Emma Warren interview

How do you describe what you do?

I have learned to say ‘I’m a writer’. It’s not easy to say this, for all sorts of reasons. But now, I say it. If people ask what I write about, then I’ll say that I write about music, culture and community. Having a non-standard job makes it hard to explain yourself. 

Who are your role models?

This is an interesting question which I’ll answer sideways. I like to think of having kindred spirits across time and space. What this means is that I’ll come across a writer, a thinker or a do-er and I’ll recognise shared values. They might be more skilful or experienced than me, or they might be less so. Sometimes I have this experience with writers, othertimes with people engaged in work that appears different to mine. But wherever I find a kindred spirit I feel good. It gives me reassurance and offers encouragement. I also like to think about myself as part of a collective entity, so the question ‘who are my peers?’ – or ‘who would I like to sit alongside?’ – is a good one for me to consider every now and again. 

What of the many projects you have been involved in has given you the most satisfaction?

I worked at Live Magazine, a youth-run publication in Brixton in the 2000s. I learned a lot, and made friendships and relationships that remain present and percolating. I heard a phrase on the Roberta Flack documentary I watched after she died – ‘lift as you rise’ – and I think that describes what happened for so many of us, mentors and contributors, at Live. That is very satisfying. 

What is your favourite story in Dance Your Way Home?

That’s a hard question! But the story of the U18s jungle nights that Subject 13 ran in the 1990s never fails to make me smile. I love that they did it, making it their business to run nights for teengers with the inevitable comedy that follows. There are details in their story which act as a reminder of how wildly different the past was, making it one of my favourite passages to read out loud. 

How do you discover new music?

I deactivated Spotify as part of an ongoing attempt to deny dangerous tech lords my data. I’ve always used Bandcamp a lot, and value the way I can find new music and support artists by buying their music. I don’t get into Sounds of the Universe as often as I’d like but it’s my favourite record shop. I also listen a lot to the Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ and have come across some incredible artists including this brilliant collaboration between RÓIS and Eoghan Ó’Ceannabháin. 

Are you working on a new book?

Yep. It digs deep into an area of communal life that was touched on in Dance Your Way Home and it’ll be out in September, with Faber. 

What are you reading at the moment?

‘Steering The Craft’ by Ursula K. Le Guin. I love reading writers on their craft and this slender book is incredible. It’s her synthesis of the many workshops she ran in her life, and it’s giving me some good nudges as I head into the copy edit of my next book. All I ever want is to become a better writer. I’ve also just read Wendy Erskine’s new book The Benefactors and can’t recommend it enough. She’s wickedly astute.