By: Sindy
Sindy:: Hi Esmee, where are you calling from today?
Esmee:I’m calling from Manchester, from the UK!
Sindy:: Cool! So you got your start making videos on YouTube and now Billboard is saying you’re the next big thing—how are you handling all this?
Esmee:: It’s definitely crazy, I never thought this could happen from putting cover songs up on YouTube but it’s been a dream of mine for a long time so I’m just so excited that I get to do all of this!
Sindy:: Now your album is dropping on Justin Timberlake’s label—how did JT find you?
Esmee: When my YouTube videos started getting attention I got a lot of emails from record companies and Justin was setting up Tenman Records—he’d heard about me so he scheduled a meeting and I got to meet him for the first time on his FutureSex/LoveSounds tour so that was really incredible.
Sindy:: Were you a big fan of Justin Timberlake before you met him?
Esmee: Yeah definitely, I’ve always loved his music and looked up to him—to be able to even meet him was great!
Sindy:: What’s it been like working with him?
Esmee: It’s been a lot of fun; Justin really let me be creative and let me write and work with a lot of writers and producers then Justin and I started working together one-on-one and wrote another couple songs.
Sindy:: Yeah you’ve always done covers, so writing original material must be a big step.
Esmee: It’s discovering another side—I always wanted to write and now I have all the tools to develop that, it's great.
Sindy:: Who are some of your influences?
Esmee:: My dad used to have a lot of records around the house so I always leaned toward soul—Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye—then I developed my own style. I grew up listening to Janet Jackson, Beyonce, Alicia Keys.
Sindy:: Those are all really powerful women—would you say your music has the same “go girl” kind of message?
Esmee:: Yeah that was something I really wanted on the album. The single, Outta Here is like that and there’s a song I wrote with Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic—I think it’s important to hold your own and never let anyone put you down.
Sindy:: For sure. So what are you up to now?
Esmee:: I’m doing the pre-show for Enrique Iglesias in Europe right now and my single is available on iTunes now and it’s going to come out on May 22nd in Europe—then I’ll be in the U.S. to tour, I can’t wait!
Sindy:: Whoa, how’s it been touring with Enrique?
Esmee:: It’s been amazing, he’s such a nice guy and to be on such a big tour like this is great. I got to perform in Rotterdam I got to sing Takin' Back My Love on stage with Enrique! It’s really fun seeing how people react to my own songs.
Sindy:: Are you still living in the Netherlands?
Esmee:: I travel so much so whenever I have time off it’s good to be with my friends and family so yeah, I do.
Sindy:: What about your style—how would you describe it?
Esmee:: I like to mix feminine with toughness—I like leather jackets and heels so I mix it up a little bit.
Sindy:: Has Justin lent you any pieces from his William Rast line?
Esmee:: Oh yeah actually I got a really great jacket from William Rast and his jeans are a really great fit for me.
Sindy:: Do you have any advice for other singers on YouTube trying to get noticed?
Esmee:: I had no clue, I just wanted to show people what I could do—whether it’s playing a song on the Internet or doing a talent show—do whatever you can do to get people to notice you. Just have fun with what you’re doing because that shows. Don’t be afraid!
Sindy:: Awesome, thanks Esmee!
Esmee:: Thanks Kidzworld!
Related Links:
