Q&A: Meet Eden J Howells, the Emerging Alternative Folk-Rock Artist You Need to Know
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY SAMANTHA SORIA ☆
Photo by Ana Kang
EDEN J HOWELLS KNOWS HOW TO HIT YOU RIGHT IN THE HEART — Their new single, “living lonely,” features profound lyrics that show a moment of deep depression, alienation, and quiet resilience. It also happens to be, sonically, the most gritty and grungy song the London-based alternative folk rock artist has released to-date. But the journey to creating it is a funny, long story—one that Eden graciously shares with me.
After finishing university in London, the high cost of the city became too much, and Eden had to return home to Guildford. Described as a very conservative town, “like old white people, vibes dead,” Eden felt frustrated and angry over their situation, but they had an idea.
“I bought the van that I could afford, which was a piece of metal. It was so bad. It would break down all the time,” Eden shares. “I essentially couldn't leave Guildford because I kept on having to stay at my parents' house and crash with friends, because this van kept breaking down, and it had mold. It was crazy. I don't know why I decided to do this, but that was the kind of setup, and I was feeling so empty. I had so much soul-crippling FOMO of everyone else in London living their life, and I felt like I was stuck in this place and couldn't get out.”
But then one evening, in a Sainsbury's car park at around 11:00 pm, “It was one of those songs that kind of falls out of you. I had been driving around crying […] And I was like, This is not good. I'm gonna work through this! So I pulled over and was like, Okay, I can do this, and then out came “living lonely.”
In an interview with The Luna Collective, Eden delves deeper into creating “living lonely,” their relationship with music before and after their autism diagnosis, queer love, and so much more. Read the full interview below.
Photo by Ana Kang
LUNA: You’ve shared that you don’t come from a formal musical background. Rather, you found music on your own and are self-taught. Could you talk to me a little bit more about that? Your dad got you a guitar, right?
EDEN: Yes! I begged him for months to get me a guitar, and he bought me one of those crappy, really thick-string ones, where the strings are really far away from the fretboard, and they're really hard to play. But I begged him for it, and I was so excited. I was about 12 at that point, and I wanted to be like all my favorite bands that I was listening to. I wanted to be able to play those things and sing my little songs. So I spent the whole of the summer holiday that year locked in my bedroom by myself on YouTube, and I had a little chord book that I would learn chords from. I taught myself how to play guitar until my fingers bled, and it was chaos. I kind of did the classic ADHD thing of hyper-focusing, and I guess it paid off because I'm still here.
LUNA: I’m guessing it was acoustic. What songs were you learning?
EDEN: Oh, such a good question. You know what? This might have been a bit later, when I was 12, but I was really into Catfish and the Bottlemen. I also vividly remember learning a Justin Bieber song, and I don’t know how I feel about that because I’m not a Justin Bieber fan.
LUNA: Which Justin Bieber song?
EDEN: I don’t know [laughs]. I honestly only know maybe three or four of his songs. For some reason, I decided one of them was going to be one that I learned on guitar.
LUNA: With that, then, which artists did you find on your own? Obviously, Catfish and the Bottlemen, but again, that’s what I’m most curious about. You didn’t come from a musical background. Your family– no one ever played any instruments or anything?
EDEN: No, nothing. My parents were quite big Britpop fans. They enjoyed listening to Britpop a lot. So when I was a kid, I would listen to a lot of The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, and James Blunt as well. Big one that my family really loved. I will not take that he is cringy for an answer. I literally love him. That was kind of what my family would listen to. No one was ever really musical. I think I had an inkling for it. I used to make up little songs when I was in the bath or walking around my house, and when I got a little bit older and I had access to the internet, I used to spend hours sitting in our basement on the family laptop on Spotify. You know, the bit on Spotify that says artists who are similar to this? I used to go down rabbit holes and find an artist that I liked, and then find a new artist that sounded like that artist. Round and round. I was really big in the UK indie music scene, I guess you would call it. I don't know if you know any of these bands, but Swim Deep were a big one, Blaenavon, Sundara Karma, The Big Moon, Marika Hackman, all of those people, that was my vibe. Peace as well was a big one. Oh, brings me back. It brings me back!
LUNA: Everyone’s relationship with music is different. For some, it’s always been something that’s been around. For others, it’s something that they find later on. And other times, in some cases, it’s something that comes and goes. In an interview with Kaltblut, you talked about how even though there were times you had doubts, you kept coming back to music, and that it was something you could pursue seriously. Could you expand more on your relationship with music and how your mindset around it has evolved? Do you find that it continues to evolve as you grow as an artist and as an individual?
EDEN: I think it's definitely something that will forever evolve in me. I don't think there's any kind of endpoint that I'm going to reach where I'm going to be, like, Amazing. This is great. Top 10 relationship, whatever. When I started writing and actually performing properly when I was about 15, I started because I felt like I needed to get things out of my body that I couldn't figure out how to circulate. They felt like they were stuck, and I needed to work them out of myself and have something to show for the difficult feelings that I was having. That's kind of how it started. It was this beautiful, cathartic thing, and that's kind of what I've been trying to hold on to the whole short career that I've had so far.
That feeling is the reason why I started, because I think the place where I'm at now, where I'm kind of moving into the emerging artists space, and I'm talking to labels, managers, and getting on Spotify playlists, all of the businessy stuff … I think it's so easy to forget why you started and get so deep in this, like, Oh my god, this person's doing this, and I need to do that. I'm not networking hard enough. You kind of lose sight of why the hell you even started in the first place. It's a tough industry to be in; it's super, super tough at times. It can be very, very rewarding, but there are long periods where it feels like there's nothing. You're working so hard and you're burnt out, and it can be really, really hard to motivate yourself to keep going. But I think I’m getting to a point now where I'm remembering why I started, and it's kind of sunk in enough that that's always going to be with me, my kind of why, you know?
LUNA: That's so interesting. What you just said kind of clicked something for me, in terms of the music industry. It's a machine. I think everybody knows that it's this gigantic one. And sometimes, I guess, depending on the artist, I could be wrong, correct me, but I feel like artists have to constantly remind themselves, I'm not serving this machine. I'm serving myself. This is my art, you know? Yeah, I might be under your label. Yeah, you're helping me with this and this and that, but not to lose yourself along the way and be at service to the machine, rather than the fans, you as the artist, and everything else.
EDEN: One hundred percent. Yeah, I think it's a very, very fine line as well. There are definitely days I have, or weeks where I'm like, Oh God, I've been in a completely wrong mindset, the mindset where I feel like I'm serving the machine, and then I'll kind of stop and be like, Whoa, okay, what are we doing? Let's take it back a step. Why are we here?
Photo by Ana Kang
LUNA: I imagine too, as you said, as an emerging artist, and you're talking to labels and all of that, this is your first time doing that, right?
EDEN: Yeah.
LUNA: So, how do you tackle that? That must be so intimidating!
EDEN: I have no idea what's going on! I literally don't know what's going on. This is the funny thing about the industry as well, I think. At least, it strikes me this way. I think this is also the autism. I have this chronic understanding of the world that everyone knows what's going on, and I don't. But I think particularly in music it comes up so much because everyone seems like they know what's going on, and I'm like, I have no idea what's going on!
Courtesies, how do we network, all of this stuff. Like, how do you email people, what to say in this meeting, and blah, blah, blah. There's all this information overload. It's one of those things I think you gotta fake and pretend to know what’s going on [laughs].
LUNA: But you're asking yourself all the right questions, right? I always feel for the young artists who go in kind of blindly, and they have no one around them to kind of guide them or even think, to even wonder if they can ask those questions, you know?
EDEN: Exactly. Yeah, I think that the thing for me that I've learned so far is being confident in myself is the most important thing and being confident in my projects because I think it's so easy as well to be taken advantage of, and I’ve seen that happen so many times, I'm petrified of that happening because that can ruin a career and someone's mental health. I think that's something I'm very aware of and trying to figure out what I want for myself and what that looks like as a human being, on top of being an artist in the music industry for my music career. What do I want as a human? How do I set boundaries and get what I want, while also, in a way, giving myself to the business a little bit, because we kind of have to.
LUNA: In that same interview, you shared that music has always been about expression, that “it’s a way of communicating the things that feel impossible to say out loud–things that feel too big, too awkward, too vulnerable.” As someone who was diagnosed late with autism, I’m curious to learn how it’s been for you to express vulnerability in your music now that you have an understanding of your neurodiversity.
EDEN: It's actually very funny, because a few songs that I've released, and a lot of songs that I've written pre-diagnosis are so eerily giving, I have autism. I've written this song about being autistic. It's so weird. Songs like “the ceiling” was one that I released a really long time ago, and a song called “ordinary” as well, which is on my first EP, that was pre-diagnosis, and pre-me even understanding that maybe I might be autistic, but they're so like, I don't understand social cues, and the world is such a hard place! It's so interesting to look back on.
“living lonely” is actually a pre-diagnosis song as well. It’s funny how things come out in lyrics for me that I don't necessarily fully understand, cognitively, myself. I couldn't explain it to you in a conversation, but I could write a song about it, and it makes sense.
LUNA: Since those songs were written back then, before your diagnosis, how is it when you perform them now?
EDEN: It's cute because I get to do a little spiel about how I didn't know and now I know. But it's nice being able to explain what the song is about. For “living lonely,” if I'd have released it before I'd figured all of this stuff out, pre-diagnosis, I don't know if it would have necessarily hit in the same way, in terms of me, trying to explain about what it's about, where it comes from, and things like that. I think knowing now what I know in hindsight makes it hit all that more. For me as well, when I play it, it feels like it hits a lot more.
LUNA: Your music also explores themes of queerness, love, and mental health. I would love to learn more about how it’s been for you to explore the complexities of each and what the process is like to get those emotions down during your songwriting process.
EDEN: I think it's an interesting one, because writing about mental health, I feel, is very easy for me. Generally, I think it's one of the more easy topics. I find that I write best when I have a burning, heavy feeling. Like, Oh my gosh, this thing, it's all-consuming, and then I'll write a song in 10 minutes, and it'll be done.
LUNA: Okay! I see you!
EDEN: It’s giving vibes that I’m like a poet and the gods have sent me down this thing, and I’ve just regurgitated it.
LUNA: They sent you a quill.
EDEN: Yeah! [laughs]. I am but a voice for the gods. But I think writing about love is something that is not necessarily new for me because I have written about love in the past, but I don’t see myself as someone who’s been very good at writing about love. I think it’s quite a tough topic to write about. I think as well because I find some love songs that I will try and write will be really cringey, and I’m like, This is gross! I hate it, it’s not hitting. I find it difficult to reach that same level of complexity.
That was something that I struggled with a lot, but I'm glad that I've kind of worked through that a little bit because there's a few songs on the EP that are love songs and I'm really proud of both of them. I think it's nice as well having written a song all about love and about nice, good, wholesome, queer love, like good vibes. The song “everything you touch,” which is the first song from the EP, it's a f*cking happy song. It's about celebrating queer love, community, friendship and romantic love. I think we deserve more of that because there's a lot of sh*t going on.
LUNA: You once shared that Paolo Nutini has a significant influence on your music. You talked about his raw delivery and that it’s something you try to carry into your music. What I found interesting from your response was when you mentioned that a song doesn’t have to be complex or flashy to feel powerful. Rather, “Sometimes, the simplest lines are the ones that stick with you the most.” I’d love to learn what lyrics have left a profound impact on you.
EDEN: I think the Paolo Nutini song for me that really sticks out–there are a couple–but I think the main one for me is “Candy” because, classic, but that was a really, really big song of my childhood. I think it's beautiful. I think his lyrics are not even that complex. I feel a lot of people can get a bit sucked in by trying to think of something that hasn't been done before or trying to think outside the box, and that can be incredible…
LUNA: Don’t blame them, though, because with so much music coming out…
EDEN: Exactly!
Photo by Ana Kang
LUNA: I get it’s almost a competition, but you don’t want to lose yourself, and your lyrics leave people saying, Okay, wait. I’m trying to catch up. Wait a minute. Wait, huh? And then you have to Google words because you don’t know them.
EDEN: Yes! This is me with The Last Dinner Party. I love them, but there are too many historical references in these songs for me to keep up [laughs].
LUNA: Who wants to take a history exam when listening to a song? [laughs].
EDEN: Exactly! Like, sometimes I want to listen to Paolo Nutini and just be, Ugh, love! And that’s it, that’s the vibes.
LUNA: In terms of sound, the contrast between “living lonely” and your previous singles, “everything you touch”, "I am whatever you want me to be,” and “aphrodite,” is that it has this grittier and grungier flare yet remains consistent with those folk roots. Was this something you had set out to do from the beginning?
EDEN: So when I wrote it, the anger was very much still crying, sadness, anger, but I think playing it a few times and sitting with it kind of made me realize, Actually, yeah, I'm pissed off about this. I want to throw things and shout. And bringing that to my band, we kind of workshopped it out a little bit. I also think that there is a little bit of intention in it because I think for me, this new EP is very much me finding more of my own personal style that's not limited to one particular genre. Not just indie-folk or singer-songwriter, even though that's obviously where I come from, but I've always loved rock. One of my favorite bands is Fontaines D.C., and they're a post-punk band. They're great, by the way, if you haven't listened to them. They're an Irish band. They're sick, I'm obsessed. They’re literally the opposite of the music that I make, but they have a lot of folk roots, I think. The lead singer releases some stuff as a solo project, which is super folky.
That's kind of the vision I have for myself, coming from a folk background, but being able to utilize different parts of genres that I love, to [achieve] the feeling that I'm trying to create. Like that grunge, punk rock vibe. So it was kind of intentional. Also, it happened to be that this is the perfect song for my producer. He had a field day! The minute he heard it, he was like, I'm gonna work on this and do all this stuff! He added all these crazy guitars, and I was like, Oh, he got the vision! He got the vision. So good!
LUNA: As an artist, support means everything. How has it been for you to receive support from Youth Music’s NextGen Fund for your second EP? I looked into their website, and it was so interesting. I love that there’s an organization to support young artists.
EDEN: There are a lot of great programs in the UK to support up-and-coming artists. Youth Music is obviously one of them that I’ve got funding for this time. Help Musicians is another great one. They’ve supported me throughout my career. There are some really, really amazing charities doing some great work and offering funding for people to make music that’s important. But yeah, [Youth Music] is lovely. They're honestly so nice. We yap on email; we catch up. They listen to my demos. It's a cute vibe, and I've played shows for them, and they do talks and stuff. I think it's so important to have support for emerging artists because I think, especially in a place like London, it's so oversaturated and so competitive, and can be really disheartening. So, to be able to access spaces, education, knowledge, and funding through people like Youth Music and Help Musicians is literally invaluable.
Photo by Ana Kang
LUNA: Outside of music, you founded the Queer Creatives London back in 2024. Can you talk to me about this platform you have created and what it’s been like for you to see the community and the art that has blossomed from it?
EDEN: Yeah, I mean, it's funny, because I kind of found it by accident. Queer Creatives London kind of came about by accident because I made a group chat on Instagram with a few friends who I know who are queer and do creative things and are based in London. I felt the community aspect is really lacking in a big city like London, where everything is so competitive and so anonymous a lot of the time. As a queer person in the music industry, [with] a lot of difficulty surrounding my identity and standing up for myself and advocating for myself, I wanted to connect with more people who had a similar position and background.
So I made this group chat and put a post on TikTok and Instagram, being like, Hey, does everyone want to join my group chat? It's like me and like 20 other mates, if you want to join it, whatever. Thousands of people were commenting and DMing me. It was insane, and I was like, I'm overwhelmed! What do I do? My phone was freezing because it was buffering, it couldn't take how many messages I was getting, and I was like, Oh my god! Oh no! I’ve girlbossed way too close to the sun!
But I always had this dream of wanting to start a collective, and I was like, Well, I guess I've started a collective now! So I made an Instagram and started doing events for it. I've just hired a load of volunteers to help run it with me. So hopefully it's going to be going up and bigger and better because there's so much of a need for it in London. I think people really struggle to find community here.
LUNA: Circling back to “living lonely,” you’re celebrating the release by hosting a headline show at The Libra in London on June 10. Aside from this show and the release of your EP later this year, what else are you looking forward to in terms of creativity and artistic growth?
EDEN: I am excited to get writing more. I'm releasing every six weeks so I don't really have a lot of capacity to be writing a lot and working a lot on new stuff at the moment, so I'm excited to get back into that over the summer. Writing more prose and poetry as well, because I feel like that's also something that is important to me as an artist. I don't necessarily show or push that as much on socials, but yeah, definitely focusing more on that side of things. I want to get more into production. My bassist is actually moving to Jamaica, so they're giving me all of their pedals and random stuff they have that they don't want anymore. So I'm gonna become a tech whiz. It's gonna be amazing. I'm gonna be that b*tch with ten pedals on stage.
LUNA: That’s gonna be exciting, though, I bet.
EDEN: I'm gonna hyper-focus and learn that skill now. I can’t wait!
