How We Create Our Sound: Indie Blues Duo Arizona-based (Emma & James Music)
- Emma Mattison
- Jun 15
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 15
Written by Emma – one half of the indie-blues duo, Emma & James.
Welcome to our blog! We’re Emma & James — a husband-and-wife indie blues duo based in Arizona — and if you’ve ever wondered how our original songs come to life, you’re in the right place. We blend grit, soul, and melody into something that feels honest, sometimes raw, and always heartfelt. In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain on how our music happens — the sparks, the process, the late-night sessions — and what we’re working on now.
Why We Became an Indie Blues Duo in Arizona
Our sound lives somewhere between moody indie and grounded, soulful blues — and honestly, we love that it doesn’t fit neatly into a box.
James developed an interest in blues history and theory, and it rubbed off on me. I come from a classical piano background, so when I first started experimenting with blues-style vocals, it opened something up in me. I didn’t know I’d fall in love with the freedom of it — the way blues lets you feel and express without overthinking.
Some of our songs lean indie, some feel more old-school blues, and some fall somewhere in between. That’s the fun part.
How Our Songs Are Born
The process is never the same twice.
Sometimes, James is messing around on the guitar after work while I’m working out or playing with our ferret, Bruce. James hits a rhythm or progression that grabs me, and next thing we know, I’m singing a melody that spills out naturally. That becomes a chorus, a verse, and eventually a whole track.
Sometimes lyrics come first — often during totally unplanned moments like biking, showering, or driving. Other times, it’s just a melody humming in my head that won’t leave me alone until I record it. The same goes for James — guitar riffs hit him during those “unplugged” moments, and we’ve both learned to capture them right away before they disappear.
We’ve written full songs in 10 minutes. Others have taken days or weeks, building piece by piece. That’s the beauty of it.
2025 Goals... and What We’ve Already Accomplished
We started 2025 with one goal: to produce and release at least one original song this year.
We’re already in production! We recorded our debut track with Bob McCarroll at his studio in Ahwatukee (if you know, you know — the warmth and polish he brings is next level), and we’re producing it with Jack Miele, a New Orleans-based multi-instrumentalist and award-winning producer. We couldn’t have asked for a better team.
Our second goal? To have two originals ready for next year’s Glendale Songwriters Convention.
Well… we passed that one too. Just this weekend at the Flagstaff Folk Festival, we performed a full 30-minute set, including five of our originals. (Stay tuned — we’ll share more about that in another post soon.)
What’s Next
We’re just getting started. We’re working on more songs — and putting real love into each one. Our goal is to keep creating intimate, powerful music that’s built on connection, storytelling, and spontaneity.
If you’re into original indie blues music and want to follow our journey:
Join our email list on our website. This will keep you in the loop regarding our releases!
And if we’ve performed live for you, we’d love it if you left us a Google review — your support means the world.
Thanks for being here,
– Written by Emma
Vocalist | Songwriter | Ferret wrangler
About the Author of this Post
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.
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