Emily Chambers is a dynamic vocalist with a sultry tone and a powerhouse range. Inspired by classic soul and R&B, she combines an old school Motown vibe with hints of hip hop and a little bit of Southern grit, to give you a fresh sound that hits you in the gut.
After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston on a vocal scholarship, Emily took to the streets of Europe busking her way across the South of France and Italy; It was there that she began to hone the voice that commands attention. Arriving home in Vancouver, Emily teamed up with a local producer to make her first album Feet on the Ground released in 2011. Thirsty to perform live again, Emily formed a 5 piece soul/pop/funk band called Champagne Republic. The band began writing together and recorded a self-titled 6 track EP with producer Paul Shatto in the summer of 2014. After 5 years, Emily decided it was time to venture out on her own and left the band that December.
In the last two years Emily has quit her day job to pursue music full time and independently released her first solo EP
Magnolia
, produced by John Raham at Afterlife Studios. In the summer of 2016 she hit the festival circuit around BC, performing at Kispiox Valley Music Festival and Harmony Arts Festival among others. In the fall, Emily planned and completed a 10 week US tour, performing in LA, Oklahoma, Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, Nashville, New York City and more. Some shows of note include her performance at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC and opening up for R&B artist Andy Allo at The Mint in LA. With the September 2016 release of her solo EP Magnolia, Emily has received glowing reviews from local and national press:
“It follows in the tradition of impassioned soul records. It has the warmth, intimacy and confessional tone of classic soul. The horns float like an Otis Redding album, her singing sometimes recalls Etta James, the vibe is Motown.” – Tom Harrison, The Montreal Gazette
“A fresh, captivating 21-minute listen that pays homage to Chambers’ classic soul influences and puts her soaring voice at the forefront. With evocative lyrics, Chambers paints vivid pictures…that are coloured in by her compelling vocal delivery.” – Eric Mackenzie, North Shore News
“[Her] sultry no-bullshit brand of classic soul and R&B reminds me of a cross between Diana Krall and En Vogue.” – Colleen Rennison (No Sinner), Beatroute Magazine
“Equally influenced by legends like Etta James, Donny Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder, and contemporary artists like Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo, Chambers has a smooth, sultry voice that simply oozes soul.” – Amanda Siebert, Georgia Straight
Emily is currently writing new music and plans on touring Western Canada in Summer/Fall 2017.