Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter Emm Gryner Shares Pop Soul Track “Jack”
Detroit radio formed the soundtrack of Emm Gryner‘s life and career, and her brand new record is a celebration of that music. From Motown, jazz, and pop, to Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac, and the Doobies, Business & Pleasure (out April 14th) is infused with the sunshine soul, and stellar playing of the late 70s and early 80s.
Ahead of the album’s release, Gryner is sharing a new single entitled “Jack.” Inspired by Jack Wagner’s 1984 song “All I Need” and his love of golf, it’s a reminder that every passion you have ever had, even the most unlikely, can become the stuff of creativity and joy.
Listen to “Jack” below and learn more about Emm Gryner via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I am a singer, songwriter, actor, and best-selling author. I started my own label in 1997 and have put out over 20 albums since then. I sang and played keyboards in David Bowie’s band. I also helped bring the first music video recorded in outer space to the world. In 2021, I released my book, “The Healing Power of Singing: Raise Your Voice, Change Your Life (What Touring With David Bowie, Single Parenting and Ditching The Music Business Taught Me in 25 Easy Steps” (ECW Press), and it became an Amazon bestseller. My new album celebrates Motown, jazz, and 80s pop, from Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac to The Doobie Brothers.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
Business & Pleasure is infused with the sunshine soul and stellar playing of the late 70s and early 80s. The album, released in April 2023, embodies a take on yacht rock that sails deep into the 2020s. I recorded it in Nashville, and it’s basically my dream record. All the songs were co-written with my partner, poet, and writer Michael Holmes.
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
With this album, Michael and I just had fun. We had never written together, so we decided to explore all kinds of joyful themes – a Rolling Stone article about Donald Fagen dealing with the pandemic, a song about a soap star who also golfs, a song about a shipwreck that symbolizes rebirth. I also love pulling from musical inspiration that I love – albums that I adore, beats, production, melodies.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
YES! I’m launching the album in London, Ontario, at Aeolian Hall before I head to Europe to play my first shows there. I’m playing the Pheasantry in London, UK, on my birthday – it’s a beautiful venue with a piano in Chelsea, London. I play Hamburg with some of my label mates (Shawn Lee from Young Gun Silver Fox and Carwyn Ellis), and then I play Spain for the first time. I also play in New York City in June with my Bowie bandmates Mark Plati and Everett Bradley.
What’s your goal for 2023?
To stay present. To connect people. To never give up!