MusicTree Festival will be going down June 7 – 11 in Manchester, Tennessee. We will be publishing info and features about the bands as we close in on this event. Feel free to check out our coverage from 2012.

Let everyone know who you are, where you are from and what style of music you play.

My name is Emily Kroll and I am from Mt.Juliet, TN. I play acoustic music with pop and country influences. I am inspired by the world and people around me to write what I do.

What do you do for fun? You know…besides music?

I love to laugh. I also like to run and swim. I spend a lot of my “free” time in coffee shops writing term papers and reading textbooks. Currently, I am student at Belmont University. But honestly, my favorite place in the world is to be in an empty room with a guitar and my laptop creating new melodies and wordplay. I feel most alive when I’m writing a song.

What was the last song you listened to?

I’m currently listening to “Foolish Games” by Jewel. She is one of my biggest inspirations of all time.

What did you listen to when you were younger? What do you listen to now? Have your tastes changed?

In high school, I was really into the Christian music scene. I loved Switchfoot, Casting Crowns, and especially Francesca Battistelli. While I still buy the occasional gospel album, recently I’ve been listening to a lot of acoustic singer-songwriter music. I love to listen to music with complex lyrical content and out of the box ideas. I am very influenced Sara Bareilles, Jewel, Howie Day, John Mayer, and Kacey Musgraves.

Was there an “ah-ha” moment in your life when you knew music would be the path you were going to walk?

That’s a good question. For me, there wasn’t an “ah-ha” moment. I’ve been playing music since I was twelve years old. Music has always been my defining point. I can’t imagine pursuing anything else, because writing and playing music makes me most happy. I write songs to work out my problems and celebrate my victories. And when you find something that you want to do when you are happy and sad, I think that says something.

How did you hear about Music Tree Fest?

I was just researching for places to play this summer and ran across it.

How do you feel about being a part of Music Tree Festival?

I am so excited!! I’ve played a lot of coffee shops, bars, and charity events, but never a festival. I love the concept of the Music Tree Festival and am beyond excited to be included in the line-up.

Do you have an album available? Where can we get it? Where can people connect with you online?

You can find me online at youtube.com/astoldbyem or facebook.com/emilykrollmusic. There is free music for download on facebook. I’d love for you to check it out!

Any last thoughts? Shout outs?

I’d like to leave you with a quote by Howard Thurman that inspires me:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

This quote inspires me everyday to continue playing my music, and I hope it inspires you to follow your passion as well. Thansks for all your support and love! I’d love to see you at the festival.