Emanuel Wynter is a classically trained violinist and songwriter from Charlotte with a unique blend of R&B and Rock.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Anthony Hamilton and Leon Bridges, he has developed a distinctive sound equipped with raw emotional lyricism and polished melodies. His authentic approach to music is utterly captivating, with each song offering a deeply gratifying and soul-satisfying experience. After playing a supporting role in various music groups, Wynter emerged as an independent songwriter and artist in 2018 with his album 'Cosmos.' His diligent efforts have unveiled his most recent single, "Stranger," marking an exciting new chapter in his musical journey.
"Stranger" is a song that encapsulates the immediate, thrilling spark of a connection between two people. Its lyrics poetically convey the characters' evolution from being transitory strangers in passing to becoming kindred spirits. The song portrays desire, curiosity, and authenticity through a relaxed rhythm and a sequence of rich harmonies, a hallmark of Wynter's expressive blend of R&B and Rock music.
The emotional rawness of this track is beautifully expressed through refined lyricism, a mellow bass line, and nostalgic guitar melodies. The verses are accompanied by Emanuel’s soulful vocals that transport listeners back to their most blissful memories.
“Stranger” is a serene sonic experience that mirrors the human desire for connection and understanding. This song is a standout addition to Emanuel Wynter’s musical repertoire as it explores the heart of human connection passionately and profoundly.
Welcome to BuzzMusic, Emanuel Wynter, and congratulations on your latest release, "Stranger." You have developed a distinct sound that blends many genres, ranging from R&B and Jazz to Rock music. How does your background as a classically trained violinist influence your current music style?
Funny enough, I don't think my classical training greatly influences my music style. Of course, that's where my journey as a musician began, and it allowed me to acquaint myself with the violin deeply. Even though I was captivated by the musicality of Vivaldi, Vitali, and Chopin, my earliest "lightbulb" inspiration moments came during my high school days as I explored Blues, Rock, Jazz, and Soul. I loved hearing John Mayer's lyricism intertwined with blues-driven guitar on his live Where the Light Is album. I enjoyed the Rock, Blues, and Soul mix in Gary Clark Jr.'s Blak and Blu. I would play the grooves of John Legend's Live at SOB's album on repeat. Listening to that stuff made me want to make music that gave others the feeling I was experiencing.
How does your songwriting process typically unfold? Do you begin with a sequence of melodies, or are you more lyrically driven? I don't have a streamlined process. Some songs are written with music first and lyrics later. Before I wrote the lyrics, Stranger was an 8-bar loop saved on my computer under the filename June '22. Other songs are written with a guitar, lyrics, and music simultaneously. I try to make a point to write as often as possible, even if it's only one line. That way, I can always revisit and explore my ideas later. I have written songs that have taken months to complete, changing and growing before I settle into a creative direction. "Stranger" beautifully captures the allure and curiosity of a new relationship. Is there a personal story behind these lyrics, or is the story more concept-based? I've had several encounters where I was going about my day only to get pleasantly sidetracked by an interaction, be it a brief conversation, a transaction at the store, or even just a moment of coy eye contact. At that moment, you think about whether or not to make the move before you lose your chance with that person. I'm a reserved person who historically hasn't taken those chances, so writing Stranger was a cool "what if" scenario to explore. I enjoyed letting my imagination guide me during the writing process. I love love, and I think it's beautiful to allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to fall for someone. How cool is it that something like that can happen from a chance encounter with a stranger? The rich phonetics of “Stranger” will undoubtedly leave audiences feeling relaxed and renewed. Is there a particular message you hope listeners take away from this track? I write many songs where time plays a big role in the lyrics and the concept. It's not so overt in Stranger, but I think it applies. The overall idea is that there is value to be found in the present. In this case, it's the allure of a potential connection with a new person, and that potential can be realized, or it can fade as that person walks away. Even if nothing comes of it, the potential is still worth enjoying, even for a moment. In another case, it could be how the clouds look when the sun sets. That's a very simple thing, but it's worth enjoying. We should all enjoy where we are in the moment. You have developed an impressive discography over the years since your first EP release in 2020, “These Past Few Years.” How do you feel your music has evolved since then, and how do you see it evolving in the future? I say this now, and I'll probably say this again two years from now, but I feel like I know what I'm doing now. Cosmos was the first song I released back in 2018, and by the time it made it to the streaming platforms, I had re-recorded several iterations of it for over a year, trying to make each one better than the last. Five years later, I can almost look back and see things that I could have, and would have, done differently had I had the production and song-building skills I have now. My palette has more colors and textures to materialize my ideas better. I also know this isn't the end of my journey, and I'll probably look at Stranger in the same way in five years. That's exciting to think about. From a creative standpoint, I think I'm leaning more into my rock influences than I was before. I mean this broadly, not just with Stranger, and people will be able to hear that in my upcoming releases. It's always been front and center in my live performances, and over the past couple of years, I've been exploring how to capture that better feel while recording. I've been able to create music that I know will be enjoyable to listen to and will also translate to a dynamic live experience.
