INTERVIEW: Emily Fern on new festive single 'Christmas Dream': "I’ve worked so hard for this, and it finally felt like everything I’ve worked for was on the way"
Emily Fern may have only released a mere handful of songs in her career, but with her new single, the gorgeous festive ‘Christmas Dream’ she has proven the clout she has as a singer-songwriter. Not only was it recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, it also features instrumentation from the London Symphony Orchestra. Throw in guest appearances from music legends Bez (Happy Mondays) and Phil Hartnoll (Orbital) and you have a song that can only be described as a Major Event.
Hailing from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, Fern is completely self-taught when it comes to music and has been building her music career since she was 15, performing many gigs around the island. In 2022, she was nominated for the Overcoming Adversity award at the Pride of Guernsey awards for her song' ‘Restart’, which details the aftermath of a sexual assault.
Written by Fern with Adam Reece and David Sims,. ‘Christmas Dream’ is as wonderful as you would expect it to be. A stirring orchestral foundation, soaring strings and just enough Christmassy sounds to make it special without ever becoming cloying. Fern's beautiful voice sings of the traditional wish for peace and hope for a better future: ‘Surely this time around / We’ll hold onto this Christmas dream…we will live as one again.’
“Recording ‘Christmas Dream’ at Abbey Road with the London Symphony Orchestra felt like a dream, yet at the same time it felt completely natural. It was as if the song had found its home,” Fern says. “At a time when the world feels divided, ‘Christmas Dream’ is a reminder of what really matters. It is about hope, reflection and believing in the difference we can make, both for each other and for the world we are leaving behind.”
It is easy to be overwhelmed with Christmas songs at this time of year, but Fern has created something special with ‘Christmas Dream’, and as she hopes for a Christmas number one, she may have just created a future festive classic. We recently sat down with her to find out more about creating this gem.
Hi Emily! Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with us. How is life in your world right now?
Life in my world right now finally feels like all the pieces of hard work are starting to fall into place. It’s been such a busy but exciting time, and I’m really grateful for everything that’s happening.
Congratulations on your new single ‘Christmas Dream’ - what a beautiful song! What inspired you to make a Christmas song?
Thank you so much. What’s funny is that ‘Christmas Dream’ actually happened completely by accident. We were sat in the studio the night before a show and realised we didn’t have a big enough set list. While I was flicking through songbooks looking for ideas, Adam started tinkering on the piano. I remember saying that it sounded like a Christmas song, and we just ran with it. Within minutes ‘Christmas Dream’ was born. So it wasn’t planned or forced at all - it came from a really natural moment, and I think that’s what makes it feel so genuine and special.
That’s beautiful. And on that note of its unconventional beginning, this is not just any Christmas song, as you recorded it with the London Symphony Orchestra which is a pretty big deal! How did this collaboration come together?
Well, when we performed it the night after it was written, the audience actually asked for it again as an encore. The buzz from that moment was so strong that we both thought, wow, we’ve got something really special here. We started thinking about how we could elevate it and make it feel like a true classic Christmas song. Bringing the London Symphony Orchestra on board was this wild idea that somehow spiralled into reality. It all happened so fast, falling into place bit by bit, and before we knew it, our Christmas Dream had become everything we hoped for and more. Hearing them play it for the first time was just incredible.
The song also features two other music legends - Bez from the Happy Mondays and Phil Hartnoll from Orbital. What is like to work with them?
Bez was such a pleasure to work with. He was so much fun but also really invested in the track. The first time he sat with the orchestra ready to play his final note - the triangle ding at the end! - he was enjoying the song so much, just tapping his feet to the music, that he missed his cue, which had everyone laughing. Phil was just as wonderful. He was humble, kind and such a lovely person to work with. Having both of them involved added so much character and warmth to the project.
Pulling this song together is pretty impressive so early in your career - did you find the experience daunting at all?
Honestly, in the lead-up I think I was a bit in denial. The project was so huge, like a real dream and part of me didn’t believe it was actually happening until I was there in the room. Walking into Abbey Road was such a pinch-me moment. So many of my musical favourites have walked through those doors, and it felt almost surreal to be standing where they once stood. Then the London Symphony Orchestra’s bus pulled up and I just thought, wow, this is really happening. I’ve worked so hard for this, and it finally felt like everything I’ve worked for was on the way…
You originate from the Channel Islands, what are the challenges and positives of launching a music career from such a small community?
Guernsey is such a beautiful and peaceful place. It’s calm and inspiring, the perfect spot for songwriting. There’s space to breathe, to be with your thoughts and to find creativity in the quietness of the island. The community is really supportive, which I’m so grateful for, but performance opportunities are limited. Once everyone has seen you perform, they’ve seen you, and although connections are strong, they’re naturally limited too. It’s small, but it’s home, and it’s given me a really grounded start to build from.
What is your background in music - how did you get to where you are today?
I’ve loved singing ever since I was little. I’ve always taken every opportunity life has thrown my way, and I’ve never given up and never will. I just want to keep growing, as an artist, as a person and as a musician. I love the power of music and how it connects people. I want the world to hear my songs, because I truly believe that everyone can relate to at least one lyric I write. It’s real, it’s honest and it’s vulnerable.
Being a singer today means you have so many different ‘roles’ - writing, recording, producing, making music videos, performing live. Do you have a favourite part?
Performing is a feeling I can’t even put into words. Every time you leave the stage, there’s always something you take with you…a moment, a feeling, or a memory that stays forever. It’s such a real exchange of emotion. But I also love writing; I’m always bursting with lyrics and ideas. They both give me something I just love, and I don’t think I could ever choose between them.
It has always been difficult for female artists to exist in the music industry for a multitude of reasons, from the unfair expectations placed on them that are not placed on men, through to being ignored by the men who run the industry. What are your thoughts on gender (in)equality in the music industry?
I think there’s still a real imbalance in the industry when it comes to how women are perceived. There’s often an expectation for women to look or present themselves a certain way to be noticed. I think it’s sad that so much of what’s celebrated today can feel more about image than the music itself. At the same time, a lot of songs by male artists are written in ways that can feel crude or disrespectful, and it’s hard to understand how that’s become acceptable.
What creative plans do you have for the rest of the year and into 2026?
My focus is just to keep growing, keep creating and make music that feels honest and connects with people. 2026 already feels like it’s going to be a really special year. I have songs ready to be released that I’m just itching to share, including one that features the London Symphony Orchestra again. There are also a few collaborations on the horizon that I’m really excited about.
‘Christmas Dream’ is out now. You can download and stream here.
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