Emine Interview Ahead of Wide Open Space Festival

We caught up with the fabulous Emine who is playing the awesome Wide Open Space festival in Australia at the end of April. 

Eminé aka Emma Kathryn Stuart is originally from Melbourne Australia. She spent 3 years in Neukölln Berlin. Went to Istanbul, bought a Saz (Turkish guitar) where she was given the name Eminé by some Turkish friends. Eminé has Played numerous gigs in Berlin, Melbourne and Alice Springs since 2014. Now living in Alice Springs singing and painting trees. Sometimes Adam from Roller One (Melbourne) joins her on double bass. 

Hey Eminé thanks for chatting to us! If you Google your name this comes up: Emine is an Arabic-origin given name used for females in Turkey. It has three major meanings: (1) one whom you can trust and believe in; (2) one who is benign and innocuous, and (3) one who is fearless and courageous. It is also argued that the word means beautiful. How did you get from Kathryn Stuart to this?

Well it’s actually ‘ Emma Kathryn Stuart’ . When I visited Istanbul my Turkish friends wanted to give me a Turkish name. Eminé was close to Emma so that was that !

It’s pretty hard for people to find that much about you or to hear much of your work. So tell us a bit about your music. Who do you draw from and what are you trying to express?

I have been playing music for years . In various bands and singing in festivals and as a back in vocalist to various acts . I also play guitar, piano and a little drums/ percussion. I am inspired by all genres of music, but I draw inspiration from life. My experiences. I’m also a painter and it’s a similar energy I draw upon when creating music or artworks. It’s hard to focus on both ,  one usually  takes precedence over the other. The gig at Wide Open is the first for a little while as I’ve been focussing on my next exhibition at Araluen Arts centre which opens April 1st. But I did recently record a little E.P in Melbourne so stay tuned for the release .
What drew you to pick up a Saz rather than a guitar perhaps?

I lived in Berlin for three years. The last year and a half I lived in Neukölln, which has a strong Turkish demographic. Summer afternoons and evenings I would hear the sounds of Turkish guitars ringing through the streets. When I visited Istanbul I couldn’t resist !

What drew you to living in Berlin?

I grew up in London and Australia. As a mixed race kid of Afro Carribean and Ozzy dissent, I was always conflicted about where home was. After spending many years in Melbourne, wanted to go back to Europe so I could re visit that side of myself. I travelled a lot around Europe and thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of living in a country of differnrt language, and in a way ‘fell off the grid’ ( something I’m always trying to achieve). After 3 years I longed for the huge Australian horizons.  To be closer to family and friends and to speak English with the lady in the milk bar.  I also longed to paint the outback landscape. So I moved to Alice Springs. I really feel like I identify as an Australian more these days, not disregarding my background and journey, but something shifted after living abroad, and I’m really happy it did.
How does living in Berlin compare to living in Australia?
It’s euro urban. What can I say… Australian cities are sprawling, and there seems to be little urban planning. In Europe, and particularly Berlin everything is planned in the urban context. I suppose this has to do with limited space. We have loads of space here in Australia. The space element definitely has an effect on your experience living in Berlin or here. In Berlin You live on top of and next to people in apartments. In a way you’re forced to have more acceptance of one another – and with that comes some kind of liberation which I really enjoy in the Europeans. For example, in the summer in Berlin you go to the lakes , everyone gets naked and no one seems to notice.  In Australia nudity on the beach is not as easily digested. I think this is a bit of a metaphor that transfers into other aspects of culture, but I won’t go into anything too political ! Both places have their Pro’s and cons. I miss Berlin and will definitely return, but the winters are a bitch. I used to love snow before I had to live with it !!

What pulled you back to Australia?

The space and the amazing landscape. Family and friends too
I read somewhere that you like to paint trees. Is that true? And what does entail?

Yes. I have a certain obsession with Australian eucalypts. I’m also a children’s book illustrator and am well known for painting Australian animals and landscapes. My mother is also a painter and is obsessed with trees. The ghost gums of the Australian outback are such inspiring a beings. They talk too. I consider them healing and very giving. Without trees we wouldn’t be here, in fact no living thing would. And how beautiful are they? I paint cropped treed desert scapes. I guess this is of interest to people as most central Australian landscape painters can’t resist capturing the vastness of the outback. I like representing the intimacy of the desert.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at Wide Open Space Festival, what do you think about the location?

I’ve been the Ross River resort many times. What can I say? It’s paradise out there. Hands down the best location for a festival!

What kind of show can we expect from you this year at Wide Open Space?

Expect melancholic pop with a middle eastern tang. My pal and fellow crooner Adam Zaid Affif ( from Melbourne’s Roller One) will be joining me on his double base. It will be mellow and dreamy and pretty fem.

Who are your picks to see at this year’s festival?

All my buddies from Alice! We will all be there supporting each other. Alice is a great community in this way. People are genuine, non judgemental and giving.

For more info and to book your tickets now, head to  https://wideopenspace.net.au