An Independent Music Journey in 2025: Learning to Take Control of Our Sound

Written by Emma – one half of the indie-blues duo, Emma & James.

January feels like a natural time to reflect on our independent music journey, and looking back on 2025, I can honestly say it was a year of learning more than anything else. Not just musically, but technically, emotionally, and logistically. James and I did not rush much this year, and in hindsight, that ended up being one of the best decisions we could have made.

A Pivotal Night at the Winter Sun Show

One of the most defining moments of the year was December 13, when James and I opened for Walt Richardson at the Chill Room for his Winter Sun concert. It was an honor to be part of that show, but it was also the night when some things became impossible to ignore.

We experienced feedback issues, and for me personally, my hearing loss made it difficult to clearly hear what was happening on stage. That is not something I can work around long-term. That night made it clear that relying on typical venue sound setups is not sustainable for us.

At the same time, that realization proved incredibly valuable.

Support That Changed Our Direction for Our Independent Music Journey

What could have been a discouraging experience turned into a meaningful turning point because of the people around us. The Richardsons, including Walt, Lillie, and Levi, along with Walt's drummer and friend, Dowel Davis, offered encouragement and perspective rather than frustration. Instead of treating the technical issues as bad luck, through their conversations with us, they helped us see it all as a sign that it was time to take ownership of our sound.

That night directly sparked what we are working on now: building our own in-ear monitoring console so we can hear clearly, protect our hearing, and create consistency in our live performances regardless of the venue.

Taking Ownership of Our Gear and Sound

That shift in mindset opened the door to several practical changes. James is now building a proper pedalboard, and we are actively refining his guitar setup so it actually supports what we do musically. We are focusing less on what is standard and more on what works for our sound and our performance needs.

One piece of advice from Dowel Davis stayed with me in a very concrete way. He told me, “Your microphone is like your axe. You need the right tool for your work.” Before the end of 2025, I invested in a microphone that truly works for my voice. That single change has already made a noticeable difference in how confident and grounded I feel on stage.

We have also been incredibly fortunate to receive guidance from Glen Gardner, whose depth of knowledge as a guitarist, singer-songwriter, and luthier has helped us better understand how much an instrument’s setup affects tone, control, and comfort. A luthier is someone who builds, repairs, and deeply understands instruments, and Glen’s insight has been invaluable as we continue refining our sound.

Lessons From Music Production

Another major lesson from 2025 was learning that music production is not something that should be rushed. Finding the right producer is not about efficiency or output. It is about alignment. Producing music works best when there is a shared vision and mutual respect for the direction the music wants to go.

We learned that the right producer does not simply execute ideas, but helps elevate them in a way that still feels authentic. That realization saved us a lot of frustration and helped us stay patient with the process. Shout out to Bob McCarroll, who has been patient with us and enjoyable to record with!

What 2025 Taught Me

More than anything, 2025 reinforced that technical challenges are not failures. They are signals. They show you where better systems, better tools, and better planning are needed. For us, this was the year we stopped accepting limitations as normal and started making decisions that support long-term sustainability as musicians.

I am deeply grateful for the community that reminded us to enjoy the process, stay flexible, and keep learning, especially the Richardsons and Dowel Davis, who showed up with generosity and clarity at exactly the right time.

As we move forward, we are doing so with clearer ears, stronger systems, and a much deeper understanding of what it means to take ownership of our sound. That feels like real progress, and it is something I am proud of.

Thanks for being here,

– Written by Emma

Vocalist | Songwriter | Ferret wrangler

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About the Author of this Post

Emma – vocalist, lyricist, and co-creator of Emma & James Music. Classically trained, emotionally grounded.

Emma is the vocalist and lyricist behind Emma & James Music.

Classically trained 20+ years in piano and dance, she blends structure and soul to create lyrics that hit home. Emma thoroughly enjoying the realm of vocal work for 4 years, courtesy of James.

When she’s not writing songs, Emma works as both an online holistic personal trainer through Emma Mattison Fitness, as well as a mentor for other trainers and health coaches in the online space, through this husband and wife team's Academy of Superior Online Coaching (ASOC).

Outside of work and music? She’s probably working out, brainstorming, or carrying around her precious ferret, Bruce.