A SINGER-SONGWRITER from Weymouth is set to release a new single inspired by a fictional wartime spy.

Emma Gale will release Mercy Jane Mile on Friday, September 15.

The single was inspired by a songwriting group Emma attended where she was given the title as a prompt. In a departure from her usual style, she created a character named Mercy Jane Mile, a wartime spy, and penned the song from there.

Emma’s signature vocals combine with Chris Pepper’s masterful instrumental to produce an understated, vintage sound that matches the character perfectly and allows Emma’s voice and witty lyrics to shine.

Mercy Jane Mile was written in collaboration with American songwriter Natalie Nicole Gilbert, who Emma previously worked with on her single In, Out, Up last year.

Emma said: “The character Mercy Jane Mile came to me almost fully formed and the song practically wrote itself. She’s a mysterious wartime spy who’s ‘trained to thrill and dressed to kill’.

"I have to say although it’s not really a style that I have written in before, it has been one of my favourite songs to write! I am really proud that it’s quite an unusual vibe and I love the wordplay.

"Although I never intended for it to be comical, it does make me laugh in places even having heard it many times.

“Someone said that it has the lyrical dexterity and melodic fun of Kirsty MacColl, which is a huge compliment, and I hope people enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed writing it!”

Emma began her career in cover bands before falling in love with songwriting.

She is a self-proclaimed “accidental indie folk artist”, having released her debut single Let’s See What the Earth Has to Say in April 2020 and watching the video become a viral lockdown hit.

Her self-titled debut album, released in March 2022, had great reviews and was featured as Album of the Week on multiple radio station.

The talented songwriter was signed to DWB Music in March 2023, and was also awarded Arts Council Funding to attend International Songwriting Camps over the course of the year in The Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Los Angeles and Spain.

Last month, Emma and her co-writing partner Rebecca Lane founded music publishing company GirlCode Music Publishing, with a focus on supporting female songwriters, producers and artists.

Mercy Jane Mile features Chris Pepper on drums, percussion, bass, guitar, keyboards and tremoloa, and was recorded at his Saltwell Studios in Huntingdon. Emma’s vocals were recorded at her home studio in Weymouth. The track was produced by Chris Pepper and mastered in Los Angeles at the studio of Grammy-nominated producer Robert Bach.

Mercy Jane Mile will be available to stream and download on all major digital platforms from Friday, September 15.

For more information, visit emmagale.com