Why Does Emilie Autumn Matter?
I first discovered vocalist/violinist/Mad Girl Emilie Autumn in 2005, after doing a search for faeries online. I found a random site, now lost to the winds of Internet limbo, of fairy-friendly musicians. Along with the likes of Tori Amos, someone named Emilie Autumn was included on that list. Intrigued by her name alone, I decided to check this unknown vocalist out.
As soon as I entered her website and heard the song "Across the Sky" (from her album, Enchant) begin to play, I was hooked. At the time, Ms. Autumn had her solo debut, Enchant, available for free. I heard songs such as "Chambermaid," "Second Hand Faith," and "Castle Down," and was beyond hooked. This was not just a talented vocalist and violinist, I felt, but a woman with strong opinions and talent to send the current crop of female musicians headed for the hills and beyond. This was, I felt, a woman with something to say.
It wasn't long into my journey through Enchant that I found myself enrolled in a History of Rock class at the local community college. As part of our grade, we were required to write a paper about a musician, coming to prominence in the past ten years or so, that we felt was important. I immediately thought of Miss Autumn and, not expecting a reply (although she had replied readily to my comments on LiveJournal), sent her a comment about how I would love to do my paper on her.
Miss Autumn kindly responded by saying that, at the time, she didn't feel she had contributed enough to allow me to devote an entire paper to her. Having spent time as a member of Courtney Love's band, The Chelsea, Autumn urged me to write my paper on Courtney, assuring me that she would send me an email about her thoughts on Miss Love. Emilie fulfilled her promise, not sending me a few mere quotes about Courtney, but a mini-essay unto itself, something I had not been expecting. I included her thoughts, in their entirety, in my paper, and received an A in the process. I sent Miss Autumn a thank you card and felt that, as her comments on LiveJournal had waned, her newfound legion of fans would leave me in the background.
As approximately five years passed, I at last found myself at an Emilie Autumn show in October of 2009. During the VIP meet and greet, I mentioned to EA that I was "the girl who emailed you about a Courtney Love paper for..." and saw her eyes immediately widen in recognition. "That was YOU?!" she exclaimed, all genuine amazement. "THAT WAS TOTALLY ME!" I exclaimed, and then immediately received a HUGE hug and much kisses on the cheeks from Emilie. She said, "we have a HISTORY!"
The story continues a bit from there, but suffice to say, Miss Emilie Autumn is one who does NOT forget her fans (known in her realm, aka The Asylum, as muffins). This is a lady who knows her muffins, appreciates their devotions, and will do anything in her power to make them feel loved and appreciated.
Now, one must wonder, what is it about Miss Emilie Autumn that is important in this modern world of dime-a-dozen pop and rock groups? What could one young lady possibly have to contribute to a world already overrun with saccharine, seedy emotions, and pretentious artists hellbent on attempting to establish a connection to their fans for a cheap buck and recognition?
First, there are the lyrics alone. Miss Autumn writes from the heart, as cliche as that may sound. She holds nothing back, and that is putting her lyrical content mildly. She writes of suicidal thoughts, madness/insanity, the darkest corners of life, and all without an apology and with an openness so daring that those not in the "muffin" circle may be sent running for safety. Second, along with this, is Autumn's penchant for being brazenly open about the topic of depression/bipolar/suicidal tendencies. Even before the well-received, much-loved release of her semi-autobiographical novel, The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls, EA had never shied away from speaking about her own struggles with bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts. This runs counter to what most of society has shown us - that depression, dark thoughts, and suicidal thoughts are things to be hidden, to be ashamed of.
As someone who has suffered with depression since the age of 14, stumbling across Emilie Autumn has literally been a life-altering experience, and I know I am not alone in these thoughts. To find a modern lady strong enough, honest enough, to open up about her own trials with depression, self-injury, and abuse, is to find a kindred spirit worthy of admiration. EA, in her openness, becomes an (perhaps willing, perhaps not) inspiration to the multitudes of depressed girls and boys alike that, no, you are not alone, and yes, you can still contribute a great deal to this world, even though society has told you that you have issues and deserve to be locked up, put away, into the dark and away from those "healthy" members of society.
Openness about the darkness life gives us? Check. Talent? Double-check. Also, there is Autumn's impeccable respect for and appreciation of her fans/muffins. Having gone almost five years without exchanging online contact with her, I thought, at the VIP meet and greet, that I would definitely need to remind Miss Autumn how she had helped me with my Rock History paper. Also, we had exchanged numerous LiveJournal comments, including her thoughts about my talents(!!!) for prose and poetry. However, this woman, this amazingly busy and time-pressed lady, told me, "bitch, I'm not THAT crazy!" when I had, rather awkwardly, asked, "do you REALLY remember me, or are you just being nice?" No...rest assured, fellow Plague Rats (another term for her muffins), this lady REMEMBERS her fans/muffins. She took the time to speak with me about times past, comments exchanged, and when I presented her with a self-published book of my poetry, she told me how proud she was of me, and exclaimed in *genuine* delight, "YOU DID IT!" and gave me much kisses and hugs.
Also, when, after the VIP meet and greet, a now-friend of mine (Violet) and I met EA by her bus, I told Emilie, "I love you so much," and she said, "I love you too," it was spoken with an honesty rarely seen in artists creating art today. This truly is an artist who LOVES, appreciates, and ADORES her muffins, and will not shy from telling you, truly, how much she appreciates/loves/remembers/needs you.
So, talent and honesty, and what else? For one, in a society overrun with thoughts such as, "oh, my daughter is on *whisper* anti-depressants," EA makes a stand that it is OKAY TO BE UN-NORMAL. She speaks openly, both in her show's dialogues and her book, about needing to be on medication, about being bipolar, about self-injury and more. She may not want to be a role model(?), but she becomes one simply by being upfront and honest about the fact that, just because one appears successful and pretty, does not mean everything is hunky dory. It is OKAY to be imperfect, and you CAN succeed and contribute to the world, imperfections and all.
Emilie Autumn has not only created a world of music, but an entire world all its own, comprised of muffins and Plague Rats (read her autobio for understanding of the "Plague Rat" term). Fans of this lady group together, almost immediately recognizing kindred souls in one another, sharing stories and love as though they have known each other all their lives. I, for one, have felt myself immediately connected to fellow fans I have spoken to for mere hours. Because EA is not just a musician, but a spokeswoman for abuse, depression, creation, empowerment, and rising about the ordeals life throws your way. In her fans, one finds understanding, be it from long-time muffins or new PRs...her fans are a community like no other. Sure, there can be drama, but for the most part, EA's Plague Rats are listening ears, understanding souls who not only like the same musician as you, but have dealt with several of life's hardships as well.
Furthermore, an Emilie Autumn show is NEVER simply about the music. It is about much, much more. Some may view the girl-on-girl kissing as good eye candy, but it is, to me, about acceptance for WHO YOU REALLY ARE. This is a strong, intelligent woman, putting everything she can into a stage show that may push the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is "right" in society, and makes no apologies. She makes those "differently" or "depression-ally" inclined realized that depression/semi/totally gay thoughts/etc. need not resort to death. Has she been to the edge of death? Yes. Have many of us also been there? Also, yes. Yet here is a woman who is willing to TALK ABOUT these dark places, to bare her very soul to us, to rip herself apart to cleanse her own soul and, in the process, possibly allow us to see further into our own. She is a singer and musician, yes, but most importantly, she is (perhaps against her own wishes, perhaps not) a spokeswoman for the modern woman. The woman who is NOT perfect, who DOES know of the darkness in life, who HAS thought of death as more than the unknown at the end of the tunnel, as one who stands despite the trials life has thrown her way.
Through her honesty, strength, and talent, Miss Emilie Autumn has shown that there ARE artists today creating for themselves AND their fans. She makes no apologies for what she does, be it nude appearances in other musicians' videos or burlesque shows. She makes no claims of being "perfect," and that is perhaps the biggest inspiration she offers of all. Not everyone will agree with everything she does, but there is definitely ALWAYS something to be learned or gained from all EA does. Her actions make one think about what THEY would do in such a situation.
I may not always understand Emilie Autumn's true reasons behind decisions she makes, but I DO always find myself appreciating her strength and willingness to contribute to the world in various ways. Also, her appreciation for her muffins TRULY knows no bounds. One need only think of how, five years after exchanging what many mainstream artists would NEVER reply to, yet alone remember, she remembered a lonely/depressed college student's Rock History paper to know that...yes...this is a lady who not only possesses a rare talent for the written word, sung and spoken voice, but for genuine LOVE for her fellow Asylum inmates as well.
I, for one, will forever support and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the warrior lady known to the world as Emilie Autumn and urge you to do the same.
Thank you, Emilie, for all you have done and continue to do in order to make life more beautiful. I truly love you, and based on our interactions in Portland last year, I know you honestly love and appreciate me too.
Your muffin and friend forever and more,
Andrea/Devin
As soon as I entered her website and heard the song "Across the Sky" (from her album, Enchant) begin to play, I was hooked. At the time, Ms. Autumn had her solo debut, Enchant, available for free. I heard songs such as "Chambermaid," "Second Hand Faith," and "Castle Down," and was beyond hooked. This was not just a talented vocalist and violinist, I felt, but a woman with strong opinions and talent to send the current crop of female musicians headed for the hills and beyond. This was, I felt, a woman with something to say.
It wasn't long into my journey through Enchant that I found myself enrolled in a History of Rock class at the local community college. As part of our grade, we were required to write a paper about a musician, coming to prominence in the past ten years or so, that we felt was important. I immediately thought of Miss Autumn and, not expecting a reply (although she had replied readily to my comments on LiveJournal), sent her a comment about how I would love to do my paper on her.
Miss Autumn kindly responded by saying that, at the time, she didn't feel she had contributed enough to allow me to devote an entire paper to her. Having spent time as a member of Courtney Love's band, The Chelsea, Autumn urged me to write my paper on Courtney, assuring me that she would send me an email about her thoughts on Miss Love. Emilie fulfilled her promise, not sending me a few mere quotes about Courtney, but a mini-essay unto itself, something I had not been expecting. I included her thoughts, in their entirety, in my paper, and received an A in the process. I sent Miss Autumn a thank you card and felt that, as her comments on LiveJournal had waned, her newfound legion of fans would leave me in the background.
As approximately five years passed, I at last found myself at an Emilie Autumn show in October of 2009. During the VIP meet and greet, I mentioned to EA that I was "the girl who emailed you about a Courtney Love paper for..." and saw her eyes immediately widen in recognition. "That was YOU?!" she exclaimed, all genuine amazement. "THAT WAS TOTALLY ME!" I exclaimed, and then immediately received a HUGE hug and much kisses on the cheeks from Emilie. She said, "we have a HISTORY!"
The story continues a bit from there, but suffice to say, Miss Emilie Autumn is one who does NOT forget her fans (known in her realm, aka The Asylum, as muffins). This is a lady who knows her muffins, appreciates their devotions, and will do anything in her power to make them feel loved and appreciated.
Now, one must wonder, what is it about Miss Emilie Autumn that is important in this modern world of dime-a-dozen pop and rock groups? What could one young lady possibly have to contribute to a world already overrun with saccharine, seedy emotions, and pretentious artists hellbent on attempting to establish a connection to their fans for a cheap buck and recognition?
First, there are the lyrics alone. Miss Autumn writes from the heart, as cliche as that may sound. She holds nothing back, and that is putting her lyrical content mildly. She writes of suicidal thoughts, madness/insanity, the darkest corners of life, and all without an apology and with an openness so daring that those not in the "muffin" circle may be sent running for safety. Second, along with this, is Autumn's penchant for being brazenly open about the topic of depression/bipolar/suicidal tendencies. Even before the well-received, much-loved release of her semi-autobiographical novel, The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls, EA had never shied away from speaking about her own struggles with bipolar disorder and suicidal thoughts. This runs counter to what most of society has shown us - that depression, dark thoughts, and suicidal thoughts are things to be hidden, to be ashamed of.
As someone who has suffered with depression since the age of 14, stumbling across Emilie Autumn has literally been a life-altering experience, and I know I am not alone in these thoughts. To find a modern lady strong enough, honest enough, to open up about her own trials with depression, self-injury, and abuse, is to find a kindred spirit worthy of admiration. EA, in her openness, becomes an (perhaps willing, perhaps not) inspiration to the multitudes of depressed girls and boys alike that, no, you are not alone, and yes, you can still contribute a great deal to this world, even though society has told you that you have issues and deserve to be locked up, put away, into the dark and away from those "healthy" members of society.
Openness about the darkness life gives us? Check. Talent? Double-check. Also, there is Autumn's impeccable respect for and appreciation of her fans/muffins. Having gone almost five years without exchanging online contact with her, I thought, at the VIP meet and greet, that I would definitely need to remind Miss Autumn how she had helped me with my Rock History paper. Also, we had exchanged numerous LiveJournal comments, including her thoughts about my talents(!!!) for prose and poetry. However, this woman, this amazingly busy and time-pressed lady, told me, "bitch, I'm not THAT crazy!" when I had, rather awkwardly, asked, "do you REALLY remember me, or are you just being nice?" No...rest assured, fellow Plague Rats (another term for her muffins), this lady REMEMBERS her fans/muffins. She took the time to speak with me about times past, comments exchanged, and when I presented her with a self-published book of my poetry, she told me how proud she was of me, and exclaimed in *genuine* delight, "YOU DID IT!" and gave me much kisses and hugs.
Also, when, after the VIP meet and greet, a now-friend of mine (Violet) and I met EA by her bus, I told Emilie, "I love you so much," and she said, "I love you too," it was spoken with an honesty rarely seen in artists creating art today. This truly is an artist who LOVES, appreciates, and ADORES her muffins, and will not shy from telling you, truly, how much she appreciates/loves/remembers/needs you.
So, talent and honesty, and what else? For one, in a society overrun with thoughts such as, "oh, my daughter is on *whisper* anti-depressants," EA makes a stand that it is OKAY TO BE UN-NORMAL. She speaks openly, both in her show's dialogues and her book, about needing to be on medication, about being bipolar, about self-injury and more. She may not want to be a role model(?), but she becomes one simply by being upfront and honest about the fact that, just because one appears successful and pretty, does not mean everything is hunky dory. It is OKAY to be imperfect, and you CAN succeed and contribute to the world, imperfections and all.
Emilie Autumn has not only created a world of music, but an entire world all its own, comprised of muffins and Plague Rats (read her autobio for understanding of the "Plague Rat" term). Fans of this lady group together, almost immediately recognizing kindred souls in one another, sharing stories and love as though they have known each other all their lives. I, for one, have felt myself immediately connected to fellow fans I have spoken to for mere hours. Because EA is not just a musician, but a spokeswoman for abuse, depression, creation, empowerment, and rising about the ordeals life throws your way. In her fans, one finds understanding, be it from long-time muffins or new PRs...her fans are a community like no other. Sure, there can be drama, but for the most part, EA's Plague Rats are listening ears, understanding souls who not only like the same musician as you, but have dealt with several of life's hardships as well.
Furthermore, an Emilie Autumn show is NEVER simply about the music. It is about much, much more. Some may view the girl-on-girl kissing as good eye candy, but it is, to me, about acceptance for WHO YOU REALLY ARE. This is a strong, intelligent woman, putting everything she can into a stage show that may push the boundaries of what is acceptable and what is "right" in society, and makes no apologies. She makes those "differently" or "depression-ally" inclined realized that depression/semi/totally gay thoughts/etc. need not resort to death. Has she been to the edge of death? Yes. Have many of us also been there? Also, yes. Yet here is a woman who is willing to TALK ABOUT these dark places, to bare her very soul to us, to rip herself apart to cleanse her own soul and, in the process, possibly allow us to see further into our own. She is a singer and musician, yes, but most importantly, she is (perhaps against her own wishes, perhaps not) a spokeswoman for the modern woman. The woman who is NOT perfect, who DOES know of the darkness in life, who HAS thought of death as more than the unknown at the end of the tunnel, as one who stands despite the trials life has thrown her way.
Through her honesty, strength, and talent, Miss Emilie Autumn has shown that there ARE artists today creating for themselves AND their fans. She makes no apologies for what she does, be it nude appearances in other musicians' videos or burlesque shows. She makes no claims of being "perfect," and that is perhaps the biggest inspiration she offers of all. Not everyone will agree with everything she does, but there is definitely ALWAYS something to be learned or gained from all EA does. Her actions make one think about what THEY would do in such a situation.
I may not always understand Emilie Autumn's true reasons behind decisions she makes, but I DO always find myself appreciating her strength and willingness to contribute to the world in various ways. Also, her appreciation for her muffins TRULY knows no bounds. One need only think of how, five years after exchanging what many mainstream artists would NEVER reply to, yet alone remember, she remembered a lonely/depressed college student's Rock History paper to know that...yes...this is a lady who not only possesses a rare talent for the written word, sung and spoken voice, but for genuine LOVE for her fellow Asylum inmates as well.
I, for one, will forever support and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the warrior lady known to the world as Emilie Autumn and urge you to do the same.
Thank you, Emilie, for all you have done and continue to do in order to make life more beautiful. I truly love you, and based on our interactions in Portland last year, I know you honestly love and appreciate me too.
Your muffin and friend forever and more,
Andrea/Devin