💥 May Days - A month in the studio

Voiceovers, new compositions, BBC broadcasts, and frankly terrifying creative steps

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

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This is a potted history of what’s been going on in my studio during May.

This might seem chaotic but honestly, it’s been pretty systematic - getting things done task by task. It’s all part of the multi-hyphenate freelance life!

Ready? Buckle up. 🔥

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🎙️ Voice, broadcast & BBC life

🌍 Every weekday this month, (as usual) I’ve been behind the mic, recording a bunch of voiceover projects for commercials, corporate presentations and conferences across the globe.

📻 Each Monday, I start to write and prepare the Saturday Breakfast show for BBC Radio 3. It’s one of the joys of my week: writing the script, researching the music and crafting a playlist for listeners to wake up to. I love it.

👂 I’ve also been invited back to guest-present Pick of the Week for BBC Radio 4. I’m delighted to be asked to do this iconic show again. It’ll be aired on 15th June. You can listen to my previous episode here.

🔔 On the podcast front, I’ve recorded new material for Laura Shavin’s The Offcuts Drawer and recorded an episode for Keith Wickham’s I Know That Voice.

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🎼 Composition, research & creative work

🎵 This month, I finished White Smoke, a new piece for string quartet. (You can read about its creation here). Then I reimagined it for SATB choir. The choral version needed different compositional techniques - more breath, and passing the notes between sections - but the emotional core remains the same. I’ve also written the libretto for this piece.

🎭 My one-woman play (working title) Dad Bought Me a Grave is now complete and out in the wild, being read and considered. It’s a dark, dark comedy drama. Yikes! Writing it felt closer to composing than scripting, to be honest. There are themes, motifs, recapitulations, weird cadences and jarring key changes. Top fun!

📕 My new children’s book, Virtually Me is out next month! Here’s a sneak peek.

🎓 I also presented my PhD research at the RNCM’s annual conference — exploring voice, radio, and how my background as a voice actor influences how I compose music. I can’t believe I’m now halfway through my PhD!

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🌊 Musical collaboration at Real World Studios

One of the real highlights this month: I’ve begun collaborating with Adrian Utley of Portishead and Grammy award-winner Hans-Martin Buff as part of the Flow project at Real World Studios.

This work is still unfolding, but the process has been inspiring. I’ll share more as it evolves.

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🎨 Graphic Scores & Art Work

Have you ever sat on something for ages, putting off doing something about it? Well, this month, I finally plucked up the courage to start reaching out to collectors and galleries about my graphic scores.

I’ve also begun early discussions with another artist about the possibility of doing a shared show. Still in seed stage, but exciting.

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🧭 Coaching & Creative Conversations

I’ve continued offering one-to-one creative communication coaching. I really enjoy this work - helping others clarify their message, shape their ideas, and trust their own voice. If you’d like to know more about this and maybe even book a 1:1 session with me, click here.

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☕ In between moments

May has been chock-a-block! I’ve also binge-watched White Lotus, read The Bee Sting, devoured the Weird in the Wade podcast and eaten a LOT of toast.

If your own month has been messy, joyful, or just a bit relentless - well, you’re not alone. That’s definitely how it looked here.

I’d love to hear what your May looked or sounded like - reply or leave a comment if you fancy sharing.

Thanks for reading. More soon!

Emma

PS My favourite joke this month: I understand that the composer Delius was an amazing cook...but that could just be a Delius myth. (Sorry). 😂

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🎧 Paid subscribers can hear the audio version of this post below, with bonus content. ✨

This is a whistle-stop tour of the month…and is a pretty usual description of a freelance creative’s life. You’ve just gotta keep at it…have a listen.