When It Feels Right: A Conversation with Edwina van Kuyk

Edwina van Kuyk recently released her debut EP, Feels So Right. Comprised of tracks “Tailspin,” “Never Not To Know Each Other Again,” and “Feels So Right,“ the project captures her most personal work to date, weaving themes of self-trust, surrender, and the friendships that have shaped her as both a person and a songwriter. Her nostalgic vocals and soulful, deliberate songwriting give the EP a quiet glow – like a warm blanket on a cool autumn day.

Keep reading to learn more about Feels So Right, van Kuyk’s songwriting process, and what’s next for her!

Emma Zoe Polyak: For those who aren’t familiar with your music, how would you describe your sound? What’s the one thing you’d want listeners to know before pressing play?

Edwina Van Kuyk: I would describe my music as pop-soul. This music has been a really long time coming and I have finally found something that I'm really proud to put out into the world, so I would want people to know that a whole lot of love has gone into this record!

EZP: Your debut EP Feels So Right just came out – congratulations! What emotions have been surrounding that release? Has anything surprised you about how people have responded so far?

EVK: Thank you! I've honestly just been really excited to release music. I've never been more proud of the music I've made and this record really feels like it's authentically me, so the emotions around it have just been pure excitement and relief. I've been really overwhelmed by the response. It's been very positive and encouraging, and people like what they are hearing so it's really just motivated me to get back into the studio and make more.

EZP: Feels So Right centers on themes of surrender and self-trust. How have those ideas influenced the way you create and move through your career as an artist?

EVK: Self-trust is at the center of Feels So Right for sure! Through my friendship with my friend, Anouk, which the song "Never Not to Know Each Other Again" happens to be about, I learned that trusting your gut and your instinct is really important when it comes to making something that feels authentic. It's summed up best in the lyrics to "Feels So Right," – "Now I believe it, if I feel it. That's how it should be."

EZP: Can you walk me through your creative process? Does inspiration usually come from a specific place, or does it tend to build gradually?

EVK: Collaboration was key to each of these songs on the EP. I used to find the idea of collaboration really intimidating and off-putting, because I was fearful of sharing my ideas with others, especially when they were so close to my heart. But I found that collaborating has only enhanced my ideas and brought a fresh outlook to my music. It's a really exciting thing to be in the room when you know that you are creating magic, and I feel really lucky to have found people that I can do that with.

EZP: Tell me a bit about your journey with music. You’ve been making music for a few years, but have really begun releasing this year – what pushed you to start sharing your work more publicly?

EVK: Yeah so I've been making music since I was around 11 years old, and I studied music in college. I've been involved in songwriting for other artists and somehow my music ended up on the back burner in the process. I just found that anytime I was creating something and felt as though I was ready to release it, I would become so overwhelmed by the opinions of others. It's been a process but I have to really learn how to tune that out and trust my own ability and my creative vision.

It seems cheesy, but the reason the EP is called Feel So Right is because now it really does. There's some part of it that I can't really explain why it's happening now, but I feel like maybe I was supposed to hold off on releasing anything until now. 

EZP: How has your relationship with music evolved since you first started performing, if at all?

EVK: I actually used to have quite bad stage fright. I remember one gig where I honestly felt like I was going to pass out when I was backstage, but more recently, I've felt really at home on the stage, and that's probably a reflection of the music I'm making and how I feel it really represents who I am as an artist.

EZP: What do you love most about live performances and being on stage? Do you approach songs differently when performing them live?

EVK: I love being on stage now. There is nothing like the feeling of connecting with people through your music, and being able to perform live means that I can see that connection happening in real time. I have a really wonderful friend, pianist, and musical director who has been working with me on my music for live performance, and he adds a bit of magic to each and every song. He captures the essence of the recorded song and translates it really well to a stripped back live version, but still preserving the magic from the record. 

EZP: Are there artists or albums that you feel have shaped your music the most?

EVK: Absolutely! Artists like James Morrison, and Gavin DeGraw have really shaped how I sing and how my voice has developed over time. I grew up listening to these voices, and although it might not be immediately apparent when you hear my music, I've definitely taken aspects of their art and poured it into mine.

EZP: As a follow up, I always love to know what the artists that I listen to listen to – who are some artists that you’ve had on repeat lately?

EVK: So growing up, for some reason I used to be really drawn to male voices. I've always connected with a voice more than a style of music, or even what they're singing about, but lately it's all the ladies in the music industry who have got me hooked. So, I've been listening to a lot of Olivia Dean, RAYE, Ravyn Lanae, and the new Lily Allen album is pure genius! You can tell when an artist puts their soul into their music, and they 100% do.

EZP: Looking ahead, what’s next for you?

EVK: Well, actually very excitingly, I have another single that's coming out on December 2nd. This one is actually a duet with another Irish artist and it's quite different to the record I've just released, so I'm really excited to share it and hear what everyone thinks!