“Writing songs and sharing my experiences to spread joy is at the heart of who I am,” says London artist Emily Saunders. Her tracks like “Blue Skies Forever” and “All As One” from her latest album, “Moon Shifts Oceans,” are truly uplifting. This album signifies not just a creative achievement but also a personal victory over significant challenges. At just 16, she escaped complex family dynamics and sought refuge in a hostel.

“It’s complicated,” she reflects. “Many families face issues, and for me, living in a hostel during my teens was the best choice. As adults, we reconnected, and I cherish my family, but I had to navigate things differently back then. It was difficult, but it made me resilient and fostered my independence.”

Fortunately, Saunders honed her musical talents while living in the hostel. “I spent over three years there, attending school, but I would often visit a nearby church where I could play a beautiful grand piano and write songs.”

“When I was seven, we would drive to Cornwall and sing four-part harmony for hours.”

Despite her challenging family situation, she gained valuable musical insights from her parents. “My father, Antony Saunders, was a prominent classical pianist and my mother taught piano. My sister, Rebecca, is now a successful classical composer. Music is our family’s heartbeat. I remember long drives where we harmonized for hours.”

Music became Saunders’ escape from the hostel. “I received a scholarship to a music college in Birmingham, which was incredible,” she recalls. She later earned an MA in Jazz Voice from Trinity Laban. “Certain tutors, like Liam Noble, had a profound impact on me. He once said, ‘You don’t always have to start at the beginning; you can start at the end!’ That concept has stuck with me.”

Her musical tastes also leaned towards popular music. “In my teens, I wasn’t into contemporary music; I was captivated by Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, and later, Massive Attack and Portishead. I admire artists with powerful voices and something meaningful to convey. Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin are all different, yet their impact on me is immense.”

In 2011, Saunders released her first album, “Cotton Skies,” followed by “Outsiders Insiders” in 2015. “Recording my own music for the first time in ‘Cotton Skies’ was a revelation, and receiving four stars in The Guardian was overwhelming. I included songs by Hermeto Pascoal and Airto Moreira, who influenced me greatly. My second album was all original music, infused with Brazilian jazz elements from my studies.”

However, in 2017, she faced a significant setback when diagnosed with acute psoriatic arthritis. “It was devastating,” she shares. “I struggled to walk for a long time, and my right hand was severely affected. Performing became a challenge, often requiring assistance just to get on stage.”

Despite the hardships, Saunders maintains a positive outlook. “It was a tough experience, but being confined to my environment allowed me to learn self-recording skills. Now, I can drive my creative process.” She continues to live with psoriatic arthritis but emphasizes her resilience. “Though my right hand isn’t fully functional, I’m left-handed! I’ve developed a strong mindset and can perform again.”

Excited about “Moon Shifts Oceans,” she notes, “Every song is significant to me. I self-produced, self-edited, and self-recorded it, which is a proud achievement.”

She oversees her creative process. “I typically start writing on the piano and then use Sibelius to create detailed charts for the musicians. They must be proficient readers since they can only play the notes I’ve arranged.”

“The musicians have to be very good readers because there are a lot of dots; they can only play those notes.”

“After recording, I edit the music in Pro Tools, layering sounds to achieve my vision. While an album may take years to complete, the band usually records for just a couple of days.”

On “Moon Shifts Oceans,” various influences shine through. “It blends contemporary jazz fusion with Brazilian jazz grooves, incorporating elements of drum ’n’ bass and folk textures. Some listeners even detect soul-jazz and reggae vibes.”

Many of her songs draw inspiration from nature. For instance, “Rugged Waves” was born while she was in Greece, envisioning waves and people dancing through them. “I captured the bass line on my phone and later expanded it into a full song.”

In “Blue Skies Forever,” she expresses a powerful message about connection: “We are all made from the same grain and sit below the same sun rays.” She reflects, “Isolation can be overwhelming, but connection through music is vital. Creating uplifting music brings me joy.”

“All As One” is a celebration of dance. “I love dancing,” she shares. “Though I can’t dance much now, I appreciate every step I take after my struggles with walking.”

“I’m a technique enthusiast. I practice for about two hours daily, six days a week. For me, technique equals freedom.”

On “Mashup,” she addresses global issues: “It’s about how the powerful affect lives across the world, particularly regarding the refugee crisis.”

Saunders’ vocal performance on the album is captivating. “I’m dedicated to my technique, which allows me to explore my voice freely.”

On stage, she radiates joy. “I love performing and feel lucky to connect with my audience. Every moment is filled with gratitude and happiness.”

Discover more about Emily Saunders and “Moon Shifts Oceans” here: emilysaunders.co.uk/moonshiftsoceans