IT'S A 'CHRISTMAS DREAM' COME TRUE AS GUERNSEY NEWCOMER COLLABORATES ON NEW FESTIVE HIT

INTERVIEW | EMILY FERN by Morgan Hermiston

With one of the most unique emerging voices coming from the Channel Islands, 23 year old Guernsey singer Emily Fern unleashes an fresh seasonal hit this festive season with the enchanting ‘Christmas Dream’. Collaborating with the London Symphony Orchestra, ‘Christmas Dream’ features notable appearances from the legendary Bez (Happy Mondays, Black Grape) and Phil Hartnoll (Oribital).

With dedication and a cultivated grassroots following already, ‘Christmas Dream’ marks an exciting new chapter in Emily’s rising musical journey, with the single making merry waves since its release earlier this month.

We had the opportunity to get to know Emily Fern a bit better and find out more about this extraordinary festival collaboration.

‘Christmas Dream’ is a collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), Bez (Happy Mondays) and Phil Hartnoll (Orbital). How did it feel to work with such big talents, especially as their work spans such a variety of styles?

Working with the LSO was honestly a dream collaboration in itself, that alone felt huge. Then adding the fun energy of Bez, and the talent of Phil Hartnoll, it just became this surreal, brilliant mix. The blend of styles happened completely by (a happy) accident, but it worked so perfectly. We started with the LSO, then added Bez to the mix, and because he and Phil share the same management, Phil wanted to get involved too. All these different worlds coming together has opened my music up to audiences who might never have discovered it otherwise, which is amazing.

2. Adam Reece, the track’s co-writer, said “the plan was modest” and then “became a huge project.” At what point did you realise the previously unattainable was actually something you could achieve?

It all grew so organically. One idea would spark another, and everything just fell into place in this almost effortless way. There wasn’t a single moment where I thought, “this is possible now” – it was more like a chain reaction of things aligning so perfectly that the project naturally grew bigger than either of us originally imagined.

How did the process begin for ‘Christmas Dream’ for you?

Completely by accident! One evening before a show, we realised we didn’t have enough material for the next night, so we started flicking through our songbooks. Adam played this random piano idea and I said it “sounded like a Christmas song.” Within minutes, the lyrics rolled in, as our ideas bounced off each other, and ‘Christmas Dream’ was born.

How important has it been for you to keep building on a supportive grassroots audience, at home in Guernsey and beyond?

Building an authentic audience is everything to me. When the connection is real, it never fades and real people share music because they genuinely care. The support I’ve had from Guernsey and beyond means the world. It’s almost as important as the music itself, because without that foundation, nothing grows.

What have been your favourite parts of the process so far?

Walking into Abbey Road Studios was the biggest pinch-me moment ever. But my absolute favourite part was hearing the London Symphony Orchestra play my song live for the first time. Nothing compares to that feeling, even now saying this it just feels unreal !

Have there been any lessons or new things you’ve learnt from this that you’ll take into future projects?

To completely trust myself. Believe in your ideas, follow your gut, and don’t let the word “crazy” stop you because sometimes the wildest ideas become the best stories. No idea is crazy or out of reach, if you have belief you have everything you need.

With 2026 around the corner, what are you most looking forward to working on next year?

I’ve been holding onto so many songs that I cannot wait for people to hear, I have a few collaborations in progress so seeing those come to fruition is something I’m really looking forward to.