Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Eva James
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My childhood was a turbulent time for me, but it was when my bond with music began. Through my parents’ divorce, and multiple schools, music was my sanctuary during some very dark periods, & it has remained my fiercest ally to this day.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to make music. Listening to music was my lifeline as a kid, & I started writing songs when I was around 12 years old as a way to process intense emotions I couldn’t make sense of in any other way. I knew I wanted to create something that could help someone else in the way that music helped me — for me, choosing to pursue music is like choosing to breathe… I have to, or I don’t exist.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My debut album — “Earth To Eva” — tells a long overdue story of resilience, survival, and the complexities of the human condition — I’m so grateful to have been able to release it into the world finally, as an introduction to me & my work.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Hmm, always such a tough question to answer! The first words that come to mind when describing my sound would be: dark, honest, anthemic.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
When I realized that I couldn’t have health without my music, or music without my health, my artistry became more pure and authentic — I was no longer hiding my truth, and I found that honesty is what my audience craved and connected to.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Life. Living life is essential to my process of producing art. If I’m ever blocked, I know it usually means I need to live more life & channel more raw human experience into my subconscious, which then molds into music when I phase from “living” to “creating”. Songwriting is a dialogue with the subconscious, & I’d be so lost without it.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I am CONSTANTLY listening to music of all kinds — if I look back through the last handful of songs I’ve listened to, its everything from Sad by Lissie, to Joey by Concrete Blonde, to Norah Jones, Kodaline, anything by Sarah McLachlan, the list is endless!
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Oh gosh, they’re one & the same! I write about mental health, chronic illness, grief, love, survival, toxic relationships, because its all part of my lived experience on this earth. Writing is how I process these experiences, connect with the world & myself, and ultimately reclaim my power.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope my listeners feel seen — I’ve always thought of music as the “universal language” and I hope my music will find the people who need it the most. If the music I make helps anyone feel just a little less alone or a little more understood, then I will have accomplished everything that I set out to accomplish.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That vulnerability is not weakness — its the first step to connection. The moments I thought were too raw to share often became the ones that resonated the most.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Honestly, I just feel so lucky to play anywhere that people come to truly listen to music, & connect with other humans through this beautiful form of creative expression — if I’m ever lucky enough to play to a larger audience, I hope I never lose sight of that intimacy between me & the audience, its one of the best feelings in the world.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Working with Paula Cole as producer on my debut album has been such a wonderful journey, & I’ve learned so much from her — I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with anyone who’s work I admire. Some other artists I look up to are Joni Mitchell, Halsey, Stevie Nicks, Yungblud, and so many others!
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
Website: www.evajamesofficial.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/436ItontylfBDJj3y4tfIN?si=uqwKvDlxSzS4HMXUzZTg_w
Instagram: @evajamesofficial
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
To continue making music, aiming to be even more fearless in my writing, growing my audience — I want to build a sustainable career rooted in authenticity. I’ve been working on demoing over 20 new songs that I hope I’m lucky enough to turn into a second album one day!
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope they’ll see a piece of themselves in me, in my art, & through connection with my music maybe find a new level of connection and understanding within themselves as we all stumble through this crazy, beautiful life.
