Emma Jones says the “confidence and experience behind me” from her time on Australian Idol is helping propel her into the next stage of her career. Photo: Seven Network.
After a start where it was “just me and a guitar in a pub”, Emma Jones has gone on to play for audiences of millions on national television.
She soared through her Australian Idol audition, with the Wollongong-born singer and songwriter making it past the top 12 and into the public voting rounds.
Despite entering the top eight, Emma and fellow contestant John Van Beek would recently be sent home in a dramatic elimination as Australia voted for their top six.
“The experience and the exposure was why I did it in the first place,” she told Region.
“I wanted to put myself out there, [get] out of my comfort zone, with the hopes that people would hear my voice and I would in some way from it. I feel like I’ve achieved what I set out to do, which is really cool.”
Emma and John Van Beek had their Australian Idol journeys end this year’s top six took shape. Photo: Seven Network.
But Emma said there are no hard feelings between her and her fellow contestants, with possible collaborations on the cards.
“When you’re on the show, everyone becomes quite close because you’re in the same environment and on the same journey at the same time,” she said.
“I wonder what all of them are going to and what their careers will look like. They’re all super talented.”
Emma’s time on the Idol has done nothing to dampen her enjoyment of singing – and it’s taught her more about who she is.
“It’s a really, really good experience. I didn’t have a lot of experience playing to audiences [of] that size or being on those stages and playing with a band.
“Just as a person, I think I grew a lot in understanding my voice and understanding myself,” she said.
Emma said her fond memories from the show include performing with the Goo Goo Dolls, feeling “unleashed and powerful” while singing Heaven is a Place on Earth and tackling I’ll Stand by You.
“Most weeks the judges were [saying that] ‘your voice is distinctive, it’s recognisable’,” she said.
“[I’ve realised] it’s okay to just be my authentic self, which is a massively important thing as an artist and as a person, but definitely as an artist.
“It’s encouraged me to remember I’ve been given the voice I have for a reason, and it’s distinctive on its own.”
Emma’s time on Idol was an “invaluable experience”, she said, as she looks towards the next step in her career.
“The main thing that I do and my main love is writing music,” she said.
“I have written a lot of songs before the show, but they’ve all just been sitting there. The next thing, definitely, will be bringing out my own music”
She promises Canberrans fans will be able to see her in-person, with a visit to the bush capital on the setlist.
“Canberra has a special place in my heart. The music scene has so much potential, and I’d love to be part of that on a bigger scale,” she said.
“During the show, I had a fair bit of support from Canberra, so I think there’s an audience for shows in Canberra.”
Australian Idol is currently airing on the Seven Network and the 7plus streaming service.
