by mariah estran
photo courtesy of hana eid
“The idea of anyone listening to something I've written, like in their car or on the school bus, is very cool to me,” Hana Eid confides when asked about her debut EP, I Exist Because You Say So. “To be a part of someone's day, in that way, I think would be cool because music was always that for me.”
It’s her first full-length project, describing it as an EP “all about yearning.” She delves into that peculiar time of early adulthood. The relationships you make and sometimes lose while simultaneously figuring out who you are. Eid unpacks those authentically raw emotions through a lineup of moving alternative numbers.
Through six songs, her vulnerable lyricism depicts itself in tracks like “Avoid The News” — she grapples with the concept of someone starting to distance themselves. While “Weird” documents that whirlwind of feelings when developing a new crush.
Eid says I Exist Because You Say So is a project indicative of where she is now as an artist and where she wants to continue going. She’s creating that connectivity with her listeners, developing a space where one can listen and find comfort during the tricky times of growing up.
In celebration of the new EP, Eid tells us more about creating the project, her production, opening up, and what she hopes listeners take away after listening.
You’ve released several singles that led up to your EP, the final being “Avoid The News.” What can you tell us about the song?
Hana: “I wrote it around this time last year. I was back in Virginia — which is where I'm from originally. I wrote about a friend breakup. A lot of the songs on this project are more romantically charged love songs. But that's all it was about, a sudden crash into a hole and to a friendship — trying to readjust my routine to adapt.”
So, going off what you've mentioned previously in other interviews, this EP is all about yearning. What can you tell us about that?
Hana: “The whole yearning is indicative of entering my early 20s and entering adulthood — feeling like I'm on the precipice of something. I want so much, especially in relationships — trying to navigate relationships as you're kind of ‘coming of age.’ Historically, there’s been a lot of unfulfilled desire. Like trying to figure out how to meet your own needs and what needs your relationships can meet. This whole time period in my life has been very tender and raw.”
The overall sound of all these songs — you have this way of creating this cinematic sound space that really heightens these raw and captivating lyrics. What were some of your inspirations as you produced this project?
Hana: “I really like this band called Wednesday. I started getting into them this year — they've been a huge inspiration to me, lyrically. I also love Big Chief, the kind of folky lyricism and instrumentals.”
When it comes to writing and creating these lyrics, what is the process like for you?
Hana: “The way I write is honestly not super intentional. It sounds kind of ridiculous, but I usually have this compulsive urge — I need to write right now. Then I sit down with my guitar, play around and improvise. But a lot of the way I write is in the moment, like a stream of consciousness.”
How does this new sound on your EP express your current stage as an artist?
Hana: “It’s my first full-body work. It’s a bit more indicative of what I want my sound to be moving forward. I’m definitely leaning into more of the alternative and rock influences. That has been fun for me, especially putting together live ranges with my band. This project is a good representation of where my sound is right now and the direction I want it to keep going in.”
You mention this stream of consciousness when it came to writing this project. Has it been easy opening up or has it been a process?
Hana: “I think it's always been something I've been comfortable with, which is a blessing and a curse. These songs are probably the most vulnerable songs that I’ve released, which is exciting and a bit scary. Generally, I've never had much fear of being vulnerable.”
Is there a meaning behind the title of the EP? If so, what is the story?
Hana: “I basically was going through my old notes app, trying to find a title — lyrics and stuff I jotted down. I had that one-liner in a note, and I felt like we're on to something here.
I had no idea when I wrote it or why I wrote it, but I was like, I think this makes sense. Especially because so many of the songs happened to be about relationships, and yearning is the big thing on the project. I thought the title was just super fitting.”
Lastly, what do you hope listeners take away after listening to the EP?
Hana: “I would love for listeners to be intentional about hearing smooth lyrics. I hope that what I'm conveying comes across clearly and makes someone feel less alone.
Also, the idea of anyone listening to something I've written, like in their car or on the school bus, is very cool to me. To be a part of someone's day in that way, I think, would be cool because music was always that for me.”