Behind The Lens: Eva James

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How do you see the music industry changing this year?

I think there’s a growing focus on mental health and sustainability in the industry. The old “hustle until you break” mentality is being replaced with more thoughtful, intentional artistry. I’m seeing more artists prioritize depth & authenticity over hype — & that’s a space where meaningful music can really thrive. 

What's the most unexpected place you've found musical inspiration?

Joy. Hear me out haha… music is always my safe place to put the darkness, a necessary ally to help carry the burden of my heaviest emotions & experiences as a human… So when I find inspiration in the light, in a moment of pure happiness or relief, or even in the fear of losing a form of joy I have found, I find it very interesting & always follow that inspiration to see where it leads me. 

What's your favorite anthem of all time?

So hard to choose, no way I’ll be able to narrow this down to just one! I’m a sucker for some good feminine rage & power, so some of my top favorites would be…. Bad Reputation by Joan Jett, Sad by Lissie, All Your Exes by Julia Michaels, You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette, Wildflower by Paula Cole, Labour by Paris Paloma, & so many more.

What's your favorite song to perform live?

I have a handful that I would consider to be my top favorites to play live, but if I had to choose just one I would say Test Drive — which will be one of the tracks on my debut album coming this fall. It was such a cathartic song for me to write, I remember every second of the night that I wrote that song, after a period of writer’s block I had been struggling with for a few months. I wrote it all in one sitting, at the piano in November 2022 while tangled in a turbulent relationship that was breaking my heart. And not one single lyric has been edited or changed since that night. There's something about performing Test Drive, just me & the piano, that brings me back to that night & the catharsis I experienced while writing the song. 

How do you come up with new song titles?

For me, the title usually comes after the song, and its often very obvious what it should be (to me at least) — lyrically, i see my songs as having a “heart” or “core” of the song, & in my experience that is what ends up being the title most of the time. 

How do you choose which songs make it onto an album?

That's a good question! When we were in the very early stages of piecing together this project, we originally were thinking it was going to be an EP, but ultimately found that the emotional arc of this album needed every one of these songs in order to tell the story in its entirety.

What's your favorite collaboration you've done so far?

Working with Paula Cole as producer on my debut album has been transformative for my music — I have learned so much from her, & continue to. I value that partnership tremendously & am so grateful for the ways it has shaped not only my music but my sense of self as an artist & a woman. 

If you were a racecar, what brands would be sponsoring you? 

Sometimes I admit I do feel a bit like a race car when I’m working my butt off on my music while also juggling caring for my chronic illness — it's a balancing act & I definitely feel grateful for some of the things that keep me chugging along & make life easier. These include an armband that I wear to help with pacing myself (Visible Health), hoodies with zips in the arms to stay cozy during my infusion treatments & comfy sweatpants that have zips in the thighs to make my injections so much easier (Be Well). I am also NEVER seen without my Vocal Mist nebulizer before and after a gig, gotta keep those vocal cords hydrated & healthy! 

Where can people connect with you and would you share an exclusive record with CEL?

I’m sharing my journey on social media (@evajamesofficial), & I also have a mailing list on my website (www.evajamesofficial.com) to keep up with gigs & album updates!