Even in the face of adversity, artists can't help but creatively express themselves, and the 23-year-old powerhouse Eva Westphal is no exception. Through vivid storytelling and a bold, modern approach to her craft, Eva has created her own musical niche that she calls "purpose-driven pop." With her career, Eva advocates for mental health awareness, addiction recovery, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Eva's discography contains a spectrum of uplifting, upbeat anthems and cathartic, reflective tearjerkers. "Belong," her latest release, falls in between the two categories, as it optimistically yet honestly recounts the singer's personal journey. Playlists & Polaroids recently got to chat with Eva about this song, her musical influences and goals, and her experience as an openly queer artist. Keep reading for our full interview with her!
YOU'LL LOVE EVA WESTPHAL IF YOU LISTEN TO: Taylor Swift, ABBA, Diana Ross, Molly Grace, Fletcher, Hayley Kiyoko, Renee Rapp, Sabrina Carpenter, Katy Perry
What artists did you grow up listening to, and how have they influenced your sound?
ABBA and Taylor Swift, for sure! I also grew up listening to Fleetwood Mac, and tons of other artists. I really loved any '70s and '80s bands as well. And my parents are actually from different cultures – my dad is German and my mom is Puerto Rican – so I grew up listening to music from their respective cultures, and also a lot of classical music because I was raised playing violin.
What made you decide to focus on mental health, as well as your experience in the LGBTQ+ community, in your songwriting?
I focus on whatever I think could inspire other people and show them that things to get better after the darkness. Overall, I just want to be honest in my songwriting!
Tell us about some fan interactions that have stood out to you, and reminded you of why you do this!
I have had people travel to my shows, I have had people make me stuff, write me letters after shows… I'm actually sitting right now on my bed and lying on a pillow that is sunset themed made by Liz, an amazing fan of mine. That gift really stood out to me because it shows how well my fans know me (I love sunsets more than anything).
It’s so cool that you were a part of the 2023 Converse Pride Campaign! What were some highlights of that experience for you?
Some highlights of that experience for me were meeting Big Freedia and just being able to be on set with other queer artists that are from my generation. I also just really loved being on set and I really liked being able to show up so authentically, and specifically to be there to represent the lesbian community.
In March, you’re set to play a few shows supporting Molly Grace! What are you most looking forward to about this experience? How does Molly Grace inspire you as an artist?
I’m most looking forward to playing in the cities I haven't played full shows in – I haven't actually played Philly or done a full set in DC – so I'm really excited about those two shows and I'm also excited to open for an artist that I love and that is a personal friend of mine; I think that's definitely a unique experience. Molly inspires me a lot because I love her dedication to her art, and I love how centered the queer experience is in her art as well. She's just a wonderful person so I'm excited to spend more time with her on the tour.
What advice would you give to P&P’s LGBTQ+ readers who are thinking about coming out soon?
I’d say make sure that you're in a safe place to do so and start small! So if you're debating coming out to a lot of people, but you’re worried about doing it, I would say come out to one person that you trust that you're pretty sure will react well. You start building this circle of support around you that can shield you from any criticism or any negativity.
What are your goals in music for 2024? At the moment, do you have anything in store that fans can look forward to?
So I do have a lot of goals for this year, the biggest of which is to connect more with my core fans and also build out the scale of my fan base. I really hope to reach more queer listeners, and a lot of female listeners, whether they're queer or not! I would really love to have all the girlies listening to my music this year. And in terms of anything in store, I am actually filming a music video this week!
I love the cover art for “Belong”! How did you conceptualize it, and what does it represent to you overall?
An artist called Jace – he goes by Calvary’s Gauntlet – designed it, and he's an amazing collage artist. I've loved working with him; he took different elements of the song and brought them to life with the collage. He did the same thing for “Adult” as well! The cover for “Belong” has so many things I love, like the sunset, and lesbian colors, and an ode to New York in picture form!
What do you hope fans take away from “Belong” in particular?
I hope they take away the idea that it's okay not to belong where you were first planted, and that you can actually uproot yourself and go somewhere where you feel at home within yourself. For me that's New York City, my chosen home.
Finally, the P&P classic! What’s a lyric from “Belong” that stands out to you? Walk us through the process of yourself writing it, and how does it speak to you personally?
The lyrics I like most are actually the ones that I wrote most closely with the co-writer on the song! Her name is Mariel Loveland and it's the bridge: "The midnights, the Mondays, the panic, the heartbreak / And lying awake with your doubt / To the scars that heal over / The peace without closure / And knowing that you made it out." I just love that bridge. I am always hesitant to write bridges, but Mariel really helped me open up, and I ended up with my favorite bridge of any song I've ever written.
Throughout her career but especially in "Belong," Eva positions herself as a guiding light, the kind that many listeners wish they had when they were adolescents. Eva's perspective is truly inspirational, and her sound is a breath of fresh air. Like she said, we hope that 2024 is the year all the girlies find her music and thrust her into the mainstream. Here's a playlist we've curated to help you dive deeper into her world.
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