Emilie Autumn is a singer, poet, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who's primary instrument is violin.
Emilie was born in Malibu, California in September of 1979. At mere age of two she was diagnosed with leukemia. Through treatment she recovered from the the cancer and took up the violin, becoming engrossed in the instrument. She was so dedicated to it that before she even made it to double digits she left school with the goal of becoming a world class violinist.
When she became a teenager she started to write music and attend Music Conservatory at the university of Indiana. After two years she would leave that too claiming that she did so because they discouraged her individualism. It was around this time that she started to teach herself piano (her secondary instrument behind violin) and started her own record label Traitor Records, through which she recorded and released her first record "On A Day..." in 2000. Her debut is interesting in that it's an album of classical music and was recorded in it's entirety in a single day. "On A Day..." had an understandably limited release and would later be re-released as the first disc of her "Laced/Unlaced" album in 2007 after she established a fan base.
In 2002, Emilie recorded her first original release "Enchanted" which she describes as "fantasy rock" as the album is a concept album that revolves around castles and warped fairy tales with innocent little fairies who could bite your face off . One thing that is very interesting about the original, Traitor Records release of "Enchanted" is that comes with a puzzle that consists of many pictures, rhymes, and riddles which upon being solved would lead someone to the Faerie Queen's wings, ruff, fan and scepter. Some fans suspect that the answer to the puzzle is a way of contacting Emilie but this is strictly speculation as no one has yet to correctly solve the puzzle.
In 2006 (after some musical inactivity) Emilie attempted suicide and was admitted to an L.A. mental institution where she was kept on suicide watch and eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She says the reasons behind her suicide attempt stemmed from her "****ed up upbringing" and how she was raped when she was little.
During Emilie's time in the mental institution she made a connection between where she was hospitalized and old Victorian asylums. She used this as fuel for her next album and my favorite from her, "Opheliac". The album draws it's named from the character Ophelia from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" (Shakespeare being one of Emilie's biggest influences) whom Emilie identifies with and is the literary archetype for self destructive women. The subject matter of the album is very heavy and all based on Emilie's own experiences. These subjects include suicide, self mutilation, bipolar disorder, and sexual abuse.
Over the past few years Emilie has released some EPs and some remixes of the songs on "Enchanted" and "Opheliac" but has yet to release a true album since 2006.
Musically Emilie's style is somewhat hard to define. She incorporates a mix of genres with the core of her music being based on cabaret, classical, folk, and electronic influences. In addition to violin and piano she also plays guitar, cello, and harpsichord (a favorite of mine), all of which are very audible in her music. She plays all of these instruments as well as handling vocals for all of her albums. The only instrument that is commonly heard in her recordings that she doesn't technically play would be the percussion, which is actually an electronic drum machine which is used only to keep the beat though it is significantly more prominent on her more electronica influenced recordings.
Because of the strong use of theatrics in her show and her music style she has built a strong following in the underground dark cabaret music scene (which is most commonly recognizable through the success of The Dresden Dolls).
Love this and glad you went through with the thread! I would definitely buy this but can't really add any articulate commentary as I'm tired as hell but I will either come back and add some insight or sneak it in through an edit! Thanks for the cool find Cosmic!
Take your time Sooty. The thread's not going anywhere.
Originally Posted by METALPRIEST
Oh man this is pretty good! So bizarre and wonderful and the thread itself looks great!!
Emilie is definitely some kind of bizarre. Honestly, I don't think she's entirely all together in the head but whether she is or isn't she's still a very talented musician.
Just to show off the level of musicianship Emilie has...here is a live recording of "Face The Wall", the closing track to her "Laced/Unlaced" album (and for a concert goer's recording it's actually pretty good quality).
She absolutely shreds that violin and it sounds something like a gritty Yngwie Malmsteem song in parts.
Thank you very much, Garrett. I think Emilie is such a distinctive individual because she's been through a number of powerful experiences and because of her bipolar disorder (which she does take medication for). It gives her a one of a kind approach to music and a fantastic interpretation of her influences.
Originally Posted by aeroplane
Checked out What If. Not my cup of tea but she has a very unique sound.
Yes, well she certainly isn't for everyone. At least you liked "4 O'clock" more.
The Emilie Autumn Thread 
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Thanks for the cool find Cosmic! 
Great thread......Emile is truly unique! 
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