Emma Geiger

“ . . . wonderfully understated folk songs . . .” —Bandcamp

“Emma Geiger is easily one of our favorite folksy finds of 2023. . . . Geiger’s music carries such an authentic and emotional weight that we trust her completely.” —UpToHear 

“[Geiger’s music] struck us with its ability to capture the strange halfway quality of crepuscular light. The fleeting moment between night and day that carries its own inherent stillness.” —Various Small Flames

Emma Geiger’s 2023 singles “All Your Words” and “Empty” explored the ambiguity, tensions and contradictions experienced at the end of a relationship – with “Reverse Bloom” the tender and powerful title track from her upcoming debut album, Geiger contemplates the loss of a friendship.

Geiger began writing “Reverse Bloom” in response to a song released by a once close friend about their fallout. Geiger recalls, “When I first heard it, I felt her anger, frustration and bitterness. That friendship meant a lot to me, and losing it really shook me. It brought up a lot of questions about who I am, and who I was in that relationship.”

With its expansive arrangement and imagery from the natural world, “Reverse Bloom” rejects bitterness and instead offers a tender and open hearted vulnerability. “When I sing “Reverse Bloom” now, I don’t feel as weighed down by the feeling of loss. I’m reminded that the story may have more chapters, and I think that’s something worth remembering in relation to all kinds of losses or regrets. When we tell ourselves that a story is over, it’s like we are preventing it from being changed. “Reverse Bloom” reminds me that endings don’t have to be so final.”

Geiger’s debut album (April 26) of the same name is her second collection of songs and follows the 2022 EP Haven, which was released with Ghost Mountain Records and garnered attention from Bandcamp’s New and Notable, Various Small Flames, IndyWeek, WXDU and WKNC, among others. “Reverse Bloom” is Geiger’s third single from Geiger’s upcoming debut album.

The songs on Reverse Bloom have different origins than those on Haven, but draw from the same emotional core – Geiger’s creative attunement and distinct artistic perspective. “The record is about passion and ambivalence, aspects of love and longing and loss—sometimes more raw and uncomfortable emotions—but it’s not focused on the past. I think of it as a place where I was able to wrestle with a lot of things, and ultimately lean towards hope. I want to allow space for things to transform, as people grow and change. I think this is what I’ll take with me from the process of making the album, to refrain from creating expectations or reaching conclusions so that possibilities can unfurl.”

The album features contributions from Justin Morris (Sluice, Fust), Joe Westerlund (Califone, Sylvan Esso), Zack Kardon (Indigo De Souza, The Dead Tongues), Emma Kelly (Happy Axe, Maple Glider), Michael Grigoni (Taylor Deupree, Chihei Hatakeyama), Katie Addada Shlon (mems) and Archer Boyette, among others.

Emma Geiger is based in Durham, NC.