About to Pop: Val Emmich

Who: Val Emmich
Album: 'Little Daggers'
Single: 'Get on With It'
Hails From: Manalapan, NJ
For Fans Of: Pete Yorn and Butch Walker

Why He's About to Pop: After being diagnosed with Lyme's Disease, Val Emmich was forced to nix strenuous activity, leading him to pick up the guitar and penning his own songs at age 15. While attending Rutgers University, the rock singer-songwriter joined bands such as Awake Asleep and Ben Trovato, while pursuing acting on the side. He later landed several national ad campaigns and TV shows. After graduating in 2001, Emmich concentrated on his solo music career with an indie EP called 'The 15 Minute Relationship,' and a full-length album entitled 'Slow Down Kid,' which eventually got him signed with Epic Records. In 2006, Emmich parted ways with the Epic and found a new home in Bluhammock Records, all while still taking on TV and movie roles. This year, Emmich has not only released his Bluhammok debut, 'Little Daggers,' but he's also scored a recurring role in ABC's 'Ugly Betty' and penned his first novel. Check out the triple-threat live in concert on select dates in November.

What inspired the songs on your record?

Lyrically, it was just different stories, both personal and from the people around me -- friends, family, acquaintances. All around me there are people who are continually failing to find a so-called true love, or even simpler, to keep a solid relationship going. The thing I find most amazing is that no matter how many times we are unsuccessful, we never stop trying. We need love in our lives no matter what pain it sometimes bring. Perhaps the fact that it is so elusive is what makes it so incredibly valuable.

Musically, it was old '60s records like 'Sgt. Peppers,' 'Pet Sounds' and all the great Motown singles that inspired me. I wanted to have a bed of sound underneath that was upbeat and hopeful in order to counterbalance the sometimes dreary story on top.

What's your favorite song on the record?

It changes all the time. Today, it's 'Hurt More Later' because it best captures what I was explaining above.

If you could have any musician's career other than your own, whose would it be?

I would say either Pearl Jam or Radiohead. Both seem to care first and foremost about the art, and both have enough trust from their fans that they can drive their career in a way that works for them personally, as opposed to some trend of the market. I also respect the fact that each of those bands tries to use their fame to support social causes they believe in. And finally, they both have and will continue to have long careers, which is always a big achievement in today's musical climate.

How was it working on 'Ugly Betty'? Will we be seeing more of you on the show?

Working on the show is fantastic. The cast and crew is very warm and welcoming, not to mention immensely talented. For me, it's especially sweet because not only do I get to play a musician but I get to play some of my own music on the show.Yes, you'll see more of me. My character becomes bigger as the season progresses.

If you had to choose only one profession -- writing, acting or playing music -- which would you pick?

I would love not to have to choose. One of the things I don't like about our society is how compartmentalized we are. When you go to college, you have to pick a single focus, a major. I've spent a large portion of my life trying not to feel limited by one label. But since you're asking me to choose, at this point I would probably say writer for a few reasons. For one, it's not based on your looks, like the other two. It doesn't involve as much traveling. It's more private than singing or acting and somewhat anonymous, at least comparatively. And it's something you can do when you are old and gray; all you need are a few fingers to type and a functioning brain. Then again, maybe I'm choosing writing because it's the newest.

What did you think life as a musician would be like when you first started out and how does it compare to what it's really like for you now?

I was 15. I had no idea about anything. I thought I would have a big record deal, play sold out shows in front of screaming fans in giant arenas, several big radio hits and a few huge videos on MTV. I got the big record deal but I didn't anticipate all the consolidating of companies and the layoffs that ensued. It turns out radio plays only ten different songs and MTV doesn't play videos. Perhaps the biggest game changers are the Internet and the advancement in recording technology, which I couldn't factor into my equation. Both have given the artist more control and power than they ever had, yet the problem is that both give every single person equal power, and so it's nearly impossible to be heard above the noise. All in all, I can't complain. I continue to make albums the way I want to make them and that is all that matters to me.

Buy the single on iTunes