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Carrying on from where here debut album left off, OCEANS/DEPART, the new EP from Emma Rugg is another thing of genuine beauty and grace. Leaving you with the same level of disbelief as to why she isn't a household name, this is another collection of songs to entrance and beguile.
OCEANS is the kind of song that seems destined to change her fortunes very soon, catchy as hell and with a subtle charm that slowly takes you over. Managing to tower over the recent crop of female singer/songwriters like KT Tunstall, Katie Melula and the like by some height, Emma Rugg comes across like a UK version of Laura Veirs creating intelligent and snappy songs powered by a crystalline voice and unbridled charisma. The more downbeat DEPART is a collaboration with US musician Henry Doss and provides further proof as to the shining future Emma Rugg is facing. At once both heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a song that tugs the heartstrings and swells the emotions - all the while leaving you in awe-struck wonder at the breathtaking voice beneath.

WHEN I LOOKED @ YOU is a power pop departure that amps up the guitars and energy levels, sounding like a glorious collision between The Go Go's and the Throwing Muses while the still mesmerising PRELUDE TO THE END from the debut album is welcome reminder of previous glories.
Emma Rugg is someone who deserves to be a huge star, she has a voice that can go from heartbroken chanteuse to power pop wonderment in the blink of an eye and the kind of songwriting skills that put most other singer/songwriters to shame at the moment. If there's any justice in the world, this is the record that will see Emma emerge as the star she deserves to be - buy this record now.
HULL, EAST YORKSHIRE (UK) – Singer / songwriter Emma Rugg is releasing a new EP, entitled ‘Oceans/Depart’. The EP is made up of tracks she recorded in England and in the US.
This new material departs from Emma’s debut album “Isolated Impression, and marks a significant change in direction, one which her fans will surely welcome. The release is being handled by Emma’s own label, Indreams Records.
It features quirky, catchy and upbeat songs about telephone wires, cables and connections, and something new for Emma: a full band sound on every track.
“Experience often changes perspective, as the world becomes a more familiar place, we start to see things differently around us, I think that the music and the messages behind the songs reflect a bigger picture than before, and will hopefully have a more widespread appeal in doing so.
The new material was recorded and produced in both the UK and in the USA.
“Oceans” was recorded at Fairview Studios in England, and produced by Emma’s long-time friend and mentor, John Spence. It is a very upbeat, almost “pop” tune that was penned almost entirely on a flight into Chicago.
The other two tracks -- “Depart” and “When I Looked At You” -- were recorded and produced in Copemish, Michigan, USA, as the result of a number of special collaborations with US musician Henry Doss. Since Rugg and Doss hooked up to record they have worked on other material and projects together including new songs by both artists. John Beland, a member of the legendary Flying Burrito Brothers, and producer to the likes of Rick Nelson and Linda Ronstadt, produced both tunes.
The song Depart is a song about ‘the state of Michigan,” It is a hauntingly lyrical tune and features Rugg’s voice in a very special way.
“When I Looked @ You” has an interesting history. It was first recorded during Rugg and Doss’s first collaboration, at the end of the session when everyone just got together and blasted out a few rough takes of the track (which they’d never really heard until ten minutes before hand). That cut lingered for a while in the “working material” file.
That night, the bass player of Henry’s band named the song. “We all stood outside after we had finished the track, and the first star over that part of the sky was there, and John Hefty said: “Well, why don’t you just call it ‘When I Looked @ You’? Whenever I hear the title it reminds me of how great it was, to be a part of something like that and how exciting it was; we have a great time working on our collaborations, these recordings will always be special.
During the second collaboration session, Rugg dusted off the original rough take and suggested it be redone. The result is this new version of the track, recorded at the same studio.
“There has always been something magical happening when Emma is in the studio,” said Doss. “Everyone seems to respond in a special way. That night, the band just got behind Emma and the tune, and it was a wonderful thing to watch!”
Rugg and Doss plan to continue working together on their collaborative efforts, including their first ever live performance together in June, in the USA.
“I would like to thank Henry for helping me to continue to put my music out there. Our friendship is something that has come from two people being played on the same radio station and I can’t imagine what life would be like if we all didn’t know each other now. Henry has done things for my music that I would never have imagined could happen. Not only are we the best of friends but we also love each other's music.”
This new release follows Emma Rugg’s critically acclaimed debut recording “Isolated Impression.” That initial album has been met with enormous industry praise and recognition. It is available through www.emmarugg.com, iTunes, CD Baby and numerous other online distributors.
The ‘Oceans/Depart’ EP is released on the 27/7/05

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