Emma Lou and the Agenda set tongues wagging and pulses racing when they made their Irish TV debut on the Late Late Show a few weeks ago, performing B.P. Fallon’s Hot Tongue with the man himself. Like many ‘90s kids, Emma Lou dreamed of being a Spice Girl and has no qualms admitting that the ‘Wannabe’ singers inspired her to write her first song at the tender age of seven.
Whilst she’s still a big pop music fan, Emma Lou’s musical influences diversified as she got older, and the music she makes with Emma Lou and the Agenda Emma has clearly been steered by her love of the bluesy Etta James, Prince’s funk, with touches of R’n’B and rap from the likes of Janelle Monae and Nicki Minaj, not to mention the jazzy element heard throughout, which has been drawing comparisons the late Amy Winehouse.
Emma Lou is an advocate for cystic fibrosis awareness, as she lives with the condition herself, and sometimes faces up to three hours of treatment a day. She hasn’t let it hold her back, though, and even says that her doctors have always encouraged her to sing as it gives her lungs a workout.
Here, she tells Sheena Madden how important mental and physical wellness are for managing her cystic fibrosis symptoms and leading a full and healthy life.
1. Tell us about a typical working day for you, if you have such a thing.
I always make sure to exercise first thing in the morning; it sets me up for the day physically and mentally so I never skip it. Then it’s usually breakfast then out to walk the dogs before I head off to do whatever it is I need to do. Usually I spend time writing in the morning. Right now, we’re getting ready to go back into the studio to record our second release, so a lot of writing is happening at the minute. Then I’ll post some updates on social media, then it’s off to rehearsal with the band.
2. What do you do in your down time?
I love to read! My Kindle is my best friend; well it was until it was stolen recently, so now I guess books are my best friends - along with my doggies of course! They are hilarious and nothing makes me happier after a bad day than rolling around the floor with them (my dogs, not the books).
3. How important is down time to you?
It is incredibly important to me. The band has been getting busier and busier, which is great, but there has been a lot for me to juggle, which I find hard, so I’m quickly learning the importance of ‘me-time’.
4. How much down time do you get & do you prioritise it?
Lately I do prioritise it. As much as I love what I do, it can get very stressful so I have to make sure I switch off even for 10 minutes every day if I can. Again that is usually in the form of wrestling my dogs for a while but hey, whatever works. And yes, I am dog-crazy!
5. What do you do to unwind before bed?
If I’ve had a particularly long day, I’ll get into bed at around 9:30 with a book and I’ll write in my journal. Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I find journaling, even for a few minutes, can really help me to de-stress. If I feel like being extra indulgent I might light some candles too. And obviously, a cup of tea is always part of the equation!
6. What do you like to treat yourself with that’s ‘just for you’?
Anyone who knows me knows that I could eat for three-ish people, so I love a night to myself where I can order a take-away on my own (pizza, always pizza!). I am a huge fan of black and white movies so one of them, some pizza and Oreos - that’s how I treat myself, and I always make sure my phone is switched off. Oh, and my dogs are always there too - it wouldn’t be the same without them.
7. What are the signs that let you know it's time to slow down a bit or take a holiday?
Well I have Cystic Fibrosis so usually when that starts to flare-up I do have to listen and act accordingly. I definitely get sick more often when I am stressed, so once I’m stressed I can pretty much predict the grand arrival of a chest infection. With CF out of the equation though, when I start to nearly feel detached from myself and I’m just going through the motions, I know I need to slow down.
8. Do you pay as much attention to your mental health as you do your physical health?
Absolutely. Like I mentioned earlier, as the band has been getting busier this year, I have really realised the importance of good mental health. I try to check in with myself on a daily basis to ask myself how I’m doing. I pay a lot of attention to that now and I’m all the better for it.
9. How important are diet and exercise to you when it comes to maintaining good mental health?
Very important. I start every morning with a run on the treadmill then a walk with the dogs. Whether it’s the endorphins from the run or just being in the company of my woofies, I am always happily set up for the day. In terms of diet, yes it is very important to me. I do eat a lot but it is balanced, not just pizza and Oreos... I swear!
10. Do you have a 'calm down quick' tip?
Usually if I turn my phone off and just try to be present, even for a couple of minutes, I can literally feel my worries dissipate. It’s a really nice feeling.
Emma Lou & The Agenda play The Purty Loft, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin on Friday 4th November. Their self titled debut EP is out now.
