Emma Harner on Audiotree Live (Full Session)

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00][Music] What's good y'all? Welcome back to Audio Tree Live, the place to find your new favorite band. I am your loving host, Psalm 1, and today is Friday, August 22nd, 2025. Guitar girls, and rock nerds, we are really eating today. Now, you want technical mastery and raw lyricism, and with this next artist, we got you. Ladies, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Emma Herner.

[00:00:33]I've been inside out.

[00:00:38]I've been upside down.

[00:00:42]I've been better off.

[00:00:46]I've been Oh my god.

[00:00:51][Music] I've been leaving rooms in your old band shoes.

[00:01:05]They don't fit me well.

[00:01:10]Who are you to tell? So, it's a false alarm.

[00:01:16]Can I stand you?

[00:01:20]Lately, I've been up in arms.

[00:01:24]Don't know what to say. So I sit with it.

[00:01:30]Take a walk to cope.

[00:01:34]See a stranger take it and wait for the smoke. But it's a false alarm.

[00:01:45]Can I say I've been up in arms?

[00:01:53]Don't know what to Don't know what to Don't know what to say. You'll never leave me here.

[00:02:03][Music] I think back to Im.

[00:02:11][Music] [Applause] [Music] Do you think they know what I'd give to me?

[00:02:28]City, but it's a false alarm.

[00:02:34]Can I stand lately? I've been up in arms.

[00:02:42]Don't know what to Don't know what to Don't know what to say.

[00:02:51][Music] [Music] Do it.

[00:03:23]Do it.

[00:03:25]Count me in.

[00:03:29]I was on your mind, wasn't I? With that half grin.

[00:03:37]Do it.

[00:03:39]Do it.

[00:03:41]Hear me out.

[00:03:45]I was on the call. I heard it all. And I'm not proud.

[00:03:54]It's just give me what I need.

[00:03:58]Give me everything.

[00:04:01]Tell me what you need.

[00:04:04]If it isn't anything, [Music] Do it.

[00:04:23]Do it.

[00:04:25]Let me win.

[00:04:29]I was out the door and on the floor when it set in.

[00:04:36]Do it.

[00:04:38]Do it.

[00:04:40]Yes. And I get everything and nothing when the plane lands.

[00:04:53]It's just give me what I need.

[00:04:56]Give me everything.

[00:05:00]Tell me what you need.

[00:05:02]If it isn't anything, Oh, [Music] [Applause] [Music] heat.

[00:05:27][Music] Freezing is an anchor is a hug from my sister is a message in a bottle. But you have to trust the water you've done. And it's orange. So I choke and you join reason and so when I don't really get better [Music] Heat. Heat.

[00:06:34][Music] [Music] How come I didn't know you at all when you asked or before that?

[00:07:11]Bury me in it. The quiet through the crack in the door.

[00:07:20]You're sure?

[00:07:24][Music] Isn't there absolutely one right answer?

[00:07:35]Didn't you cut your tongue on the water?

[00:07:42]Weren't we just laughing at something?

[00:07:48]You slip through her fingers into nothing.

[00:07:54][Music] 20,000,000 [Music] 30,000 [Music] and it was pretty. The oldest, widest house on the main [Music] road.

[00:08:26]And though I felt it a door as cold as rain, I never saw the ghost.

[00:08:40]And I know that you won't be the same again.

[00:08:50][Music] The winding road and home but just laugh it off and never move.

[00:09:05]Another number on the news is 20,000 [Music] 30,000.

[00:09:18][Music] I believe in nothing now so I don't contradict myself. I have been fool too many times in front of you.

[00:09:38]She believes in everything I lose. I haven't heard from her in two weeks.

[00:09:47]She's not the kind of girl that has to choose to choose.

[00:09:56][Music] I have to fall too many times in front of you. You have to [Music] [Applause] Hey everybody. I consider myself an extremely smart person, but there's something that confuses me a lot over here at Audio Tree. 88% of our viewership is not subscribed to the channel and that's like crazy to me. So, I need a favor from you. If you watch the videos and you love the videos and you're not subscribed, please, it's a free and simple way to support the channel. Just hit that subscribe button.

[00:10:40]And when you do that, we promise you that we will continue to build this channel out, bring you the best bands, listen to your feedback. Honestly, bring the bands that you want to see more here at Audio Tree. So, make sure you sub up and we can continue to make this the best music channel on YouTube.

[00:10:56]>> Yes. We are here with Emma, Brad, and Sam playing together as Emma Hner. How y'all doing today?

[00:11:02]>> Doing good.

[00:11:03]>> Lovely.

[00:11:04]>> Yeah. What were you doing before you got here?

[00:11:06]>> On the airplane.

[00:11:07]>> Oh, on the airplane.

[00:11:08]>> On the airplane.

[00:11:09]>> Okay. So, straight here.

[00:11:10]>> Yeah, this very day.

[00:11:12]>> Okay. Are you stay How long are you staying here?

[00:11:14]>> Just um another day and then we're zipping back. Um, we had a great metal band in here yesterday and when they heard you were coming in here today, they all started like swooning like school girls like, "Oh my god, am I?"

[00:11:27]>> Oh my gosh.

[00:11:28]>> What is it about you that makes the metal guy swoon?

[00:11:30]>> I have no idea. But it keeps happening and every time I'm like, "This is insane." Like, you guys are insane. Oh my gosh.

[00:11:37]>> You don't know. You have no idea what it could be.

[00:11:39]>> Yeah. I I mean I think it's probably like math rock influence and like complicated guitar maybe, but I don't know. I listen to a lot of folk. I listen to a lot of Well, also Radio Head, but like you know, just kind of stuff all over and a little bit of like Prague, but not any real true metal, I don't think, is in my like listening repertoire. So, the fact that like I'm attracting all these people who are really into metal is just I don't know.

[00:12:07]It's so cool in a lot of ways. Yeah, I thought it was amazing. And then like stalking your YouTube comments, there's always like a Prague guy and they're like, "You did the 13th to the 18th and then you came back to the second and it dissident it." I love it.

[00:12:20]>> Yeah, they love numbers.

[00:12:22]>> I do too.

[00:12:22]>> Me, too. I love numbers too. I can't even lie. Like me and numbers are really good uh together. Um so did you come up with the name Math Folk or what?

[00:12:30]>> Um I did not come up with it. I had the thought like maybe three or four years ago um because I was getting into math rock and then I loved folk and I was starting to write a little like this and I Googled math folk because it became to me and I was like I bet this exists and there was maybe one Soundcloud profile of something that I clicked on and listened through and I was like this is maybe kind of what I was thinking of but not really. Um, so I some pe people have used the term before, but I am try I'm trying I'm making like a valiant effort to popularize it. I think it should be a real genre.

[00:13:07]>> You can originate, you can popularize, you can you know revitalize. So try my best.

[00:13:12]>> Yes, exactly. That's what that's what we're all doing. Um, so what do you like to nerd out most on? Tones, technique, radio head, guitar stands? What's what's your >> guitar stands?

[00:13:22]>> What's your vibe?

[00:13:22]>> Yes. Um, I feel it's probably for me technique because I I grew up playing the violin classically and a lot of that, um, kind of school of thought of like, well, we're thinking about wrist angles and phrasing and and like lines inside of lines melodically, it all comes from my, I think, classical music background. So, um, I don't know. I I think it's for me it's definitely technique. I like to play when I'm writing the same hard thing over and over again, sometimes for hours until I find the right way to play it.

[00:13:54]>> Sure. Yeah.

[00:13:55]>> It's like breathing with like really fast rappers.

[00:13:58]>> People don't understand like you got to breathe. So, it's like you have to like build that in.

[00:14:02]>> Yeah.

[00:14:03]>> And um what kind of precautions are you taking for your fingernails these days?

[00:14:07]>> Uh so many so many. I I play in some other projects that are like more strumming the guitar. So, for that I have this whole setup. Um, I have this whole setup where I put like tape on my fingernails and stuff, but for this stuff, it's mostly fingerpicking and less strumming. Okay. So, I can get away with with nothing on my nails. Um, but they're I mean I I put like BS Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. Shout out to that product. I put it on my nails all the time.

[00:14:36]>> Run the check, Berts.

[00:14:38]>> Yes. It's like kind of conditioner for your hair for me, you know, like I don't know. I just put it on after I wash my hands or before I go to bed and then it like I don't know. I I feel like it really soaks into the nail and makes it strong.

[00:14:51]>> No, it probably does.

[00:14:52]>> Probably >> because there are things. Yeah. Right.

[00:14:54]Probably like wink wink. Who knows? They probably says it on the side of the thing. But you know, you do have to like take care of them. So I want you to ensure them >> your fanges one of these days.

[00:15:06]>> Yeah. Um, you have an uncanny ability for using simple language to describe complex ideas. Are you just like lyrically beasty naturally or do you refine your skills and think and work on how you want to get your lyrics across?

[00:15:21]>> Um, I think I am always writing about things that are happening to me in the moment. So, my songs are always very like processing as opposed to retrospective. And because of that, um, I tend to get like really in my fields and then I come up with with I I don't know. I really like to ruminate like I like to ruminate on guitars. I like to ruminate on words. Um, and I don't know.

[00:15:43]I think probably the answer is that I I I think about my lyrics a lot, but it's not something that I practice lyric writing. I know a lot of people do journaling and they do this and that to make it easier for them, but that's never really worked for me. I I guess I the way that I practice is I keep writing. songs, but sometimes writing one song can take me months or years.

[00:16:05]Um, because usually because of the lyrics.

[00:16:08]>> Really? Yeah. So, and you usually are you starting with music first or or then the lyrics? Most times. Okay.

[00:16:14]>> Yeah. They're usually super separate for me and then I'll like merge them together at some point. Like I have all these lyrical ideas in my phone and then I have all these guitar ideas and then sometimes I'll be like, "Okay, what what do I think could fit >> can match?" Yeah.

[00:16:27]>> And then I tweak each of them until they work perfectly together. Nice. Um, who are some of your artistic influences that may not be so obvious?

[00:16:37]>> Um, I would say, oh man, I feel like with me it's all pretty obvious.

[00:16:44]>> Like I I've mentioned Radio Head, >> of course, >> I'll continue to mention it. Um, and then also like my favorite folk artist, Gregory Alenov. Paul Simon is big for me. Um, I listened to a lot of Paul Simon when I was first getting into playing guitar. Um, and I don't know, just the way that he writes and tries to use every note. There are songs where he's like trying to use every all 12 at some point. Um, I don't know that I consciously try to do that, but yeah, I mean, oh jeez, my brain is blanking times a million.

[00:17:16]>> No, that's okay. That is a perfect answer.

[00:17:19]>> Okay, beautiful.

[00:17:19]>> Um, so your social media is really great and educational. Do you teach offline, too? Um, sometimes just a little bit and not that much. Like I I have I have like my little Substack where I I post articles about more nerd things and some people that I've met through there I've connected with and like done online lessons and things and that's always really fun. I'm a big >> nerd and I I love to talk about guitar and think about guitar and talk to other people about guitar. So I'm I'm just so glad that people are willing to listen to me about it.

[00:17:53]>> Yeah. Sure. Who knows if they should be, but >> how concerned are you with keeping a competitive edge?

[00:17:58]>> A competitive edge?

[00:18:00]>> Yeah.

[00:18:00]>> I've never even thought about that before. I'm trying to find my niche, I think, rather than be like competitive.

[00:18:06]To me, I would rather find something that no one else is doing >> instead of like trying to find something like do something that everyone's doing but better than them. I think that just sounds like >> really stressful.

[00:18:17]>> That's a lot. Yeah. Um, so what's next for you that you're really looking forward to? I know we we kind of hinted at tour later this year.

[00:18:26]>> Yes, I'm touring in November. Really excited. Um that's going to be awesome and fun. My first headline shows all time. I am quite excited.

[00:18:36]>> Nice.

[00:18:37]>> Yes. And yeah, I'm working on new music.

[00:18:40]Um I have a new song coming out in early September.

[00:18:43]>> Okay, so we getting more.

[00:18:44]>> Yes.

[00:18:45]>> Nice. And before we get back into the music, can you just uh shout out real quick your lovely band mates?

[00:18:51]>> Yes. Okay. This is Bradley Fisk.

[00:18:53]>> Hello.

[00:18:54]>> Hello.

[00:18:55]>> Yes. Drummer extraordinaire. And Sam Anderson on the bass.

[00:18:58]>> Hey.

[00:18:59]>> Hey.

[00:19:01]>> It's okay.

[00:19:02]>> Hey.

[00:19:04]>> Well, very nice to have y'all here.

[00:19:06]Thank you so much. And let's get back into it.

[00:19:09]>> Okay.

[00:19:11][Music] The lake, the drive, the smile on the right. I hate this song. The wave, the light, the performance.

[00:19:49]I know.

[00:19:52]I've been thinking ahead.

[00:19:58]Why don't we call it what it is?

[00:20:08]You've been leaving for dead all of your promises.

[00:20:19][Music] Oh, [Music] [Applause] you love this song. The dark, the room.

[00:20:48]I slept until noon. The pink motel, the sea, the dream, a converence on the phone last night. The glow, the call, the lights on the wall, the conversation.

[00:21:08]I've been thinking ahead.

[00:21:14]Why don't we call it what it is?

[00:21:24]You've been leaving for dead all of you pro [Music] and I'm not ready.

[00:21:43]world.

[00:21:46]Here I am again, stuck.

[00:21:54]Forget me on the carpet in the middle of the night.

[00:22:02][Music] I've been thinking ahead.

[00:22:10]Why don't we call it what it is?

[00:22:20]You've been leaving for dead all of your proes.

[00:22:29][Music] [Applause] [Music] Oh [Music] yeah.

[00:22:46]Oh, [Music] [Music] down the shoot. We're all the same.

[00:23:13]Yeah, if you could see this rain fox or rabbit bucket or pill [Music] Quiet house and evening star.

[00:23:58][Music] The I feel left a nasty scar [Music] list to do now. Empty still.

[00:24:23][Music] You didn't fail.

[00:24:32][Music] Once you're the matter, isn't it over and over that you fill the niche.

[00:25:08]runs and cracked beaks.

[00:25:13]Over and over, over and over, over and over, over and over.

[00:25:33][Music] Gorgeous girl inside her room.

[00:25:48]Lie to her. Why wouldn't you?

[00:25:57]Autoatic [Music] paper trail.

[00:26:05]Run and catch it through the veil if you've got nowhere to run.

[00:26:22]But find yourself so innocent.

[00:26:31]Force the habit break the nail.

[00:26:49][Music] You were in love with me that summer.

[00:27:02]If it's true, I tell me now.

[00:27:06]Put down the camera.

[00:27:09][Music] You're just a picture of dad.

[00:27:14][Music] I'd call your bluff. You'd let me drive if I was better.

[00:27:33]Taking my side. I got you there. It gave me hell. It's just as wild.

[00:27:46]Go ahead, make the joke.

[00:27:50]You know I hate to watch you try make a face like it's nothing.

[00:27:59]Get caught in a lie.

[00:28:03]I'd call your blood. You'd let me drive.

[00:28:09]If I was better taking my side, I got you there. You gave me hell. It's just our world. It's just as well to take me for a push over.

[00:28:31][Music] I'll never be more than what I am.

[00:28:40][Music] I understand.

[00:28:47]You take me for push over.

[00:28:52][Music] I'll never be what I am.

[00:29:03][Music] Understand?

[00:29:09][Music] Radio way too loud. Turn it down for a minute.

[00:29:24][Music] Tell me I saved your life. I know I didn't.

[00:29:32][Music] >> Yes. And yes, at home audience, after you watch this session, if you haven't already, go watch the video for Yes Man.

[00:29:53]It's a beautifully shot hoot and a holler. And a massive thank you to Emma Herner for joining us today. And as always, major love to our camera ops, engineers, dogs, artists, and editors here at Audio Tree, spreading the gospel of live music. Emma's headlining a tour, like we said, this fall, so get tickets when she's in your area and take a friend with you. Also, get into her amazing work, including the great new EP, Taking My Side. And like I always say, baby dolls, likes are good, but subscribing to Audio Tree means you get these videos at the top of your feed as soon as they drop. Get cool merch at audiotree.shop. And if you're more of a listener than a watcher, you can stream this session on all the streaming platform things. Finally, follow Audi Tree on social media for more fun content. I'm Psalm 1 signing off. And remember y'all, stay dangerous and drive safe, please. See you next time. Peace.

[00:30:49]All right. So, you guys want to do it for real now?