Emily Nenni's "Movin’ Shoes" European tour starts soon

Whenever Emily Nenni takes the stage, the mission is simple: everybody’s welcome on the dancefloor. The California-born, Nashville-based songwriter has built her world around the idea that honkytonks should feel like places of escape — somewhere you can forget your troubles for a few hours, dance however you want, and feel safe doing it.

That spirit runs through her latest album, Movin’ Shoes, a big-hearted and soulful record that stretches well beyond straight honkytonk. Pulling inspiration from legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, and Linda Ronstadt, Nenni mixes outlaw country with Memphis soul, southern rock, and enough grit to hold the whole thing together. The result feels lived-in, vulnerable, funny, and deeply human.

Recorded in Memphis with producer John James Tourville and engineer Matt Ross-Spang, the album leans into warm Stax-style horns, bluesy grooves, and powerhouse vocals without losing the sharp songwriting at its core. Whether she’s writing about heartbreak, self-worth, or just staying home with her dog Edna instead of going out, Nenni sings with the kind of honesty that makes you feel less alone.

There’s a toughness and tenderness to everything she does — the kind that only comes from living through some things and deciding to keep dancing anyway. Luckily for the rest of us, Emily Nenni is about to head back across the Atlantic, with her next European tour just around the corner. Consider this your warning to get your boots ready.