Emma Josephine on a Tuesday Night

At 6pm on Tuesday November 4th, Emma Josephine took the stage at Tremendous Brewing Company. It’s fair to say the room was crowded, full of people ready to celebrate the brewery’s first opening. However, it is also fair to say that half the room was there to see Emma Josephine fill the room with her melodic stories. 

This was not the first time Emma’s soulful voice rang out through the brewery. The singer/songwriter has been playing shows locally since moving to Mankato in 2022, and has built up a dedicated fanbase in the three years since. Not only does she play around southern Minnesota, but she has also started branching out all over the midwest. 

While celebrators enjoyed the special chef’s dinner being prepared for them in multiple courses, Emma Josephine proved herself to be much more than background noise. She sang familiar favorites including, Angel from Montgomery and Wagon Wheel; while interspersing originals every couple of songs. One thing about Emma Josephine, she knows how to write, and boy does she know how to sing too. While those may be included traits when labelling someone a “singer/songwriter,” Emma Josephine holds the title to a much higher standard.

For example, one of my favorite songs of hers, Whiskey on a Tuesday Night*, was inspired by a simple sliver of advice from a lady at the bar. The song has a complex and melancholic melody with profound lyrics that jump out at listeners. The line – Now I’ve got some kind of hangover/I think it’s from being too sober – stands out for being a complete juxtaposition to the social normality of drinking away your troubles. The song ends on the sorrowful question of Do you ever get tipsy just to feel alright? The question feels so heavy, it sticks with listeners long after the song is over.

I was also lucky enough to actually talk to a fan of Emma’s, Mary D, while at her show. Mary attends nearly every show of Emma’s, and when I asked what made her keep coming back she shrugged as if obvious. “She’s a hardworking musician with a fresh look. I love her lyrics, she’s got depth.” As I chatted with Mary more she added that Emma also, “has got a great voice.” Plain and simple, why wouldn’t you attend an Emma Josephine show?

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*If you didn't understand the title of this blog post, you do now.