by Emily Branden | Mar 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
I was brought to my knees more than once in Nashville. I grew up on old country. I had The Judds Greatest Hits on cassette tape my stepmother let me blare in car rides home. I wailed to Patsy Cline before I knew what heartbreak was—except I did. Daddy divorced Mama...
by Emily Branden | Feb 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
I’ve always felt Valentine’s Day was marketed, too generally. I mean, how to find the card for that friend/crush you share silence with in a way that feels like your cheating on their on-again/off again girlfriend? Be. My. Valentine. Or one for the latest ex that will...
by Emily Branden | Jan 14, 2019 | Uncategorized
As a member of SAG-AFTRA, I take this voting time of year seriously. I curl up and watch each film so I can check the boxes with due process. This year’s Green Book is what film is all about; Vice—equally challenging and difficult to take in. Like our current shut...
by Emily Branden | Dec 9, 2018 | Uncategorized
Diving off my paddle board into the Sea of Cortez…I realized I’d been living life half full. An apparent rebel and teacher of seizing the moment, it’s a human flaw—our denying ourselves. My mind racing about covering class, or even going to Cabo when I should...
by Emily Branden | Oct 24, 2018 | Uncategorized
I love horror flicks, the unexplained makes sense to me. I dig the creepier moments in life because being scared means I’m alive. Study skulls and death, and get used to it cuz’ that’s where you’re headed. You’ll live more. There’s too much judgment in our...
by Emily Branden | Sep 18, 2018 | Uncategorized
It’s raining in New Orleans and my head is swimming in jazz… Mid City late night, oyster houses and the way my sax player makes me laugh. I came to escape heartbreak and loss, except that’s what this town does best in the face of storms. You can still feel her...
by Emily Branden | Aug 14, 2018 | Uncategorized
Really, all I used to do as a kid is teach my stuffed animals—and sing. Mary Poppins was my go-to, until I met Tammy and started singing “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” with gusto pre-teen. And then came Patsy…and I sang “Crazy” till I was blue. I was busted in high school gym...
by Emily Branden | Jul 21, 2018 | Uncategorized
I like to walk up to Cross of the Martyrs overlooking Santa Fe, where mountains wrap beyond my peripheral. Because I’ve needed faith these days, I’ve needed to trust, trust. It all moves so fast, I’m grateful for the cool mornings before the parties. It’s been a Bob...
by Emily Branden | Jun 13, 2018 | Uncategorized
I was watching the city lights come up over Los Angeles dusk a few weekends ago, a childhood friend making homemade pizza from her Echo Park kitchen… We blasted Chris Stapleton all weekend musing how we’ve traded in our Docs for cowboy boots and the old country...
by Emily Branden | May 16, 2018 | Uncategorized
I love squealing with delight as the first hummingbird hits the feeder. The sounds of live music wafting from the plaza, and sun setting pink in the sky. I wonder why we get so trapped by labels and definitions, and the illusion of time when love—is everywhere…?...
