28. How to Build a Music Career Rooted in Community with Emily Drinker

Ep.028: If there’s one thing Emily Drinker knows how to do, it’s show up: on stage, in the studio, and for the Philly music scene at large.  In this episode, we finally sit down to talk about her latest project, To Feel Alive, and how she’s balancing artistry, caretaking, and community leadership all at once. From her roots in vocal looping and cruise ship gigs to a standout slot at XPN Fest and opening for legends like Pat Benatar, Emily shares what it really means to grow into yourself as an artist. This conversation goes deep on grief, ambition, burnout, and the beauty of just getting a little weirder on stage.We Chat About:How To Feel Alive became her most personal, heart-centered record to dateThe evolution from break-up songs to full-on self-exploration and healingWhy looping vocals live still feels like a magic trickHosting monthly meetups for women in music and backyard festivals with her bandWhat it was like getting added to WXPN’s rotation while she was performing on a cruise ship in EuropeHer thoughts on being political without being preachyNavigating life as a full-time artist while supporting aging parentsThe power of music as a processing tool—both personal and collectiveAbout Emily Drinker:Emily Drinker is an independent, award-winning singer-songwriter from Philadelphia. Her soulful brand of folk, pop, and rock goes down smooth, whether she’s performing with her powerhouse band, the Funky T, or in a more intimate format, incorporating live looping. Emily is an artist who has found a way to do what she does using every weapon in her considerable arsenal. Emily has been featured by NPR Music, Philadelphia’s WXPN, and played at many regional festivals including Firefly, Musikfest, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival. In the last few years, Emily has opened for Pat Benatar, Rufus Wainwright, JD Souther (Linda Ronstadt, Eagles, James Taylor), Switchfoot, Joey Dosik (Vulfpeck) and Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon’s Graceland). In addition to a busy performance schedule in Philly and its surrounding areas, Emily enjoys working as a session vocalist doing sync work for national TV shows, performing in half a dozen local bands, and hosting a festival in her backyard with her band/housemates.Connect with Emily:Website: emilydrinker.comInstagram: @emilydrinkerYouTube: Emily DrinkerFacebook: Emily Drinker MusicTwitter: @emilydrinkerSpotify: Emily Drinker on SpotifyOther Resources:Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBgCheck out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RLMusic Mentioned in this Episode:Songs:“To Feel Alive” – Emily Drinker“Something’s Coming” – Emily Drinker“Enough is Enough” – Emily Drinker“Turn Your Face to the Sun” – Emily Drinker“Fifth Ave” – Emily DrinkerAlbums & Projects:To Feel Alive – Emily Drinker (2024)Starting to Feel – Emily Drinker (2020)Run the Race (EP) – Emily Drinker (2017)Artists & Bands:Pat BenatarRufus WainwrightSwitchfootLadysmith Black MambazoPaul Simon (Graceland)The BeatlesGrace PotterRob TateThe Funky TWXPN / XPN Fest