At 13, Eva Westphal began writing her own songs, combining her love for writing with her love for music. A student at Columbia in New York City, her transition from classical training to pop music has led to performances at renowned venues and events like PIANOS, The Delancey, The Bitter End, The Bowery Electric, Breaking Sound, The New York Songwriter’s Circle, and more. Eva's musical inspirations span from Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks to Brandi Carlile and "Folklore"-era Taylor Swift. Viral TikTok release “Hey Americana” is the Spanglish pop hit you need to kick off 2022. Written about men flirting with Westphal and her then-girlfriend at bars.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Eva Westphal, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What first got you into music?
Thanks for taking the time! I started playing violin when I was 6, and since then it’s always been a part of my life in one way or another!
What is your creative process like?
Usually I just get a song idea – either a melody or snippet of lyrics – and start building from there. Or I’m just sitting at my guitar and start fiddling around. Then I try to write a full song, but a lot of times I end up with half written ones and then choose later on which songs to develop more fully.
Your latest song is 'Hey Americana'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
I actually wrote this song way back in 2018, after going out to a bar with my girlfriend at the time and having men flirt with us. I’ve had the song on the backburner for a while and realized it fit well with the other ones I’ve released lately, so my amazing producer KAIYI got to work!
What was the most difficult challenge you faced?
In the making of the song, I was pretty unsure what vibe I wanted it to have – I knew it could be more dance-able than many of my songs, but I was kind of nervous to go there because I wasn’t sure what people would think. It seems like the response so far has been good, though!
What is the biggest mistake you have made within your career to this point?
Ooh, interesting question. I think overthinking and comparing to other people’s creative journeys has been the biggest thing for me to learn how to get past. Now I rarely compare, and I try not to set these huge expectations for myself because I understand how fickle music can be as a career path – a lot of it is luck. However, I do just try to make music that means something to me and I hope that it resonates with others, too.
How do you know when a work is finished?
When I’m satisfied with how it sounds and how it’s produced and mixed and mastered! I’m really lucky to have a great team of collaborators.
What are your long term goals?
I just want to make music that means something; where that takes me is up to the people who choose to listen to me! I’m grateful for any recognition I can get.
Do you have a mentor or coach?
I have an amazing support network, as well as an incredible producer. I’ve also got a great team helping me out.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Any time somebody DM’s me that my song touched them in some way, it stays with me. If I make people feel something with my music, I consider that mission accomplished.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m graduating college next year, and I plan to continue building my music until then and beyond!