Electro indie-pop / Alt-pop

BIO

Emily Afton is a California-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and performer known for her signature blend of “queer emo-pop” — a sound NPR calls “wonderful, wonderful electro-pop that’s weary of life, but positive.” With roots in both Oakland and San Diego, Afton channels a wide range of influences from Fiona Apple and Frank Ocean to Robyn and Elliott Smith, weaving together emotion, grit, and lush production. Her breakout feminist anthem “The Veil” earned her a performance slot at the San Francisco Women’s March and placements on TV shows including The CW’s Batwoman and Riverdale.

In 2024, Afton released her highly anticipated sophomore album Circaa, a cinematic evolution of her artistry highlighted by singles like “Running Out of Time” and “Chances,” both featured on MTV’s Teen Mom: The Next Chapter shortly after their releases. The accompanying music video for “Running Out of Time,” created with the women-led production house NO STORAGE PRODUCTIONS, delves into themes of heartbreak, self-preservation, and renewal, and was an official selection at the LA Shorts International Film Festival in 2024. After a national tour in early 2025, Afton has since settled in San Diego, where she’s crafting new music set for release in Spring 2026 — ushering in a fresh era of fearless, emotive alt-pop.

PRESS

• VIDEO PREMIERE: EMILY AFTON’S ‘RUNNING OUT OF TIME’ AND THE BRUTALITY OF LOVE - Atwood Magazine

• 5 Songs to Hear This Week - KCRW

• New Music Fridays (Summer Love Video Premiere- GRRRL Music

• Tuesday Tracks- New Music Discovery - Riff Magazine

• Day By Day: Quarantine Diaries - KALW.org

• Interview: Emily Afton - KXSF 102.5 FM. San Francisco

• Quaran-tunes: Coping with shelter in place, Bay Area edition - The Bay Bridged

• Shelter-in-Place Playlist: 9 Bay Area Musicians to Stream Now - 7x7

• Oaklander Emily Afton releases EP ‘Consideration’ - The Bay Bridged

• NEW MUSIC: EMILY AFTON – TIMEBOMB - Analogue Trash

• Timebomb by Emily Afton - Independent Music

• PREMIERE: THE POLITICAL PROTEST IN EMILY AFTON’S OUTSPOKEN “THE VEIL” - Atwood Magazine

• Emily Afton: Lonestar - mp3hugger

• Emily Afton: ‘Golden Mountain’ Review - Impose Magazine

• Queer Your Ears July 2019: New & Upcoming Releases from Queer & Trans Artists -  Autostraddle

• Emily Afton talks artistry, activism, and making music in the Bay  - The San Franciscan

• 3 of our Favorite New Songwriters - Ear To The Ground Music

• Summer Fun Artist Spotlight: Emily Afton - Leucadia 101

• ‘Riverdale’s 11 Best Music Moments (So Far) - MTV.com

• The Cool Electro-Folk of Emily Afton - KQED Arts

• Noise Pop REVIEW: Geographer brings the sad and the happy to the Independent - Riff Magazine

• Noise Pop: Geographer cements its place as a treasured SF gem - The Bay Bridged

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• 2024: Released sophmore album, Circaa (with limited edition vinyl) in conjunction with West Coast tour including headlining shows in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and San Diego. Toured new album at American indie music festivals including Off Beat Fest (Reno, NV), Baby Gay’s National Coming Out Day Fest (LA, CA), and DIVATOPIA (Los Osos, CA). Singles from Circaa featured on MTV’s Teen Mom: The Next Chapter (“Running out of Time”, “Chances”, “Collide”, and “Sometimes I Wish I Could”). Music video collaboration for “Running out of Time” chosen as an official selection for 2024’s LA Shorts International Film Fest.

• 2023: Performed the National Anthem at the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team V.S. Colombia Game in San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium, which was broadcasted on National Television. Released new single ‘Make’ (which was featured on KCRW’s 5 Songs To Hear This Week Newsletter and Spotify Playlist, as well as Cal Lutheran University college radio station KCLU. Released ‘Free (feat. Tauwoo),’ and ‘Running out of Time’ which was featured on MTV’s Teen Mom

• 2022: “Your Window” (single) released alongside a 5-stop California tour. “Give Me It” featured on Amazon Prime’s, ‘The One That Got Away.’ Headlining show at San Diego’s 750 capacity venue, Music Box. “SUMMER LOVE” (single) premiered on 91.X FM Radio (San Diego).

• 2021: “Lonestar” featured on The CW’s Batwoman (season 2, episode 213). Released EP, RECONSIDERATION and headlined The Brooks Theatre (Oceanside, CA).

• 2020: Premiered single “The Veil” with Atwood Magazine. Featured on astrologer Chani Nicholas’ Spotify editorial playlist “Cosmic Playlist.” Released EP, Consideration on AntiFragile Records

• 2019: Opened for Third Eye Blind at Robabank Arena. Released cover of Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin Bout You” on streaming services. Featured on Modern Future’s song “Horoscope.” Single “Lonestar” added to Discover Weekly,
  Enneagram Type 4, and Songs of Sunshine and Struggle.

• 2018: Featured on NPR’s ‘The Do List’. Completed the music residency at Zoo Labs. “Sylvia” added to Noon Pacific’s London Mixtape. “Back in San Francisco” featured on ALT105.3’s ‘Soundcheck’ show with Aaron Axelsen.

• 2017: Performed at Treefort Music Festival in Boise, ID. “Lost” featured on The CW’s Riverdale, season 1 episode 6. “Severing The Knot” featured in a SoulSence commercial. “Archetype” featured on Stitchers, season 3 episode 4. Headlined The Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco, CA. Someday” featured on Mustangs FC, season 1 episode 9.

• 2016: Nominated and won second place as The Deli’s SF Bay Area Best Emerging Artists of 2015. Featured as a SoFarSounds performer. Opened for Peter Frampton at The Mountain Winery (AEG/Goldenvoice). Released ARCHETYPE. Was featured on Milk Crater’s Milk Crate #104 playlist. Featured on Spotify’s ‘Discover Weekly’ playlist. Performed at the San Francisco Women’s March.

• 2015:  Headlined single and video release show at Leo’s Music Club in Oakland. “Words From Your Tongue” song premiere on SF Weekly as part of OIM Records Compilation Vol. 1 coverage. Performed at SoFar Sounds SF alongside The Sam Chase and Third Eye Blind. Opened for Willis Earl Beal at Swedish American Hall in San Francisco, presented by Noise Pop. Embarked on first California tour in support of the single, “Someday”, and served as the touring support for Third Eye Blind in the U.S. south and mid-west.

• 2014: Toured with Lila Rose and Living Legends. Featured on Scarub’s latest album Want For Nothing on two tracks – “Go” and “Rising Up”. Performed at Oakland Music Festival

• 2013: Placement of song “My Own One” on Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign video ‘We’re Stronger Together’.

• 2012: Placement of song “My Own One” on nationally syndicated Nature Valley commercial. Won Oaktown Indie Mayhem People’s Choice Award.

PRESS PHOTOS