The Smiths, Fleetwood Mac, John Martyn: Avalon Emerson delves into the music that inspired the sharp stylistic shift on her new record, Written Into Changes.

The most creative artists never rest on their laurels. Avalon Emerson has long cemented herself in the top tier of DJs across a revered tenure behind the decks, from San Francisco origins to Berlin highlights and Big Apple party-starting. She’s settled in upstate New York now, and since settling there, has been navigating her sonic circumference in fresh and exciting ways. 

The latest result of her exploration is this excellent new record, Written into Changes, a further dive into alternative and hazy indie pop under the sobriquet, Avalon Emerson & the Charm, following 2023’s & the Charm. It’s a slick, sharp change of music style, focusing on naturalism, instrumental progression and emotive songwriting in a manner we’ve not previously heard from the polymath. Shared via Dead Oceans, the new album is a bold and collaborative body of work that presents Emerson not only as a savant behind the decks, but a considered and compelling singer-songwriter in her own right.

But what inspired this change? Who were the artists who laid the groundwork for Emerson’s growth? Below, she reveals her influences to Wonderland in our latest On Repeat.

Listen to the album…

Avalon Emerson is On Repeat…

The Light – “Contrasting Strangers”

Keivon sent me this song a little while ago. I showed Nathan while we were in the studio for Written into Changes, and he loved it and brought it up a few times. I love the big “don’t walk away” chorus and the space after “contrasting strangers”. 

Jürgen Paape – “So Weit Wie Noch Nie”

I love this era of Kompakt. I love the way the re-sung sample lyrics are laid out and arranged around the ghosts of minimal club music. I could never get tired of the sound of the gliding lead synth. 

Silver Jews – “Pretty Eyes”

One of the best to ever do it. It’s pointless and impossible to decode the exact words and phrases of how David’s music is so great.

The Smiths – “Paint a Vulgar Picture”

It changes, but I think this is my favourite Smiths song on my favourite Smiths record.

Spacemen 3 – “Big City” 

I can relate to the thought. Everybody I love can be found here. And I’m going to. Long trance flows from the heart. 

Todd Terje – “Inspector Norse”

One of the songs I would send to an alien to show them our species’ music. Terje’s arrangements, production sensibilities, and melodies are the simply best.

John Martyn – “Please Fall in Love with Me”

I love John Martyn, and I think this is my favourite album/era of his. The sentiment is devastating. The drums in this are amazing, of course (Phil Collins).

Fleetwood Mac – “Only Over You”

One of my favourites from Mirage. Bullion produced a cover of this with Nautic in 2019, which is also amazing.

The Magnetic Fields – “All The Umbrellas in London”

I also have no sense of direction. “All the umbrellas of London couldn’t stop this rain, and all the dope in New York couldn’t kill this pain, and all the money in Tokyo couldn’t make you stay, all the umbrellas of London couldn’t stop this rain”.

John Vanderslice – “Angela”

This whole record is gorgeous, and I think it was embedded in where I set the bar for songwriting and production.