02/03/2024
Grieving Adrian Emberley’s passing, I reminisce about our first encounter in 2010 at the now-closed Precinct Club in Somerville, Massachusetts. Adrian was an artist in every sense of the word. She was an actress (The Mayor of Rock N Roll-2015), an author (There Was an Old Monster-2009), a composer-music for the soundtrack “Die by the Gun” -2013) a painter and a Singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist - (Adrian Emberley & The Revolving Band, The Lady Comes First, Adrian Emberley:solo:, Mr Genius and the Robot Inventors) a fashion designer (whatta fuss!, and her own shop in Cambridge in the garment district), a music video director, a daughter and all around a positive vibrant rock ‘n’roll superhero.
Introduced to me by former local music icon Shoney Lamar, she approached me, asking to book shows, which I gladly did.
After her initial HEAR NOW LIVE! performance, she tearfully apologized for what I saw as a stirring set, missing just one guitar chord change during her set she thought she let me down and I quickly quipped “ Are you kidding me? I didn’t even notice it and that was an incredible set and you cannot leave here until you sign for me one of your 7 inch singles that I bought during your shpw” at which those sad tears turned to joyful ones. After that I saw her growth in many different artistic avenues and I always thought how the hell did she find the time to do everything. Every time we worked together it was an absolute highlight for me. Her endless support for other local musicians never went unnoticed she jumped into the scene dominanted by men and made it her own.
Adrian’s music transcended genres – folk, rock, bluegrass, jazz, blues, psychedelic, emo, and beyond. I urge you to explore her catalog and career as diverse as the artistic hats she wore daily. Onstage, she, like a pixie, defied expectations with vocal prowess and instrumental perfectionism. Her positivity and support radiated in all she did, embodying her mother’s attitude and a magical spirit.
Boston mourns the loss of an artist who helped unite a community, while selflessly showcasing an unparalleled work ethic. The shared pictures serve as a happy reminder of how swiftly the special ones come and go, urging those who knew her to carry on her vibrant spirit. The Authentic Crow mask, purchased years ago, annually graces my noggin, a constant reminder that one can be whatever they aspire to be – an actress, an author, an composer, a painter, a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music video director, fashion designer, and a rock ‘n’ roll superhero. Adrian embodied all these roles and more.