Emma McKenna and Canadian Wildlife at Hype House
Emma McKenna’s name has been tossed around a lot since I moved to Toronto some two years ago. For whatever reason, my friends were always telling me about seeing her play or just wondering out loud when she would finally release an album. Once I finally heard Emma’s music, I understood exactly why everyone was always talking about her.
I’ve listened to her album three times today knowing I would have to write about it, and I still can’t come up with a good way to describe it. She’s a singer-songwriter, that much I do know, but don’t let that paint a picture of her as an acoustic folk balladeer. Simply put, Emma is fierce, with a voice that grabs you by the ear and doesn’t let go (in a good way).
I’m getting ahead of myself though, so let me back up. In March, my roommates Adam, John and I hosted CMWTF?!, a house show featuring acts not officially playing Canadian Music Fest. John is friends with Emma so he asked her to play and I was delighted when she said yes. I thought the show went over pretty well, and I guess Emma did too because a few months later she approached us about playing our apartment again, this time to celebrate the release of her long-awaited debut album, Run With It. Obviously we said yes, and the date June 11th was decided upon. Our friends Jenny and Casey Mecija (of Ohbijou) opened the show as Canadian Wildlife, and Emma’s set had special guests in the form of Katie Stelmanis and Tasseomancy.
Yes, it was a pretty special night, and with over 100 people in attendance it was a huge success. Check out the video to hear Emma play a song that isn’t on her album.