Building The Wishbones: How Emerson Woolf is Taking Over NJ’s Indie Scene

In this episode of Greetings from the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery, host Mike Ham sits down with Emerson Woolf, the frontwoman of Emerson Woolf and the Wishbones. Broadcasting from Radio Garden State HQ in Bloomfield, NJ (a.k.a. one corner of the Spaghetti Triangle), they dive into Emerson’s musical journey, the formation of The Wishbones, and what’s next for the rising band.

From her early days writing songs in Maine to discovering the vibrant Asbury Park music scene, Emerson shares how she found her way to New Jersey and built a band that’s been making waves in the local and indie music communities.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
🎶 The Origin of The Wishbones – Why Emerson chose to name her band The Wishbones and the symbolism behind it.
🎸 From Maine to Jersey – How meeting the Cranston Dean Band changed her path and led her to move to New Jersey.
🎤 The Power of Songwriting – Emerson’s love for writing, her aversion to playing guitar, and how she crafts deeply personal lyrics.
🎵 Going All-In on Music – The decision to quit her job and take the leap into full-time music.
📈 Social Media & Community – How Instagram and TikTok have helped grow a dedicated fanbase, plus Emerson’s thoughts on the importance of authenticity online.
🎭 The Asbury Park Music Scene – A deep dive into why the local music scene is so special and how it’s helped shape her career.
🎟️ Major Milestones – Playing at Count Basie Theater, fans driving five hours to see a show, and upcoming performances, including a stop at Jersey Fest 2025!
🎶 New Music & Tours – What’s next for Emerson Woolf and the Wishbones in 2025, including new singles, festival dates, and a summer tour.]

Follow Emerson Woolf & The Wishbones:
📸 Instagram: @emersonwoolfmusic
🎶 TikTok: @emersonwoolfmusic
🎧 Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | All Streaming Platforms
📢 Join the Broadcast Channel for behind-the-scenes updates, giveaways, and exclusive merch drops!

Music: "Ride" by Jackson Pines
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: GreetingsFromTheGardenState.com
📸 Follow on Instagram: @greetingsfromthegardenstate

🎙️ Powered by the New Jersey Lottery.

Transcript

Emerson Woolf [0:00 - 0:00]: Foreign. 

Mike Ham [0:21 - 0:38]: What's up, everybody? Welcome back to another episode of Greetings from the Garden State, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm your host, Mike Ham. We are here at Home Base today Radio Garden State hq, Bloomfield, New Jersey, which is one corner of the spaghetti triangle. I don't know if you know what that is, but we could talk about it. We're here with Emerson woolf. Emerson, welcome to the show. 

Emerson Woolf [0:39 - 0:39]: Hi, everybody. 

Mike Ham [0:39 - 0:40]: Absolutely. 

Emerson Woolf [0:40 - 0:41]: Thanks for having me. 

Mike Ham [0:41 - 0:47]: Very excited to have you. A long time coming, I feel like. Because I feel like we've been talking about doing this for a few months. 

Emerson Woolf [0:47 - 0:49]: Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. I'm glad we were able to make it happen. 

Mike Ham [0:49 - 0:58]: Yeah. And I'm glad we could set up the space. So also, shout out to Chrissy because, like, I vacuumed. But then, like, all the nice touches like that. 

Emerson Woolf [0:58 - 0:59]: It's lovely. There's like a little tray. 

Mike Ham [0:59 - 1:01]: This normally is not back there. 

Emerson Woolf [1:01 - 1:02]: Oh, really? 

Mike Ham [1:02 - 1:04]: So it's usually over there, you know. 

Emerson Woolf [1:04 - 1:05]: But it's vibey as hell. 

Mike Ham [1:05 - 1:13]: It's very vibey. So we wanted to make sure that, you know, we put our best foot forward having you here because she's a big fan. I'm a big fan. 

Emerson Woolf [1:13 - 1:14]: That's very sweet. 

Mike Ham [1:14 - 1:20]: Of course. So, Emerson woolf and the Wishbones. Can we talk about why? What's Wishbones? Where's Wishbones come from? 

Emerson Woolf [1:20 - 1:21]: Yeah, I guess. 

Mike Ham [1:21 - 1:24]: Well, jumping right into a random question. 

Emerson Woolf [1:24 - 1:50]: Well, I knew that I wanted. I've always wanted to be, like, in a band. I've never wanted to be a solo project, but I sort of wanted to do something that even if, like, it started out and then people weren't as into it or they switched people or like, anything changed, it would still be like, Emerson woolfe and the Wishbones would continue to be a product that's a project. That's kind of why I, like, formatted it that way. 

Mike Ham [1:50 - 1:51]: Okay. 

Emerson Woolf [1:51 - 2:07]: And then Wishbones is kind of just. There's a lot of, like, with our rabbit logo, there's a lot of kind of luck trinkets and kind of like metaphors for luck and like, good luck. And it's just kind of a continuation of that. Also the alliteration of woolf and wish. 

Mike Ham [2:08 - 2:08]: Yeah, I like that. 

Emerson Woolf [2:08 - 2:08]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [2:09 - 2:11]: Yeah. It's all. See, all marketing ploy. Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [2:11 - 2:15]: It's all just trickery. Just to like trickery and advertisements. 

Mike Ham [2:15 - 2:45]: Yeah. But it seems like it's working. And honestly, like. So I saw you for the first time at wow in December. You guys play there. And I remember I texted Chrissy and I was like, Honestly, they're as good as advertised. Like, everything that we listen to, like, on the Sonos upstairs, because she loves Jersey, Baby and Not a Good Woman and most of the other songs, but. But then when I saw them live, I was like, well, like, it's, you know, just a whole great band. Like, everybody in the band is really cool and. 

Emerson Woolf [2:45 - 2:47]: Yeah, yeah, the band's great. 

Mike Ham [2:47 - 2:55]: Yeah, the band's great. And we'll talk about them in a little bit. But I do want to get your story, you know, and kind of figure out where you come from. Because you're not from Jersey originally, right? 

Emerson Woolf [2:55 - 2:59]: No, I've been here for, like, three and a half years, but it's my favorite place in the world. 

Mike Ham [2:59 - 2:59]: All right. 

Emerson Woolf [3:00 - 3:00]: I love it here. 

Mike Ham [3:00 - 3:06]: So where are you from originally? And then eventually, like, what brought you to Jersey to kind of. And then made it your favorite place? 

Emerson Woolf [3:06 - 3:41]: Yeah, well, I've lived in several different places. I'm kind of a bebopper around her. I most recently was living in Maine before I came here, and I came here because I actually met the Cranston Dean Band in Maine when they were playing. Yes. And then I met Riley Shiro, obviously from the band, and he invited me out, and I came out to visit him a couple times and just, like, hung out and met a bunch of people on the scene and also just was, like, taking little vacay trips. And then I was like, this place is the coolest place in the world, and I want to live there. So then I moved here. 

Mike Ham [3:41 - 3:48]: Yeah. And then music. I mean, obviously, like, knowing Cranston and all that. So, like, music must have been a part of the. 

Emerson Woolf [3:48 - 4:20]: Yeah, I mean, yeah, definitely. I wasn't really. Well, when I first met them and stuff, I was. I've always been, like, writing songs and playing songs, but I wasn't part of anything serious. I wasn't, like, performing or anything. I kind of was just like, where is the next chapter of my life going to be? Like, what's. Like. I know that I was due for a change, and I just, like, fell in love with all the, like, sweet people here, honestly. And I also, like, there's a lot of cool, like, culture and things to do in this area. I was just, like. Wanted to be part of it. 

Mike Ham [4:20 - 4:24]: Yeah. And so what got you into music initially, I guess. 

Emerson Woolf [4:24 - 4:32]: Well, I've always loved music. Probably. I grew up. The first time I was playing music was, like, in church. Like, church music. 

Mike Ham [4:32 - 4:33]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [4:33 - 4:36]: So just starting there, really. 

Mike Ham [4:36 - 5:00]: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. It's funny, like, we have, like, friends that are Musicians, obviously, like now, prior to like a few years ago. Like, I have a lot more friends that are musicians now than I did. But the church thing is like such a. Like all in. Like, so many people start there totally, and then just kind of like branch off and do their own thing. So, like, at what point do you kind of. I don't know, I don't want to say, like, leave the church. 

Emerson Woolf [5:00 - 5:03]: Right. But I have left the church, sure. 

Mike Ham [5:03 - 5:03]: Okay. 

Emerson Woolf [5:04 - 5:48]: But yeah, I guess, I mean, I mostly did like church songs until probably I was like 13, 14. And then I started writing my own music. I've never really been that into covering music at all. Mostly because I hate playing guitar. Fun fact about me, I play guitar as a tool to write songs, but it's like the bane of my existence. I've never met a person who was like. Some people, when they talk about learning how to play their guitar, they're like. And I could just spend hours learning things, doing it. That's just never been me. So I went right into writing. And then anytime it was learning a cover, I'm like, but I have to learn a whole other chord. So it was a very slow pulling teeth process. That's why I call myself a fake musician. Cause it's all an illusion just so I can say my words, basically. 

Mike Ham [5:50 - 5:58]: Uh, so like, so you told me before about like, you had been writing songs and stuff, but not really like performing. 

Emerson Woolf [5:59 - 6:17]: So like just, I mean, like, yeah, I'd play like at a bar or like here and there, like a coffee shop or something. But it wasn't like a serious project in the way that like, this project is where I'm like, trying to like, get on like, bigger and bigger stages and like, connect and like, do a tour. Like, that was never something that I'd been close to doing up until now. 

Mike Ham [6:17 - 6:23]: Yeah. And so like, what. What was like the thing that made that switch for you to go from. 

Emerson Woolf [6:25 - 6:47]: Yeah, I mean, I decided it was like the only thing I've ever wanted to do. And I was just like, if I. I gotta kind of get serious about it and really give it my all. And I think that I'm really happy I did. Obviously. The band itself is incredible people and I'm lucky to work with them. And the band started with just Jen and I. Jen's the lead. Jen Lopes is the lead guitar player. 

Mike Ham [6:47 - 6:48]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [6:48 - 6:58]: And we just connected and we're like, what if we tried to start a little band and then we just kind of jammed on some of the songs she wrote that Naughty Good Woman Hook that. Do do do do do do do thing. 

Mike Ham [6:58 - 6:59]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [6:59 - 7:04]: And we were just like jamming in her, I guess, like her loft or whatever, and we were like, this is actually kind of sick. 

Mike Ham [7:04 - 7:04]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [7:04 - 7:12]: And then we thought we'd just like put out feelers and be like, anybody want to be part of this? And then it just kind of fell into place. 

Mike Ham [7:12 - 7:12]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [7:12 - 7:13]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [7:13 - 7:16]: And so how long ago was that when like the Wishbones became the Wishbones? 

Emerson Woolf [7:17 - 7:23]: I guess, like we form. We formed like about a year and a half ago now, you know, in our first, like, music came out about a year ago. 

Mike Ham [7:23 - 7:26]: Okay. Which is still. I mean, that's like. 

Emerson Woolf [7:26 - 7:26]: We're a baby band. 

Mike Ham [7:27 - 7:30]: Yeah. A baby band. But you've already put out two. 

Emerson Woolf [7:31 - 7:44]: We had our first single, Oblivion, then the ep Not a Good Woman, then Wouldn't It Be Funny, the single. And then our full length album, Everything Must Go. And then we've released two singles since then, Hurricane Season and A Corner Store Him. 

Mike Ham [7:44 - 7:52]: Yeah. Which are both great. I mean, they're all great tunes, but like. Yeah, the new ones we really like as well. So, like, that's a pretty. 

Emerson Woolf [7:52 - 7:53]: Yes. 

Mike Ham [7:53 - 7:57]: Like, breakneck pace, like right out of the gate, but just like going for it. 

Emerson Woolf [7:57 - 8:12]: Well, I do write a lot. I have a lot of songs. I feel like it's almost like a necessity. Like we got to pop them out or else they just get backlogged and then there's just like too much to be real with you. Like, yeah, I'm a freak writing songs, like, genuinely. I just always. It's like the only thing I do. I have no hobbies. 

Mike Ham [8:12 - 8:31]: But I also think that, like, especially with just kind of the way. And we don't have to get too in the weeds on this one, but just like the way that the music business kind of operates now, especially for like, you know, indie creators around the world, like, if you're not constantly churning out content and music and everything. Like, how unfortunate. Almost. Yeah. Sucks. 

Emerson Woolf [8:31 - 8:32]: It's true, though. 

Mike Ham [8:32 - 8:35]: Make music. And I feel the same way. That's. That's why we do this, these episodes every single week. 

Emerson Woolf [8:35 - 8:36]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [8:36 - 8:38]: Because, like, we have to. If we don't, you kind of get lost. 

Emerson Woolf [8:38 - 8:42]: There's your momentum, as they say. Yeah, yeah. It is kind of a drag. 

Mike Ham [8:42 - 8:44]: Yeah, it just kind of sucks. 

Emerson Woolf [8:45 - 9:01]: I don't know if I super believe in it to be real with you. I mean, I think that. I think, yes, you gotta be constantly putting out stuff, but I think that part of it too. And like, this might just be. This just might be like anecdotal but I feel like sometimes people release something and then it's like, a few weeks later and they're like, well, that's old news now. 

Mike Ham [9:01 - 9:02]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [9:02 - 9:08]: But I feel like if you keep talking about it, like, it stays new. Also more trickery. More marketing trickery. 

Mike Ham [9:08 - 9:11]: Yeah. This is like a whole. This is like a marketing show. 

Emerson Woolf [9:11 - 9:19]: Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's really what we came here to talk about. Sorry, I'm not good at talking. I'm, like, nervous to be on the podcast, actually. 

Mike Ham [9:19 - 9:20]: No, it's okay. You're doing great. 

Emerson Woolf [9:20 - 9:29]: I'm actually more of a singer. And then when I'm playing at my shows, I'm even nervous then, like, I don't say much in between the songs because I'm always like, thanks for being here. Yeah, here's another song. Yeah, I don't really talk that much. 

Mike Ham [9:29 - 9:36]: Interesting juxtaposition. Being like, you know, not talking that much, but just to be able to sing in front of a bunch of people is. 

Emerson Woolf [9:36 - 9:38]: It's different. I mean, it's very rehearsed. 

Mike Ham [9:38 - 9:45]: Yeah, sure. But, like, also, like, on stage, it's rehearsed, but also there's, like, I don't know, like, you vibe with the crowd or something and. 

Emerson Woolf [9:45 - 9:46]: Yeah, that's true. 

Mike Ham [9:46 - 9:47]: Go for it a little bit, but. 

Emerson Woolf [9:47 - 9:48]: No, that is true, too. 

Mike Ham [9:48 - 9:50]: Yeah. But you're doing great so far. 

Emerson Woolf [9:50 - 9:51]: Thank you. I appreciate it. 

Mike Ham [9:51 - 10:12]: And we're crushing it. So. Okay. When the Wishbones start their thing, and only a year ago, and you start writing these songs, the songs that you had written prior, because obviously, like, you must have had, like, a. Yeah. A pretty big backlog of things. Songs to put out. Do they get connected there with the Wishbone? 

Emerson Woolf [10:12 - 10:45]: Yeah. So basically the way that the band operates is I write the song and then I will just, like, usually I, like, send it ahead of time so people have a minute to look at it. But then we'll kind of work out all the other parts over it. But the song as it is, like, the structure of it, the chorus, like, the format of the song's there and it's finished. Yeah, yeah. Like, the entire EP was already written before I moved here or met them. A couple of the singles Wouldn't Be Funny was already written. So, yeah, there were, like, already a lot of songs that it was like, oh, thank you for joining the band. Now let's learn. These 20 songs was kind of the energy. 

Mike Ham [10:45 - 10:49]: Yeah, yeah. And then, like, when you're writing these songs and you, like, hate playing guitar. 

Emerson Woolf [10:50 - 10:54]: And, you know, obviously, like, now I donated as Much as I did. 

Mike Ham [10:54 - 11:08]: In the beginning, you hated. Hated it. But now, like, you're. You're okay with it. It's like we've made peace a tool, you know? But so when you're writing these songs, like, did someone teach you how to write songs? Did you, like, learn it from someone, or did you just kind of. 

Emerson Woolf [11:08 - 11:09]: I've never taken any kind of on. 

Mike Ham [11:09 - 11:11]: PA or how do it. 

Emerson Woolf [11:11 - 11:47]: I don't have any formal training in music or songwriting at all. I just really love songwriting. I love music and I particularly love, like, lyrics and storytelling. That's the kind of music I've always been really drawn to. I really love music that, like, makes me really sad and cry. I love, like, really, like. I don't know how to say, like, punch you in the gut music. And I feel like all of that is lyrical for me in the way that it affects me. So I think just being drawn to other lyricists and just doing it a lot, and it was probably really bad when I first started, but now I think I got the hang of it kind of. 

Mike Ham [11:47 - 12:02]: Yeah, yeah. But I think that's like, what, like. Because, like, when we talk about bands like Chrissy and I are bands that we like or whatever, like, we talked about Jackson Pines off mic and just like, we love the way that those songs, like, tell a story or connect to something or whatever. 

Emerson Woolf [12:02 - 12:03]: And like, that's a folk thing. 

Mike Ham [12:03 - 12:18]: Yeah, it is a folk thing for sure. And I feel like that's a similar vibe that we get with. With your music too, is like storytelling, you know, And I. And as a storyteller, like, in this capacity, like, I appreciate that, but it's just through a different lens, you know what I mean? 

Emerson Woolf [12:18 - 12:19]: Totally. 

Mike Ham [12:20 - 12:34]: So when you move to, like, we'll say the Asbury park area and you're like, put out this call for band members. And was the band that I saw at Wowee, is that the same, like, band that you put together out of the gate? 

Emerson Woolf [12:35 - 12:53]: Yeah, actually. Yeah. So Jason Vertizo joined the band, and then he had already been connected to Zack Moore and then Zach's brother, Jacob Moore. So it was Jen and I. Jason joined for maybe just like a week before the other guys came on, and then he invited them, and that was the band that you saw. Wowie. 

Mike Ham [12:54 - 13:23]: The Mayo Performing Arts center is the heart of arts and Entertainment in Morristown, New Jersey. MPAC presents over 200 events annually and is home to an innovative children's arts education program. To see Impact's upcoming schedule of world class concerts, Stand up comedy family shows, and more. Head to mayoarts.org or just click the link in our show notes. And so, like, as you were adding these pieces to the band, can we talk about, like, what each of them does and kind of, like, how important they are to kind of making the band the band? 

Emerson Woolf [13:23 - 14:07]: Oh, yeah, absolutely. So, yeah, I mean, I will write a song sometimes. I have a clearer vision about, like, a specific part or something. But for the most part, everybody brings their own thought to the table as far as, like, their lead part or, like, Jason's vando part or, like, the bass line or how the drums are like, anything is them. But I also feel like it's been really. It felt really lucky in the way that it really organically, just, like, they hear exactly kind of what I hear. I feel like it's just like we're really connected in that way. Like, I'll bring it to rehearsal, and then we'll play it through, and it'll be generally almost like everybody had the same thought, you know what I mean? It just made sense to move that way. 

Mike Ham [14:07 - 14:12]: Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then each member, like, what do they bring into the band? 

Emerson Woolf [14:13 - 14:14]: Like, their instruments, you mean? 

Mike Ham [14:14 - 14:15]: Yeah, like, what do they play? 

Emerson Woolf [14:15 - 14:31]: Oh, yeah. So Zack Moore is the drummer. Jacob Moore plays bass guitar. Jason, he is our multi instrumentalist. He plays mando banjo, the harmonium on occasion. And Jacob and Jason both sing as well. 

Mike Ham [14:31 - 14:31]: Okay. 

Emerson Woolf [14:31 - 14:33]: And then Jen Lopes is lead guitar. 

Mike Ham [14:33 - 14:43]: Sure. And it just. Yeah, it does, like, seem just kind of. It all really, like, works together. And if you had told me, like, I didn't realize that. That the band was only a year, I never knew. 

Emerson Woolf [14:43 - 14:43]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [14:44 - 14:50]: You know, and then just, like, it just seemed so cohesive, and like you said, it just all kind of, like, worked together. 

Emerson Woolf [14:50 - 15:26]: I will also say we do have a couple personnel changes coming up, and they haven't been announced, but this is gonna be out in two weeks when they will have been announced. So we do also have a couple people shifting in and out as well. Unfortunately, Zach and Jacob, our rhythm section, ended up not staying in the band. Like you said, we're a new band, and we got really busy really fast, and we're just moving, and it's very much like, take over your entire life kind of styles. So it was like, oh, maybe that's not entirely what I signed up for. Which is also totally valid. 

Mike Ham [15:26 - 15:27]: I was gonna take jam with my friends. 

Emerson Woolf [15:27 - 15:41]: Yeah, yeah, exactly. And much love. Like, it was all, like, lovely and in a nice way. But we are very fortunate and excited that we have Nick Marinelli joining as our new drummer. And also Shane Luckenbaugh is our new bass player. 

Mike Ham [15:41 - 15:41]: Great. 

Emerson Woolf [15:41 - 15:41]: Mm. 

Mike Ham [15:42 - 15:42]: So that's. 

Emerson Woolf [15:42 - 15:43]: I don't know if you know either of them. 

Mike Ham [15:43 - 15:47]: I don't. Nick's name sounds familiar, but I don't envy AREPA currently. 

Emerson Woolf [15:47 - 15:53]: And also Fuzz of Fern occasionally. Oh, maybe that gumball played drums for the Cranston Dean Band for a while. 

Mike Ham [15:53 - 15:53]: Okay. 

Emerson Woolf [15:53 - 15:54]: Yeah, yeah, yeah. 

Mike Ham [15:54 - 16:27]: Can we also talk about. Just because, like, we've mentioned a couple of the, you know, Cranston Dean and. Yeah, totally, and whatever. Just kind of like the community also, because obviously, like. Like, I've been exposed to it a little bit more now that doing the Station and then Jersey Fest and all that, but then, like, knowing, like, Palm and, you know, all these other, like, Fearne Cranston, like, everyone kind of like, that's in that. In that scene. And just how, like, everyone that I've talked to about the Asbury scene, like, the music scene here in the state, it's just. It always seems it's the best ever. Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [16:27 - 16:48]: It's actually, like, wild. Like, so. Not Gatekeepy, just everyone wanting the best for everyone. I love it. I love being part of it. Like, other. I mean, probably the other, like, music city I lived in was, like, Austin, and Austin was, like, very, like, cutthroat in a way that it totally could be here. Like, you could do that if you wanted to. Just, like, so unnecessary. 

Mike Ham [16:48 - 16:49]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [16:49 - 17:07]: Like, there's a room for everyone. And I, like, really appreciate that this scene seems very in touch with that and understanding that, like, there's nothing to gain from keeping a smaller artist out. So when somebody's, like, emerging or they're like, oh, I'm releasing my first thing, like, everybody's like, cool. Like, what is it? Like, if it's good, then let's add it in, you know? 

Mike Ham [17:07 - 17:12]: And then, like you said with being a new band, but then also being so busy so fast, like. 

Emerson Woolf [17:12 - 17:13]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [17:13 - 17:19]: Has that been helpful to kind of have, like, people that, you know, that are just like, hey, maybe you should try this, or. 

Emerson Woolf [17:19 - 18:02]: Totally. Yeah. No, everybody's been, like, really great and helpful and knowledgeable. Also, our producer, Patrick Noon, has been really, like, monumental in giving me direction and helping us, like, make smart choices to grow as a band. Um, you know, obviously at this point, we're trying to branch out a little bit more. We are playing in ASBURY still in 2025. Like, but, you know, once every couple months and spreading out and going to other states and other cities and things, and it's just so awesome to have, like, such a supportive home base and such a fun home base. Like, genuinely, every time that you're at anyone's show, it just feels like a reunion party. 

Mike Ham [18:02 - 18:02]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [18:02 - 18:04]: Like, it's really. It's a great time. Yeah. 

Mike Ham [18:04 - 18:08]: And so when the first single came out. 

Emerson Woolf [18:08 - 18:12]: When it came out last December. 

Mike Ham [18:12 - 18:14]: Okay, so like, 23. 

Emerson Woolf [18:14 - 18:16]: Yeah, 2023. December. 

Mike Ham [18:16 - 18:32]: Okay. So when that single comes out and obviously, like, that kind of kickstarts Emerson woolf and the Wishbones and going through, like, the year, was there, like, a moment where you or anyone in the band was like, this is, like, getting, like, we're moving really fast, maybe. 

Emerson Woolf [18:32 - 18:33]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [18:33 - 18:36]: Did you, like, expect to be moving that fast? Because I feel like maybe some people. 

Emerson Woolf [18:36 - 18:45]: I kind of did, but that's because I'm insane. Like, everybody was like. I was like, oh, yeah, we're going to be, like, famous next year. But that's just how I operate as a person. 

Mike Ham [18:45 - 18:46]: Well, I love that. 

Emerson Woolf [18:46 - 18:47]: Thanks. Yeah. 

Mike Ham [18:47 - 18:47]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [18:47 - 19:00]: I mean, honestly, right from the gate, it was. It was great. I mean, we played our single release show at over the Moon Art Studios. That was with Surfing for Daisy. They were also kind of getting started, similarly, around the same time as us, I feel like. 

Mike Ham [19:00 - 19:01]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [19:01 - 19:20]: So, yeah. And that was awesome. And then we had some, like, social media success as well. We released our NPR Tiny Desk video for last year, and that got some good traction and helped us make some connections, like, further away connections, like out of state connections. 

Mike Ham [19:20 - 19:20]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [19:20 - 19:55]: And then after that, we played actually at Pino's in Highland Park. And I remember that must have been, like, the spring. That spring of 2024. And I remember there was, like, a group of people at the show who came up to me after the show, and they were like, yeah, we drove, like, five hours to get here. And I was like, what? And they're like, yeah, we, like, just heard you. We know you from Spotify. And we drove. We got a van of us, and we all drove here. And I was like, what on God's green earth are you talking about? Like, that was the first time. I remember that show because that was the first time that, like, we'd had fans at the show who, like, didn't know us. 

Mike Ham [19:55 - 19:55]: Yeah, yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [19:55 - 19:58]: Like, they weren't, like, friends or, like, people from the scene. It was, like, strangers. 

Mike Ham [19:58 - 19:58]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [19:59 - 20:03]: And like, since then, like, every time that happens, it's, like, wild. Yeah. 

Mike Ham [20:03 - 20:21]: Yeah. That's so funny, too, that you mentioned Surfing for Daisy, because, like, when we booked them for Jersey Fest, like, I. They only had, like, a couple songs out and they had, like, 2, 000 Instagram followers. And by the time we got to May, that was, like, February. By the time we got to maybe they had a few more songs out, but they had, like, popped to, like. 

Emerson Woolf [20:21 - 20:21]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [20:21 - 20:22]: And plus thousand. 

Emerson Woolf [20:22 - 20:22]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [20:22 - 20:29]: They traveled probably, like, the best out of all the bands that played the initial, you know, with fans, and they're great. Phenomenal. 

Emerson Woolf [20:29 - 20:31]: Every time we get to play with them, it's a. 

Mike Ham [20:31 - 20:33]: It's a treat for sure. That was, like, last was. 

Emerson Woolf [20:33 - 20:34]: Wowee. We played. Wow. 

Mike Ham [20:34 - 20:58]: Yeah. Wow. And because, like, I came out for that because we did the little show at the cheer event, and then I was, like, deciding, like, whether or not I would just go home right after, because I had worked in Jersey City all day that day doing, like, production on a. On a podcast, and then drove down, did the show, and then I was, like, beat. And then I looked at the lineup and I was like, I'm staying. Just because it was like, one after another. I was like, I gotta. I've never seen Emerson, so I gotta watch her. 

Emerson Woolf [20:58 - 21:00]: Oh, and we were, like, in the middle of the night. 

Mike Ham [21:00 - 21:01]: Yeah. Right. 

Emerson Woolf [21:01 - 21:01]: Were we. Oh, my gosh. 

Mike Ham [21:02 - 21:02]: We're, like, so late. 

Emerson Woolf [21:03 - 21:10]: We were the last one of the night, so. Oh, my God. That was really brave of you to say. I'm such a sleepy grandma. I could never. I'm, like, very fetching. Impressive to me. 

Mike Ham [21:10 - 21:21]: Yeah. Well, I mean, that's the thing. I. Then I was. I was texting Chrissy. I was like, they're not until, like, 10:30 or whatever it was. And she was like, woof. She's like, are you gonna stay? And I was like, like, I really want to see, like, at least one song. 

Emerson Woolf [21:21 - 21:21]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [21:21 - 21:29]: And then, like, I think surfing for Daisy was maybe, like, right before. You were right before I. And then I was like, okay. They gave me, like, new life. 

Emerson Woolf [21:29 - 21:29]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [21:29 - 21:52]: And I watched you guys for a few songs, and then I was like. It was like 11:00, and I was like, I'm gonna get home at, like, midnight or whatever. So we've. I pulled the plug on that. But it was great to see you guys play, you know? So, okay. At some point in this kind of, like, career in music now, you are now going full time just in music? 

Emerson Woolf [21:52 - 21:53]: Yeah, I just quit my job. 

Mike Ham [21:53 - 21:53]: Sure. 

Emerson Woolf [21:54 - 21:55]: I just had my last day last week. 

Mike Ham [21:55 - 21:56]: How does that feel? 

Emerson Woolf [21:56 - 22:10]: Horrifying. I'm so scared. I'm so scared. I am like, yeah, I'm very afraid. I feel like it was getting to a point though, where it was like, if I don't leave my job. Like, I'm. I'm having to, like, turn down opportunities because of this job. 

Mike Ham [22:10 - 22:10]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [22:10 - 22:18]: And I. I mean, mathematically, it should add up to. I'm supposed to be making the same. Like, about. Like, I'm supposed to be able to pay my bills still. 

Mike Ham [22:18 - 22:19]: Sure. 

Emerson Woolf [22:19 - 22:33]: But I don't know. It's just scary. I've never worked for myself. I've never worked for myself and been freelanced. And it's like, oh, yeah, I'm fine for February, March. But then it's just like a black hole after that. And that's a little scary. Yeah. 

Mike Ham [22:33 - 22:34]: Welcome to my life. 

Emerson Woolf [22:35 - 22:54]: So then what? So I'm like, hopefully people keep booking us and things, but it's like, I really want to. I care a ton about this project. I believe in it. I think that we can do it full time as a band. I think it can be something that we, like, make like, we do with our lives. 

Mike Ham [22:54 - 22:54]: Sure. 

Emerson Woolf [22:54 - 22:57]: And I kind of just feel like I gotta give it a try now. 

Mike Ham [22:58 - 22:59]: Yeah. If not now, then. 

Emerson Woolf [22:59 - 23:02]: Then when am I gonna do it? Right. So I'm like, might as well. 

Mike Ham [23:02 - 23:02]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [23:02 - 23:10]: I'm like, worse comes to worse, I can quit and be a bartender and be like, that was in a band that one time. 

Mike Ham [23:11 - 23:22]: Yeah. But I mean, it's not even like. It's one of those things where I feel like it's not even a. Like, if that. It's not gonna happen. But even if that does happen, it's just to, like, bridge the gap a little bit. 

Emerson Woolf [23:22 - 23:22]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [23:22 - 23:24]: Because, like, it's hard out of the gate. 

Emerson Woolf [23:24 - 23:25]: No, you're true. Yeah. 

Mike Ham [23:25 - 23:29]: You know, but then just, like, get you to, like, the next month be like, all right, now we're good. 

Emerson Woolf [23:29 - 23:29]: Yeah. Yeah. 

Mike Ham [23:30 - 23:31]: See a bartender job. 

Emerson Woolf [23:31 - 23:32]: Exactly. 

Mike Ham [23:33 - 23:46]: Has there been any places? Because obviously we talked about Asbury Park a lot, but has there been any places where you guys have played? Other places where maybe you were like, I can't believe I'm playing here. Like, this is really cool. Any other spots? 

Emerson Woolf [23:46 - 24:03]: I mean, my craziest show of the year was definitely the Count Basie Theater. That was crazy. I opened for Beth Hart on her tour and that was like, the biggest stage I've ever played on. Totally wild. Absolutely bizarre. She was wonderful. Very sweet lady. 

Mike Ham [24:03 - 24:03]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [24:03 - 24:09]: And that was like, a moment. I was like, oh, my gosh. Like, this is. We're not in Kansas anymore. 

Mike Ham [24:09 - 24:10]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [24:10 - 24:10]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [24:10 - 24:16]: And then, like. And this year already, you kind of have some stuff booked up. Right. Like, you guys are going to. 

Emerson Woolf [24:16 - 24:22]: Yeah. Next week we're going to Be in South Carolina. We're playing the Radio room there, which is a really cool venue. I don't know if you're familiar with that, but it's. 

Mike Ham [24:22 - 24:23]: It's a. I will check it out. 

Emerson Woolf [24:23 - 24:35]: It's like a very. A very cool venue as well. Yeah, I'm really. I'm really excited to go down to South Carolina. We're also playing a couple, like, pop up shows, like secret shows while we're there, which is going to be like a lot of fun. 

Mike Ham [24:35 - 24:36]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [24:36 - 24:45]: Just a quick little weekender. And then we're coming back. And on March 7th, we're playing Pinot in Highland park again with Sarah Gross, who's on her tour. 

Mike Ham [24:45 - 24:45]: Okay. 

Emerson Woolf [24:45 - 24:46]: I'm excited as well. 

Mike Ham [24:46 - 24:49]: Yeah, that's awesome. Jersey Fest also. 

Emerson Woolf [24:49 - 24:49]: Jersey Fest. 

Mike Ham [24:49 - 24:50]: Yeah, we're very excited. 

Emerson Woolf [24:50 - 24:51]: I wasn't sure if I was allowed to talk about that. 

Mike Ham [24:51 - 25:18]: No, we could talk about it. Nobody listens anyway. No. But yeah, we haven't even announced the date officially yet, but it's May 17, so everyone that's listening gets like a little. A little treat. And Emerson woolf and the Wishbones are one of the bands that's playing Jersey Fest this year, which we're very excited about. Yeah. When we like. It's like we get reached out to a lot about playing those shows. But like, I have a very. 

Emerson Woolf [25:19 - 25:19]: You have a vision. 

Mike Ham [25:19 - 25:41]: A vision. And I'm like, all right. I want these bands and like the. You know, I love it. Yeah. Because it's like I want to be able to represent different parts of the state and different genres of music and stuff too. We won't say who the other bands are because we only have one other band. We're working on the other one. But I think right now, between the two. The two bands that we have and it's. 

Emerson Woolf [25:41 - 25:42]: I love the genre show. 

Mike Ham [25:42 - 25:44]: Yeah. It's fun. It's different. 

Emerson Woolf [25:44 - 25:45]: So cool. 

Mike Ham [25:45 - 25:46]: Eclectic kind of thing. 

Emerson Woolf [25:46 - 25:49]: I remember playing at the Bond Street Basement on my birthday last year. 

Mike Ham [25:49 - 25:49]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [25:49 - 25:53]: And they put us on with. Who was it? It was Motherway. 

Mike Ham [25:53 - 25:53]: Okay. 

Emerson Woolf [25:53 - 25:57]: And like a couple other bands that were just like super not like us. 

Mike Ham [25:57 - 25:57]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [25:57 - 26:06]: And it was like the best show the artists remember. I just think it's so fun. I love getting, like hyped to like, all the different, like weird, funky genres and then ended up. Mother Way is like my favorite New Jersey ban. 

Mike Ham [26:06 - 26:06]: Okay. 

Emerson Woolf [26:06 - 26:07]: Probably. 

Mike Ham [26:07 - 26:27]: Yeah. Are there, like. Are there. We talked about kind of like songwriting and like playing in church and all that kind of stuff. And you said no real, like formal training, which who really does but are there like influences, I guess for you, like other people or bands or any influence? 

Emerson Woolf [26:27 - 26:33]: Yeah, yeah. I mean that's like a really hard question because I just like love so many. 

Mike Ham [26:33 - 26:33]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [26:33 - 27:17]: Different songwriters. I think that like besides like Christian music, I also like early. Early was into a lot of like Leonard Cohen and like Bob Dylan style songwriting. And when I was like young I was exposed to a lot of that. And then I feel like now, I mean I love, I love people like Julia, Jacqueline, like John Moreland, just people who are like super like emotive, expressive. I'd say that some of the songwriters that I really love are also pretty autobiographical, which is the way that I describe myself. Like a lot of my songs are like very much like a personal experience told in song. 

Mike Ham [27:17 - 27:18]: Sure. 

Emerson Woolf [27:18 - 27:30]: And I feel like that's something that draws me towards other songwriters as well. It just feels kind of like a window into like a world. It's kind of like, I don't know, it's like existential in a way. It's like cool to me. 

Mike Ham [27:30 - 27:59]: Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I like that because I mean, mean it's always interesting to me because like I don't really play any instruments nor do I write songs, but just like I love like the creative process and like how people go from like A to B from like where they started to what they're doing now. Speaking of doing now. So like we mentioned a couple of the shows that you guys are playing, but now that Emerson woolf and the Wishbones is like, that's what you do now, like your business and your LinkedIn is going to be like Emerson woolf and the big. 

Emerson Woolf [27:59 - 28:01]: I should have a LinkedIn. Yeah, I don't have a LinkedIn. 

Mike Ham [28:01 - 28:21]: You should have a LinkedIn. But so what are now that it's kind of like the, the day to day operation for you and it's like a little bit more, you know, it's not that it wasn't serious before, but now it's like the only thing you have to worry about. Like what are you hoping for the band kind of coming up in 2025. 

Emerson Woolf [28:21 - 28:58]: Yeah, I mean booking lots of shows. We are, are trying to get a tour going together for July. We've got a couple festivals and venues on that tour to come and then we've got a lot of new music to release as well. We've got single coming out next month and then a couple more after that. Really just trying to make those connections to keep us as busy as we are. Yeah, I just like I, I could play every single night like, that's what I want to do. So I'm basically just torturing everybody in my band all the time. 

Mike Ham [29:00 - 29:15]: I'm curious, like, when you talk about, like, playing out live or, you know, writing songs and, like, things that you love to do, are there, like, of those things, is there, like, one in particular, like, you love the most? Like, do you love playing live in front of people the most or do you like the process of writing the most? 

Emerson Woolf [29:15 - 29:54]: I think it is hard. I feel like I really love the recording process. I really love recording and releasing songs and curating them in the studio. I think just part of it, being a composer and a songwriter, it's just bringing the vision fully to life in that way. I love, love playing live again. Like, I said, I could play live every single night. I feel like that's a close second. But I think the ultimate fruit of the labor, if you will, for me, is completing it in the studio, hearing it, like, exactly how I envisioned it and, like, have it come to life. Like, that's. That's what I love. And I love to, like, I can't do that alone. You know what I mean? I love working with the team to make it happen. 

Mike Ham [29:54 - 30:02]: Yeah. And that's. That's what makes it fun, I feel like, is just being able to, like. And that's what I said, like, about just the creative. Because everyone's brains work a little bit different. 

Emerson Woolf [30:02 - 30:02]: Totally. 

Mike Ham [30:02 - 30:16]: You know, and then, like, you're thinking something, but then somebody else does something and it kind of like clicks in your head. And that's like, the process, you know? And then. So I just forgot what I was gonna ask. It was really a good question, too. 

Emerson Woolf [30:16 - 30:17]: Oh, damn. 

Mike Ham [30:17 - 30:22]: I wanna talk about. Let's talk about socials, social media. Because you. You do a pretty good job with it. 

Emerson Woolf [30:22 - 30:23]: Thank you. 

Mike Ham [30:23 - 30:28]: And I know that it's also like, a new service from Emerson woolf, is that. 

Emerson Woolf [30:28 - 30:28]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [30:28 - 30:31]: She'll help run a band's socials, help. 

Emerson Woolf [30:31 - 30:33]: Keep my music dreams alive. Hire me. 

Mike Ham [30:35 - 30:39]: So can we talk a little bit about. Just, like, obviously, like, it's a necessary part of. 

Emerson Woolf [30:40 - 30:40]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [30:40 - 30:41]: I mean, really anything now. 

Emerson Woolf [30:41 - 30:42]: Totally. 

Mike Ham [30:42 - 30:48]: And, like, how you approach it and how you do it and what has worked for you and all that kind of stuff. 

Emerson Woolf [30:48 - 31:25]: Yeah, I mean, I think it's obviously important. I know a lot of people hate doing it. I hate doing it sometimes. I. Like, there's obviously plenty to hate about it, but I mean, like, kind of drawing back to that story about the group of friends who came to see us in Highlands. Like, they found me through Instagram. And that's what I love about it. Like, it's the real life connections that are made from it. Like, it's not all, like, they're not like, just like, little people on the screen. Those are, like, your real, genuine fans. And like, so many of those people I've been able to, like, connect with. Like, I went solo to South Carolina a few months ago and I played a show and there were, like, a bunch of people in the crowd, like, singing my songs. Like, that's crazy to me. 

Mike Ham [31:25 - 31:26]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [31:26 - 31:40]: Like, I'm like, I've never been here. Did you know this song? Like, that kind of stuff. It's, like, wild. I mean, I think it's like the thing that, like, I don't know, the way that I look at it is, like, social media is just a free tool to use as you will. 

Mike Ham [31:41 - 31:41]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [31:41 - 32:03]: I mean, you don't have to pay anything. You don't have to pay for ads. You don't have to do any of that stuff. All you have to do is, like, put yourself out there. And the more like yourself you are, like, the more successful that will be. I feel like it's like, I think that people get really caught up in Hate it because it feels so fake and so polished. And obviously a ton of people use it that way. No shame to them. Like, I love some fake, polished content on the Internet. 

Mike Ham [32:03 - 32:03]: Totally. 

Emerson Woolf [32:03 - 32:37]: But I mean, genuinely, I think that the stuff that works the best in the way of finding your people is when you're just being yourself and putting it out there. And that feels scarier and that feels harder to do. But I think the reward is greater. And I think that that's how I've connected with a ton of our fans. And it's also just a cool way to see how different people interpret the songs and feel about the music. I get these crazy messages where somebody's like, oh, not a good woman. Made me realize I needed to, like, leave my husband. 

Mike Ham [32:38 - 32:38]: Sure. 

Emerson Woolf [32:38 - 32:43]: And they're like, I literally left him. Like, that's, like a real message I've received. And I'm just like, that's crazy. 

Mike Ham [32:43 - 32:45]: Yeah. Like, I. 

Emerson Woolf [32:45 - 33:02]: It's crazy seeing, like, people, like, real life, like, in and being part of it. You know what I mean? Being part of the art, being part of, like, the message and the meaning of all of it, like, actually, like, having it, like, affect their life in, like, a little tiny way. I don't mean, like, obviously that there's probably plenty of reasons for that woman to leave her husband. 

Mike Ham [33:02 - 33:03]: Yeah. Right. 

Emerson Woolf [33:03 - 33:24]: Just that song like, it's just like a cool thing. I don't know. I love. And I also feel like, you know, back in the olden days, like an artist wasn't able to directly talk to their fan base in that way as individuals. Like, I love it when people message me and start a conversation. I love talking to people. Like, it's, it's just cool. I think it's like a special little piece of something that you can't really get anywhere else. 

Mike Ham [33:24 - 33:54]: Yeah, it is really cool like when you really start to kind of cultivate because like that's really what it is. I mean, you can put out music, you can host a podcast, you can do all kinds of things, but it's like when you really start to capture a community and like be able to interact with them and like it impacts their life in some way. Like that's when you have like the secret sauce, I feel like. Absolutely kind of like. And that's why you have a relationship with them. Even though in some cases you've never met them in person. Yeah, they never meet them in person, but they feel connected to you and you have a relationship with them. 

Emerson Woolf [33:54 - 33:56]: Now that community award's really important. I think that's what it is. 

Mike Ham [33:56 - 33:57]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [33:57 - 34:25]: And I think that that's what people who are like, oh, I hate it and don't want any part of it. That's like something that I think that isn't maybe understood by like that demographic of people. Because I think everybody does want community with their fan base and they do want community. And I think that there is obviously like, it's weird cause it's a double edged sword, right. It's very antisocial and can be very like isolating. But it's kind of all about like what you put into it in a way. Like you can make it whatever you want it to be. 

Mike Ham [34:25 - 34:25]: 100%. 

Emerson Woolf [34:26 - 34:26]: Yeah. 

Mike Ham [34:26 - 34:52]: Yeah, that's really what it is. It's like you can make it whatever you want and you can. Can like give or not give as much as totally as much as you want. Turn this, pick it off, turn it back on, Whatever. Can we talk a little bit about the what's. Or this is what we'll do. Let's hit with the socials and where people can go find you and the band and like where they can find all the stuff coming up and then maybe we'll do a song. 

Emerson Woolf [34:52 - 34:53]: Okay. Yeah, Sounds good. 

Mike Ham [34:54 - 35:05]: I like that. Yeah, we're like right up. This is a perfect time, amount of time of an episode. So let's hit him with all the socials and then we'll kind of get like, regrouped. I'll move the cameras around the mics and then we'll. We'll get that going. So. 

Emerson Woolf [35:05 - 35:23]: Sounds good. Yeah. So you can find us on Instagram @emersonwoolf music. Same username on TikTok. We're new over there, but come say hello anyway. Yeah. And you can also find us, obviously on Spotify, Apple Music, wherever you're streaming. Emerson woolf and the Wishbones. 

Mike Ham [35:23 - 35:32]: Awesome. Well, we'll put all those in the show notes. People just go click them, check them out, engage with the stuff, join that community. Because you have a broadcast channel. 

Emerson Woolf [35:32 - 35:34]: Yes, the broadcast channel. We have a lot of fun. 

Mike Ham [35:34 - 35:35]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [35:35 - 35:49]: We, like, talk about art and we share pictures of our cats and stuff. Amazing. Yeah, yeah. And the broadcast channel also, I do like giveaways and stuff. Like the broadcast channel. We're the first people to be able to like, order vinyl things like that. So, like. Yeah, if you want to be in the know. 

Mike Ham [35:49 - 35:50]: Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [35:50 - 35:50]: Yes. 

Mike Ham [35:50 - 35:52]: I'm getting one. I'm very excited. Yeah. 

Emerson Woolf [35:52 - 35:53]: Thank you for ordering one. 

Mike Ham [35:53 - 35:56]: Absolutely. I mean, I gotta put it on the Wal off and I mean, I. 

Emerson Woolf [35:56 - 35:57]: I'm very excited for that to be here. 

Mike Ham [35:57 - 36:01]: Me too. And then like merch and stuff like that too. 

Emerson Woolf [36:01 - 36:15]: Yep. Did that all through the broadcast channel. We do giveaways. We do like short pre orders of stuff. You can also find our merch shop on our Patreon. Support us over there if you'd like to help us get some funding for the tour. 

Mike Ham [36:15 - 36:19]: Yeah, amazing. Well, thank you for coming over. 

Emerson Woolf [36:19 - 36:20]: Thank you for having me. 

Mike Ham [36:20 - 36:41]: We'll get regrouped here in a second. We'll, you know, move everything around, but we'll put all the links in the show notes. People just go click them. We'll put greetings from the gardensate.com in the show notes as well. So people just go check that out with all of our other episodes from this year. Thank you again. Thank you, everybody, for listening. This has been the Greetings from the Garden State podcast, powered by the New Jersey Lottery. I'm Mike Ham and we'll catch you next time. 

Emerson Woolf [36:48 - 36:55]: Baby. Do you. All right. Oh, tell me before you go.