Emerging singer-songwriter Emma Ogier has hit it out of the park with her debut single, “First Base.”
On the song, co-written and produced by Doug Schadt (Ashe, Maggie Rogers, Claire Rosinkranz), Emma sings of the frustration that comes with “sticking around for someone who wouldn’t stick around for you.”
The track showcases Emma’s heartfelt lyricism. Lines like, “It wouldn’t matter if I tried, my heart dangles on a coiled line, wrapped around your waist,” put her in the same league as some of her musical inspirations, including Phoebe Bridgers, Joni Mitchell, and Maggie Rogers, who recently joined her for multiple duets on TikTok.
Despite this being her first single, she isn’t new to the game. She has already performed shows in Nashville and Los Angeles, and recently wrapped up a US tour supporting Michaela Slinger.
We chatted with Emma Ogier about the single and what’s next from this up-and-coming country and indie pop artist.
What inspired your debut single, “First Base”?
“First Base” has actually been written twice. Originally by myself when I was stuck in my room with Covid-19 over winter break in 2021. The lyrics were a representation of my longing to have deeper connections with people. I felt that my mind was and is hard to understand, but there weren’t a lot of people willing to try and understand it. This idea bleeds into the concept of the version of first base being released today. That no matter what first base is for you “kissing”, “holding hands”, “sex”, the idea is that deeper relationships are being longed for. This was the first time in a song I was able to relay this feeling and since it has been a muse in many of my songs. It is special to me that it is the first and I haven’t been able to say it better. I hope listeners will also find comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone in this feeling, and I want to give them the words to say something I think we all have a hard time saying.
This is your first official release, but you have been sharing your music on TikTok for a while. What has it been like to see your audience grow on there?
It’s been really awesome to witness such wild support from so many strangers. I’m so grateful for everyone who gives me and my work the time of day!
How did you decide on “First Base” as your first single?
I think we decided on “First Base” as my debut single because it was the first song I had gotten recorded that was mixed and mastered and fully finished. It’s also a great song and was received really well by social media and when played live.
How did you and director/producer Reed Schick come up with the concept for the music video?
Well, right when I got the first rough demo of “First Base” from Doug in early October, I was so obsessed with it and probably listened to it about a million times. While listening, I came up with ideas for music videos for “First Base” and had two concepts due to the song being written twice and having similar but slightly different narratives.
In early December, my friends and I got together and recorded what was the first concept of the first space where we all ran around in little dresses. It was cute. I can’t wait to show the world that video. But when Reed Schick (director/producer) and I went in for production, we used the second idea for my music videos, which followed the storyline a bit closer. The video is a little more literal but is still a bit abstract. Reed made a storyboard that followed the story, but also just created an atmosphere and had a really cool vibe.
If you could set fans up in the perfect environment to listen to the single, what do you imagine it looking like?
Anywhere they want to! I feel like the song has a versatile sound that could be consumed alone to process something or out with people having a good time. It’s a pretty cool song to hear live, so it’s fun to imagine people listening to it at one of my shows too.
You recently wrapped up a US tour supporting Michaela Slinger. What was your favorite memory from that experience?
The tour with Michaela Slinger was incredible, and I learned so much. I’ve said, since I began writing music seriously, that my biggest dream is to go on tour. I’m beyond grateful to her, my team, and my parents for making that tour possible for me. Understanding how much support I’m surrounded by was so moving, and I’m just so glad to have experienced it. Touring was fun and exhausting. I relearned how bad my tendency to miss people was because for the first leg, I was solo and didn’t have anyone around me who I knew. I found myself missing my friends in Nashville and in Houston, my family, specifically, my big brother who usually plays with me, and my home.
It was so rejuvenating however to see new places and wake up in new cities every morning. Michaela and her friend/photographer Sydney made it really easy to feel comfortable and safe. They are both so kind and personable, because they are Canadian, and they inspired me to be so passionate and work hard. Props to Michaela for setting up the whole tour herself. I think it’s incredible.
What can fans expect next?
I’m planning to roll out a couple more singles over the next few months. The next song, “Consider Me A Winner,” will actually be out on July 28th and is available to pre-order now: https://ffm.to/considermeawinner. After the singles, there will be an EP that comes out. I am excited to have music out for everyone to hear. I’m super excited about the new music I’ve been working on and hope to go on another tour in the future!
What is one quote that you have heard or that you go by that you want to ECHO out to the world?
Don’t rush!