After finding huge support for her run of releases these last few months, Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Eve Simpson is looking to continue her vibrant ascent as she delivers the mesmerising new single 'His Euphoria'.
Bringing back more of that sweet and tender folk-inspired direction she has built for herself, 'His Euphoria' makes for a wonderfully fresh and uplifting listen. With her warm and embracing vocals layered across a shimmering production from start to finish, she is definitely one to keep a firm eye on for the year ahead.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her background and what has been inspiring her most lately.
-
What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Definitely the piano, it all just made sense in my head when I looked at it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I’m an OG Swiftie - I learned the whole Speak Now album on the guitar when I was around 12/13. But I loved all kinds of music, my Mam and Dad had a very broad/varied music taste. However, I do have a small bias towards 80s pop/dance music because of my Mam – 8-year-old me knew Bronski Beat from a mile away. But I only started getting into folk/singer/songwriters in my teenage years, and it was definitely the local music scene that helped to craft that.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I don’t know what it was exactly, but it definitely had Manic Monday on by The Bangles.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Oh, this is a brilliant question – there are so many. I’m going to cheat and give two, because one is technically unreleased?
The Only Exception – Paramore (absolute banger).
In Your Arms – Gabrielle Aplin (this is a demo which is just on soundcloud I believe, but it’s so stunning and I always return to it if I can’t sleep/my mind is just on overdrive).
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I tend to write the songs I love the most when I’m incredibly busy/stressed, and it’s a big intervention I perform on myself to slow down and understand what’s actually going on in my brain. I try to make the song sound like how I’m feeling, and I tend to write the lyrics and instrumental together, with the feeling at the centre. I tend to then walk away from a solo writing session incredibly empowered that I can understand how I feel about a situation, finally. It’s something that has always helped me navigate the wee complexities, struggles and joys of life.
When I write with other people, I try to go with a wee hook/riff, or repetitive idea, that we can build the song around. I love writing lyrics, but I also love analysing others’ lyrics and picking them apart.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’m a big fan of Rachel Chinouriri, Sharon Van Etten, and Olivia Dean. As well as local artists Alice Faye, I adore her voice and writing, and Callum Pitt – I’m very excited for Callum’s album!
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Ooooo – I would love to open for Dolly Parton. And wail to I will always love you.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Definitely being able to communicate.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I think the underlying message is to be kind and sound about your work and others. The industry is so saturated, so competitive, I really think the best thing you can do is find your community and people, and belong to it in a kind, supportive way. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong way of doing things with something as subjective as music, so I think just being true to yourself and those around you is very important.
I saw something on twitter the other day, which was saying that if you’re working full-time, there is literally only so much you can do for your own music, so to cut yourself some slack essentially. I think I really needed to see/read that, as I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to make this release perfect as I’ve been working on it for so long – but the reality is, I can only do so much promotion, social media, and my own pitching etc... when I have other commitments just now as well. I really liked that, and that is the reality for lots of other musicians I know just now too.
-
Eve Simpson's new single 'His Euphoria' is available to stream now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.