LISTEN

“Roaring fire”

Available now on bandcamp

SOLO WORK

Guitar-slinging, piano-bashing Emily Aldridge will be writing music until they send her into the deep woods at a ripe old age. She’s been crooning her own tunes since she formed her first band “Idyll” sophomore year of high school in the late 90’s. Early tunes were all written on acoustic guitar but as she began to surround herself with better musicians, she found a love for heavier music and picked up the electric guitar.

Now entering her third decade as a songwriter and front woman, she’s evolving again. Releasing song covers on YouTube during the pandemic era has pushed Em outside her comfort zone finding a desire for bigger, more technical music. It’s a brand new era for Emily’s solo compositions!

Photo by Tara Baldree

Below is a special selection of Emily & the Gypsy Fire music originally released in 2014. This was Emily’s first solo rock project with full band featuring the guitars and production of Matt Stoops, bass by Ted Sisak and drums by Cory Stewart.

Photo by Rocky Burnside

TALL DARK WHIMSY

2018 brought a new renaissance, as Emily found herself writing heavy music again. This music was different. It was melancholic yet heart-pumping, keeping her busy for hours a day. With a dream in her heart, and stardust swirling all around, she was longing for connection with humans on a stage that could hold the vision she had for new dramatic tunes. In late 2019, she manifested the coolest trio ever birthed into the galaxy: Tall Dark Whimsy featuring Shannon Eon (Drums), Alexis Moore (Bass) and Em at the helm. This is the all-female rock and metal sensation that would soon set Em’s dark tunes spinning into a destiny for ears and years to come.

Tall Dark Whimsy boarded their alien starship for a four month run of debut shows, song releases and video shoot. Just as they were launching to their stardom, the planet retreated into pandemic pandemonium. Alongside the chaos and uncertainty of the times, the band released their debut tune “Judge Mental'“ feat. Matt Stoops in late 2019. The official music video for the debut single followed in early 2020, as well as a protest anthem released that same summer called “Starve The King”.

In early 2021 the band released their third single, “Wabi Sabi” a new wave’esque dance track, and in June, the band had the incredible honor of opening for the Portland, Oregon premiere of FANNY: The Right to Rock (a film by Bobbi Jo Hart). This was a very special performance, as TDW got to play the songs of Fanny, the talented all-female band from the 1960’s and 70’s whose fame was essentially buried.

Tall Dark Whimsy’s magic continues to encircle the earth with the release of “The Stitcher” in 2021. The band played their farewell show on May 14th, 2022 at Dantes in Portland, Oregon, as Em made the move to Germany.

Artwork by Rob Walden

SACRIFICE TO SURVIVE

As the front woman of progressive metal band Sacrifice to Survive, Emily feels the pure bliss of collaboration in writing alongside STS creator, and life partner Matt Stoops. Sacrifice to Survive’s music is emotional, cinematic and highly technical which provides the ultimate challenge for Emily as a singer and lyricist. At it’s core, STS is the music of Matt Stoops, the vocals of Emily Aldridge in elemental collaboration with guitarist and vocalist Cory Stewart,

Sacrifice to Survive was born under the name “Luminesce” in Jacksonville, FL in 2009. The band began to perform, record and evolve, bringing on talented members. STS released their first ever self-titled album in 2011, featuring Jordan Holley on drums and Ted Sisak on bass.

In 2013 Sacrifice to Survive released their concept EP “Singularity”, featuring drummer Joshua Hughes to rave reviews: “This Modern Progressive/Alternative Metal hybrid showcases song-oriented yet detailed and versatile instrumental work and creative and extremely catchy vocal melodies from start to finish.” - STS fan (Bandcamp).

Matt, Emily and Cory relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of adventure and creative inspiration in 2015, and quickly jump-started their 2nd chapter with Sacrifice to Survive, introducing Rob Barnett on drums and Olivia Howle on bass. The band enjoyed performing to new audiences and stages as they took to the mists of Portland and Seattle.

In 2018, STS released high powered single “Turning Point,” inspired by their new surroundings. In 2020 they released “Future Sun,” featuring Emily’s intricate harmonies and lyrics centered around the effects and devastation of climate change and looking ahead to the final frontier of space.

GALLERY