After captivating fans worldwide with his first EPs, Better Now (2018) and Stripped (2019), Etham has returned with his new single, “Guilty” and upcoming EP.
The uplifting song processes a breakup through a hopeful lens coming to the conclusion that even with sadness, there is room for hope.
We chatted with the UK singer-songwriter about the single, his upcoming EP, and more.
What is the inspiration behind your new single “Guilty”?
Years ago, I went through a breakup, but it didn’t end badly. I’ve also seen a lot of other relationships that ended on good terms and then also ones that ended badly, and I just feel that sometimes no matter how much wrong someone does, I think you are worth more not to let this affect you in such a negative way. I think there’s a huge positive that you get to move on to someone new who actually might be the one rather than getting angry that you haven’t found it yet. I think whether it was either good or bad I think it’s best to leave it as a memory that’ll either love or learn from and then move on.
What was the writing and production process like?
I was spending a bit of time getting some new songs together for my new EP, and I was in LA for 3 weeks in January, writing a bunch of songs. Near the end of the trip, I was kinda burnt out, but I remembered I came up with the rough chords of “Guilty” earlier on in the trip so I took them into a session and dug into the concept a bit more, and just bit by bit “Guilty” was written.
The message in most breakup songs is usually pretty bleak. Why did you decide to take a more hopeful perspective?
It felt like it wanted this vibe of a different take on a heartbreak because the chords felt so uplifting, but the concept was doing the opposite, and I think meeting them both in the middle gives off this energy of sad but with a hint of hope and it was fun playing around with that.
What is your favorite memory from the making of the EP?
Going to South Korea and LA were big highlights, but every time I write a song, they’re also some of my favourite times because it always feels great to have a finished song you’re proud of.
If you could set fans up in the perfect environment to listen to the EP, what do you imagine it looking like?
I think a cinema room with visuals going on would be a lot of fun.
What can fans expect from your upcoming EP?
I think they can expect something a little different to what I’ve done in the past. There’s definitely some songs that follow the vibe that I did with the 1st and 2nd EP but also there’s a few records where I wanted to try something a little different and hope it’s not too far so that they don’t enjoy but just enough to enjoy the evolution of where I want to take my music.
What can fans look forward to next?
I have a few more releases this year, and some show announcements very soon, and I’ve already started making the next EP which could possibly be an album so loads more music to come.
What is one quote that you have heard or that you go by that you want to ECHO out to the world?
Super simple, but “just keep going”