Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Cameron
Hi Emma, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Early Beginnings:
Emma Cameron’s journey in the arts began at a tender age. Starting as a performer and dancer at just 5 years old, Emma was already dancing and modeling professionally by the age of 12. Her musical talents began to take shape when she picked up the guitar at age 8, and by 16, she was performing live with bands, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
Artistic Vision:
Emma Cameron, both as a member of Decades and as Emma Dilemma, embodies a fearless approach to music and artistry. She defies conventions, blending music, art, comedy, and social activism into a cohesive whole. Her work invites listeners to embrace the absurdity of life, and her dedication to her craft continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
Decades:
Emma’s first major band, Decades, marked a significant milestone in her career. Formed in Christchurch, New Zealand, the band quickly made waves in the rock scene. Decades, comprised of Emma Cameron (guitar, vocals, songwriter), Liam Muir (guitar, songwriter), Daniel Perry (drums), and Curtis Booth (bass), captured attention with their powerful sound and emotionally charged lyrics.
Signed to Warner Music Group, Decades achieved notable success with four Top 20 rock radio airplay singles. Their debut album, The Truth and Other People, peaked at #17 on the Official New Zealand Top 40 album chart. The album featured the hit single The Right Mistake, which garnered over half a million streams and stayed on Spotify’s New Zealand Viral 50 chart for two weeks, peaking at #6. The band accumulated nearly 1 million plays/streams online, with approximately 90% of these on Spotify since their presence began on the platform in November 2016.
Decades released two records in New Zealand, including an independently released EP under the band name ‘Ashei’ and an album under Warner Music New Zealand. The band also released nine music videos, three of which became Top 20 rock radio hits with support from NZ On Air. Their national tours and performances at major events solidified Decades as a staple in the New Zealand rock music scene.
Emma Dilemma:
In 2021, Emma embarked on a solo career under the moniker ‘Emma Dilemma,’ a project that defies traditional genre boundaries. As the self-proclaimed ‘patron saint of self-sabotage,’ Emma Dilemma’s music blends absurdity, melody, and storytelling, creating a unique sound that resonates deeply with her fans. Her debut EP, SPIT: SIDE A, and subsequent full-length album, SPIT, released on July 1, 2022, showcased her diverse musical influences, drawing from 90s grunge, bubblegum pop, hip-hop, and dance.
Emma Dilemma’s debut album made a significant impact, debuting at #3 on the New Zealand Official Album Charts. Her music, described as a vibrant tapestry of emotions, received critical acclaim, with NZ Musician Magazine praising her eclectic sound and fearless songwriting.
Emma continues to push boundaries with her music, releasing new tracks and music videos in 2023 and 2024. Notably, she teamed up with the iconic Kiwi rock band Tadpole for their first shows in over 20 years. Endorsed by Tadpole’s original vocalist Renee Brennan, Emma took over vocal duties for the May/June 2024 tour, breathing new life into Tadpole’s classic sound.
General Experience:
Emma has also collaborated with renowned producer Gil Norton, known for his work with artists such as Pixies, Foo Fighters, and Counting Crows.
Her touring history includes performances with popular New Zealand bands such as Shihad, Villainy, Zed, and Tadpole, as well as appearances at major music festivals, including New Zealand’s largest, Electric Avenue.
Emma has been invited to attend exclusive songwriting camps APRA SongHubs in New Zealand and Sync Conference SyncPosium.
She has been commissioned to write songs for films by Nickelodean and the NZ Film Commission.
Emma also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Design and has run a creative marketing agency – www.gaagency.co.nz – for 7+ years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When is it ever a smooth road!? I think if your career feels like a smooth road then your ambitions aren’t big enough! The main struggles I’ve encountered as an artist have been internal; the fight with the self of whether I’m good enough, whether the hustle, financial and time investments are worth the perceived ‘payoff’ of any achievement reached. The mental health struggles are definitely the hardest.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My whole life I’ve never had one area of expertise; I’m a ‘finger in all of the pies’ kind of artist.
I’m a Singer / Songwriter / Topliner / Producer / Guitarist / Performer / Dancer / Stage Performance Coach / Vocal Performance Coach / Creative Director / Graphic Designer / Videographer / Web Developer / Digital Marketer / And More…
What I’m most proud of and what sets me apart from others is my live performance – my happy place is on a stage moving and grooving and interacting with an audience. I’m proud of my ability to captivate and inspire an audience. I like to make people laugh, too. I know how to command a crowd and I love doing it.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
To be able to let go – I tend to worry or get anxious about things I think haven’t gone ‘right’ – especially in a live performance setting, but I’ve learned that most of my perceived mistakes or mishaps actually go totally unnoticed by an audience. When I was on tour earlier this year, I was really sick for about 4 of the shows and it felt like to me I could barely make any noise with my voice let alone sing well – but the reviews the next day briefly mentioned my sickness but that they couldn’t even tell! If those reviews didn’t happen I wouldn’t have had the reminder that I’m putting bigger pressure on myself than my audience is, and I would’ve found it a lot harder to let go of that sense of letting my band mates or the audience down. But it reminded me of the power of letting go of those negative thoughts and just focussing on delivery the best version of me I can at any moment no matter what I’m dealing with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.emmadilemma.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmadilemma5000
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmadilemma5000
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/emmadilemma
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Bz8OzkEaUthdSiLdigKdm
Image Credits
Jack Mensah / Muzic.net.nz
Charlie Rose Creative
Aaron Lee Photography
Maryanna Bilham
Triebels Photography
Emma Cameron
