Em Spel

Em Spel's intricate, flute-driven alt-folk sounds like nothing else. The solo project of Chicago-based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emma Hospelhorn, Em Spel’s sophomore album, Bird or Snake, was released to widespread praise in 2026 . Hospelhorn is a flutist in avant-classical group Ensemble Dal Niente, and her discography includes work on flutes, bass guitar, and keyboards for V.V. Lightbody, Mute Duo, and others working in a diverse array of genres including folk, drone, garage rock, post-punk, and classical. In this solo endeavor, she fuses all of these influences with story-driven lyrics to create invitingly strange folk vignettes.
“A scintillating solo debut....Hospelhorn's pop-adjacent experimental folk features her lovely, elastic vocals, her flute, and her intricately programmed electronics, along with standout performances by guests such as Katinka Kleijn and V.V. Lightbody.” —Chicago Reader
“It's like a folktale turned oddly, surreally modern, a magical realist scenario set in the right now.” —Dusted Magazine
“an avant-folk journey of haunting beauty…evocative and soul stirring” —Wax Vinyl Records
“blurring the line between avant garde and pop sensibilities to welcome the listener into the record’s unique world.” —Various Small Flames
“Emma Hospelhorn showcases her exceptional talents on this charming, beguiling, and thoughtful album. It is bolstered by contributions from Chicago’s thriving experimental and classical music scene… all of whom help bring these lushly orchestrated songs to life. Lovely stuff.” —Twisted Soul Music
“"Intriguing, enchanting, and not quite like anything you’ve ever heard before.” — For The Rabbits
July 19, 2026 | Val’s Halla with Dandelioness, Desert Liminal
5/12/26 | WNYC Soundcheck Session
5/10/26 @ Viv’s House, Philadelphia w/ Green Wheel
4/11/26 @ Constellation Chicago ++ RECORD RELEASE w/ Edith Judith
4/10/26 @ Jazz Gallery, Milwaukee, WI ++ RECORD RELEASE w/ Caley Conway
10/3/25 @ Comfort Station Chicago
8/10/25 @ Young Ethel’s, Brooklyn, NY
8/3/25 @ Anodyne, Milwaukee, WI
8/2/25 @ Calumet Art Center, Calumet, MI
6/3/25 @ Hideout, Chicago ++ Em Spel // Andrew Scott Young // Caroline Jesalva
3/29/25 @ Elastic Arts, Chicago ++ Pleiades Series: A Night of Song in Chicago
1/24/25 @ Clara, Chicago ++ Em Spel // Counterfeit Madison
10/2/24 @ Hungry Brain, Chicago ++ Two Dollar Bill: Em Spel
8/24/24 @ Hideout, Chicago ++ Esme Patterson // Em Spel
11/17/23 @ California Clipper, Chicago ++ Zbeeez // Oui Ennui // Em Spel
9/11/23 @ Pete’s Candy Store, NYC
8/21/23 @ Sleeping Village, Chicago ++ Chicago Jazz Fest: Zach Morp // Em Spel
5/28/23 @ Bungalow, Chicago ++ Sunday Music Series
3/28/23 @ Constellation, Chicago ++ Amanda DeBoer // Em Spel // Mesonjixx
1/17/23 @ Golden Dagger, Chicago ++ YMIAH // Em Spel
9/25/22 @ Bungalow, Chicago ++ Sunday Music Series
6/5/22 @ Comfort Station, Chicago ++ Pinson String Band // Em Spel
5/26/22 @ Constellation, Chicago ++ Em Spel (Record Release)// Heath & Beauty
5/25/22 @ Jewell Omaha ++ Amanda Deboer // Em Spel
5/22/22 @ Ziggy’s, Ypsilanti MI ++ Em Spel // Dr Pete Larson
5/21/22 @ The Comet, Cincinnati ++ Em Spel // Bla’sze
3/22/22 @ Golden Dagger, Chicago ++ Em Spel // Sophie Rae
12/2/21 @ Empty Bottle, Chicago ++ Oui Ennui // Em Spel
9/21/21 @ Cafe Mustache, Chicago ++ PK Flyer // Em Spel
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emspelsongs at gmail dot com