#MusicExchange: Emma van Heyn collaborates with Øceans on new track "Parallel Babe"

A partnership forged online, Øceans discovered Van Heyn's music on Instagram in 2020. “I thought she had an amazing voice, which would suit an instrumental track I was working on at the time. We connected and started working on the track with her vocal hook as the base,” recalls Øceans.

Working together for the first time, Van Heyn was taken immediately by Øceans’s approach to production. “Øceans is very hands-on and open to suggestions. He is also extremely organised.

“Working as a music producer myself, it makes it very easy to communicate with similar jargon. It also makes it an eye-opening experience to learn from one another and see how these genres are able to complement each other.”

Bringing the sound of Øceans to the writing of Van Heyn, “Parallel Babe” was originally written by Van Heyn while living in a hotel in Shanghai. “Spending a year there, it was prevalent how patrons were prone to enter a ‘fantasy realm’ in this wonderful city. I wanted to explore the psyche and narrative of playing the role of the ‘untouchable’ or the ‘product of desire’ - that being the ‘parallel babe’. Even if it is against her own will,” explains Van Heyn.

Adding to the track from what Van Heyn had composed, Øceans developed the sound for the production, saying: “I really felt a dark jealous feel in Emma's vocal and wanted the bassline and overall musical aesthetic to represent that internal turmoil and broodiness.”

I chatted to Van Heyn last week. 

The new decade means:

Back to basics.

Retirement will happen when:

When my bank account and I are equally relaxed.

What does music mean to you?

We get each other.

My music is about:

Everything I struggle to make sense of.

I would love to co-write with:

Quincy Jones.

Where do you go for inspiration to create?

I get the most inspired on an aeroplane.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

The release I feel after plotting something down.

The song you must do in every show:

My cover of “Vincent” by Don McLean.

Any funny moments on stage:

I once had a teenager rap to me while I was performing a dreamy set, asking for a big break. Another time, I threw up while singing “Happy Birthday” to someone. I also had a random man gently caress my back while I was playing the piano.

What is your most treasured possession?

My ears.

It’s your round, what are you drinking?

Whisky on the rocks at a club, red wine around the dinner table, champers during the day.

Dream gig to do:

If Cardi B does acrobatics somewhere in the middle of my set, I’m done.

What makes you stand out?

I never stick to a musical recipe and I stay true to what the story asks of me.

Nicknames:

Em, Little, Vlooitjie, Emmer, Stemps.

If you were not a musician, what would you do?

I’d be something in the line of PR.

Who would play you in a Hollywood blockbuster and why?

Phoebe Waller-Bridge because she’s an awkwardly good time. Keira Knightly could be her stunt double if she’s up for it.

Pick five words to describe yourself?

Hardworking, sensitive, conceptualist, giver, evolver.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means:

Mok - that’s not a vibe.

Top of your bucket list:

To churn out as many creative projects as possible.

Your greatest achievement:

Learning to care less and love more.

On stage, I tend to:

Make people cry.

The best life lesson you have been taught:

To not focus on the fluff.

Do you do charity work and, if you do, what do you do?

I am currently developing a therapy; I support Four Paws; and I help other artists achieve their creative potential.

Wishes and dreams:

I wish to never stop dreaming.

Social media:

Instagram | Facebook
www.emmavanheyn.com