emily the band seems to know when the world needs them most. The queer girl group has kept a somewhat low profile on streaming platforms since its first album, “the heartbreak album,” dropped in 2022.
Three years later, the band has a new label, a new EP and renewed vigor to spread its message: queer love for all, with a hint of — as lead singer Emily Antonacci puts it — “telling somebody to kiss my a–.”
“mwah!” is emily the band’s newest project, officially emerging after being in the works for a year and a half. Following a string of singles, including the pop-influenced “marceline,” somber ballad “sweet aquamarine” and rock-coded “tuesday street,” “mwah!” brings the love in full force.
“There’s so much about love and about loving our friends, loving each other,” said Abbey Haste, drummer for emily the band. “I think that is really what a lot of people want to hear right now and is really what’s needed in this world, is a lot more love.”
According to guitarist Camryn Proctor, the six-track EP puts emily the band in new territory, represented in the range of the singles preceding the album. “tuesday street,” the group’s collaboration with friend and fellow artist Patty PerShayla, is its strongest rock-driven release yet.
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On the other hand, tunes like “& back again” bring an entirely different energy from the group. A sharp contrast from the revenge-filled “tuesday street,” the groovy single brings a unique touch, building anticipation for the rest of the record.
“I think people who are familiar with our work can expect the unexpected,” Proctor said. “I love how the EP sounds. I definitely think it is the most authentic thing we’ve ever created, and it makes me really excited to create even more between the three of us.”
Part of the group’s magic is how long it’s been creating music together — and individually. Though the group officially formed in 2021, it’s been collaborating for much longer, according to Antonacci. Proctor said the platonic love relationship between the three makes their sound so special.
“We, all three, are very much in love with each other,” Proctor said. “The way I like to put it is, the love between us doesn’t necessarily make making music easy, but it makes it very intuitive because we know each other very well.”
According to all three musicians, love is a central focus of the new music. The group has always been unabashedly queer, and that isn’t changing anytime soon.
“mwah!” is “gay music for gay people — and straight people can listen because we accept them as they are,” Antonnacci said.
Proctor and Haste described the EP as bringing a necessary representation of queer and platonic love. The band’s love for one another has propelled them forward all these years, from music to podcasts to live shows across the Midwest.
“I think what is going to heal us all — especially in these coming years — is finding more platonic love and uplifting (it) as potentially the most important love in the world,” Proctor said.
In the current political climate of executive crackdowns on underrepresented communities, such as the transgender community, emily the band emphasized the importance of bringing a safe space through its music and live performances.
“What’s very important is community right now, especially if you feel lost or scared,” Haste said. “Having something that you can listen to or pay attention to that’s centered around loving each other and accepting each other how we are is very inspirational.”
With its “worldwide tour of the Midwest,” according to Antonacci, emily the band will bring its message of spreading love across state borders in the coming months. The band’s currently planned stops include Iowa City, Iowa, Lawrence, Kansas, and multiple venues right here in Champaign-Urbana.
Proctor emphasized that creating this community in assorted spots across the region is more important to the band now than ever. Traveling to different towns and cities brings more than the band’s music — it provides a safe space for its audience to enjoy.
“I know how much trans and genderqueer people are feeling very unseen right now … but you can always be safe and seen in our space,” Proctor said. “There is nothing that could ever happen that would take that away from us. This is one of my roles in healing right now, is to just give people a place to be and play beautiful music and be like, ‘We can listen to music, and I can see you, and you can see me.’”
The fun starts this Saturday at The Space in downtown Champaign with the EP’s official release party. All are welcome for a night of featured bands, drag and, of course, queer love and celebration.
“Shout out to the girls, and shout out to the queers,” Antonacci said. “We love you now and forever. What are they going to do, tell us ‘stop being gay?’”
