If you’ve walked into a show of Emma Dean’s in the past 2 years, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been swallowed into a twisted day-dream. Dean has become the guilty pleasure of the underground with nationally sold-out shows, festival appearances and supports with Amanda Palmer, The Dresden Dolls and Katie Noonan. Her unique shows feature Emma’s ‘Imaginary Friends‘ who create a menagerie of fantasy dressed in corsets and fish-nets, dancing and thrusting their way around the room in time with Dean’s emotive pop-driven songs.

After a successful debut album, Dean will release her sophomore effort in November 2010, ‘Dr Dream and the Imaginary Pop-Cabaret‘, in which she takes us on a journey through her fears, dreams, nightmares and confessions. Pre-release singles from the album have already spent weeks at number one on the Triple J Unearthed charts and pricked the interest of discerning critics from Australia and the world. So what can we expect from her new CD?

“Essentially, I think of my original music as being piano- based cabaret-tinged pop which is presented with a theatrical flair. In short, I call it pop-cabaret”, Dean muses. “This particular body of work explores themes such as imagination, insanity, fear, obsession and dreams. Dr Dream is one of the characters from my Imaginary Friends tour and this album is all about me sitting in his office, on his big black chair and rambling on about the inner-most workings of my mind. It’s about letting go of all the things I’m normally too afraid and ashamed to speak of and unashamedly airing them in song. It’s been scary but therapeutic.”

Emma will be launching her album in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne in November and you can pre-order a copy of the album at www.emmadean.com.

I had the chance to ask Emma some questions about things such as her interest in music, the sound of her music, and who she would like to work with. You can read about that below.

When did you first realize you had an interest in music and what sparked that interest?

My interest sparked partly because my dad was a radio announcer at 4MBS Classic FM during the 80s. I used to try and talk to him through the speakers at home when he was on air, thinking that he could hear me! It became really obvious to my mum and dad that I showed a keen interest in music so they enrolled me in a music school in Brisbane when I was three years old. I took classes on the weekend in music theory, and when I was six I started the violin.

What drives and inspires you to do what you love?

The desire to express myself through little musical stories and fairytales. The drive to create something extraordinary. The magical world where live pop music meets theatre. The joy I get when collaborating with my friends and like-minded artists. A need to connect. A constant craving to learn and improve.

Do you find it easy to sing and perform? Does it come naturally for you?

90% of the time I feel more at home on stage than I do off stage. Having said that, I think natural performance ability is not something you should ever take for granted. I believe that it should be constantly honed and worked on, so even when you are having an “off day”, you can still remain connected.

Besides music, what are some of your favorite things to do?

At the moment I don’t have much time to do any of the other things I really enjoy outside music! It’s been such a busy year. I love to go to the gym because it’s the one thing that helps me stay balanced. I also love to drink wine and coffee, read books, draw, go out to dinner with friends, see movies and find bargains at the markets and op shops!

If you had the chance to work or record with anyone, who would you choose?

I would want to collaborate with Tim Burton on a movie or film clip and also record an album with Danny Elfman. I’ve also recently dreamed about working with Imogen Heap and introducing an electro element to my music. One day

How would you describe the sound of your music?

I call my music pop-cabaret. I think it is essentially piano driven alternative pop, but what makes it different is the theatrical flair in which it is delivered. Many people have also likened my performance to a neo- burlesque show, which is more about the tease than the strip.

How do you feel that you’re different from other artists in your genre?

At the moment I work with three physical theatre performers who act as “my imaginary friends” . They play three different facets of my imagination which are present in many of my songs. All these performers have been trained in the Japanese Suzuki method of physical theatre and all have worked with an amazing company from Brisbane called Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre. It’s an unusual and off-kilter aesthetic which is prevalent in some of our choreography.

What are some of your short-term and long-term goals you have lined out for yourself?

A short term goal would be to sell out my album launch shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne this November! A medium term goal would be to become involved in a professional team who are working towards getting my music and performances out to the world! I would love travel and sell out shows whilst making enough money to live off the art that I want to create! A long term goal would be to own a house on the beach and a musical cafe with a music school out the back. Every week I would hold concerts for students to perform at. I love the idea of creating a thriving musical community that encourages young performers that may not fit in to a mainstream box. I also want to improve my baking skills.

What are your upcoming plans for promoting your music?

I am working closely with SGC Media for another month which has been an incredibly positive and eye-opening experience for me. I will of course be hitting the social networking sites and keeping a constant stream of material coming on youtube/blogs and mail outs! Check out www.emmadean.com to join my mailing list and find out about my new album and launch shows!

Click here to see pictures of the 2010 Skating With The Stars cast.

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Images Via: SCG Media