‘Catch of the Day’ – Emily Vance [VIDEO] “Serendipity”

Today our Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday spotlight falls on an 18-year old singer/songwriter from the Atlanta area, who has been compared to Taylor Swift in regards to her songwriting and inner drive.

Born in Ft. Worth, TX, Emily Vance first discovered her "voice" while participating in the Gwinnett School of Music’s “School of Rock” program. Like Swift, Emily draws from the most intimate details of her life to write lyrics that connect with girls her age. Her debut EP, Finding My Way, is made up of songs that showcase not only her emotional power as a vocalist, but also her increasing craft and depth as a songwriter. Emily’s musical journey began at age 11 when she took piano lessons with a woman from her family’s church. Emily was a natural, and the first song she recalls singing for anyone besides her teacher was an old hymn she shared with her parents.

After her piano teacher moved away, one day Emily went to a local mall, where she saw a booth for the Gwinnett School of Music. Emily decided to sign up for private lessons there a few days a week. While at Gwinnett, she signed up for the program's "Rock Band" program, auditioning as a lead vocalist, which exposed Emily to the music of performers like Led Zepplin, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Alannis Morrisette.

She won three awards at the program's first performance, including an award for best stage presence and another for best vocalist. But more important than the awards, Emily was not only beginning to make industry contacts, but getting the ear of people that could help her on her journey. Nina Baldridge, a recording industry veteran had been a judge at the competition, but it wasn't until seeing Vance perform at a car show that Baldridge approached the young singer about working together on a EP.

Their work together led to a 2013 Georgia Music Awards for Best Video for Vance's song "Youth"; she took home another GMA in 2014 for best new artist. The EP Finding My Way was released last November.

From that EP comes today's featured song. Today's Unsigned/Indy Artist Thursday Catch of the Day is Emily Vance and "Serendipity", new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.