Eva Zakula is a captivating multi-genre songwriting genius whose new album Be Ye Lil Gods will touch listeners across the globe. Experimental and unique yet relatable Be Ye Lil Gods is an enthralling 11-song collection featuring a mix of pop, soul funk, downtempo, Jazz and more. Her vocals are passionate, soul-drenched and immediate, a raw listen in which listeners will appreciate. The themes are personal (identity, vulnerability, human fallibility, longing). There’s a groundedness. By refusing to lean on cliché, she makes her introspections feel more immediate.
We chat with Eva all about her new album, creative process, plan to tour and more! The result is a deep dive into the rising artist.
Hi Eva, congrats on your new album Be Ye Lil Gods, can you tell our readers more about the themes found on the new 11 song collection?
Oh absolutely! As I explored the beauty of raw vocals and truly grew into understanding myself, which I spent so many years trying to pinpoint, I found my path to constant betterment as a consistent internal message. We often grow up with a competitive edge against external factors, whether it’s playing sports or auditioning in the theatre scene, but at my core, all I really cared about was getting better than the me of yesterday. Socially, mentally, creatively, physically. How could I improve? I'm still figuring it out, but even in times of challenge I find that there is this voice in the back of my head saying find the positive in this and grow from it. Find love even when it's hard to, and always find the love for yourself. I would say those are the major themes of this album: the path to self-betterment, choosing love and choosing to love yourself.
Why did you name the album Be Ye Lil Gods? What does the title mean to you?
Be Ye Lil Gods was the clear title in this album for me. There is a biblical reference here. Psalm 82.6 says, "I said, 'You are Gods; you are all sons of the Most High." For me, whether this is the general or 'correct' interpretation, I believe that it means that we were created in God and we all have the power to operate in our 'Most High' power as God is within us. Though we are in our human form experiencing life through these eyes for the 'first' time, we cannot let the fact that we are human, that we make mistakes, that we eb and flow determine our value for being in existence is value enough. We are all enough, and this album serves as a self-reflection on that journey. What is this thing called life really about? Rather than seeking to understand meaning, why not curate the meaning and take control of our internal world so we can exist in the new world: a higher frequency world of beauty and love. Step into your higher power, act in God and see God in others.
Is there a perfect time or place for listeners to enjoy the music?
You know, because this is such a self-reflective expression, I feel this album is meant to be savored and marinated in isolation at first, where you can really reflect on the lyrics, feel the vibes of each song, and let them affect you however they do. That’s the first listen. After that, there’s definitely an easy-listening, vibey world created in much of the album. Take "Righta", for example. It’s perfect for driving around town in a chill, positive state, or maybe laying on the beach, soaking up the rays and appreciating the day you’ve been given. There are many chill tracks like this that can be enjoyed anywhere: coastal drives, long walks, even as a mantra to keep your nervous system regulated and your mind positive in everyday life.
Then there’s the other side of the album, like "High", where you hear this intense yearning in both the vocals and arrangement. It’s this bubbling energy that might inspire a run, a sensual dance, a night drive, or just a nighttime vibe in general. "Play It On Loud" and "Scorpio" also carry that edgy, sensual, moonlit pull. That’s the dichotomy of me: chill and easy, self-reflective, and at the same time, intense.
What is your favorite song on the album and why?
Gosh, that is really hard because it’s constantly changing. Being in the rock circuit and performing in LA venues right now, I find "High" is such a power stance. It’s incredibly dynamic and powerful which is exactly what the album is about. This is a reflection of my stage alter-ego. Loud, powerful, eccentric. On the flip side, I love Too. There is a different kind of power in "Too". One that says, "I choose to make the hard decision in love so that we both can find what is meant for us." That kind of power isn’t loud or in your face. It’s intimate and raw. If I have to choose between these two, I think "Too" is the most reflective of my true inner being, so I feel deeply connected to it.
You said that you began unlearning everything you thought you knew about music and studied what really made music timeless. What are those qualities?
Ooh this is great. I grew up in the theatre, which is why there is such a theatrical element to my performance and vocals. Growing in that world, mixed with the societal influence of shows like The Voice and American Idol, I found that we were always chasing perfection. It was about being the best 'vocalist' or the 'most impressive.' When I studied acting in college and worked on classical music training on the side, I realized that the goal of sounding perfect but bland did not resonate with me. Acting was about stripping down and becoming someone, understanding them and why they make the choices they do. Music should be the same, if not in an even more heightened way. It should not be a manufactured emotion but an allowance for imperfection in order to reflect true emotion.
Once I graduated, I studied the icons of music who have been pivotal in shaping the industry such as Prince, Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Isley Brothers, and so on. They all found their own sound. As I worked in the studio breaking down my vocal training, Robert Max gave me the space to let go and step into my natural inclination: getting raw and experimenting with imperfection. That was where we began finding my sound. It wasn’t in the perfection of sounding good, but in the rawness of my voice and in the storytelling, with each word holding value and importance.
Trust me, it was very hard to hear those initial recordings of myself. In fact, all of these tracks still carry those original imperfections sprinkled throughout. But over time, I learned to step away and listen objectively, to appreciate that vulnerability. I sounded like Eva Zakula, not Eva Zakula trying to be the best singer in the room, nor Eva Zakula dressing the part of another musician. It was me, and it was beautiful.
The timeless aspect comes naturally by creating songs with deeply thought-out lyrics and melodies. Not just putting something out for the sake of it, but really ruminating on the creation, revising again and again, and hearing the call from the ether. Music that is tapped in and from the heart. That kind of music stands the test of time.
What do you hope the music inspires?
I really would love to see a world where we are more receptive to one another, where we can let go of getting lost in the system and the superficiality of this decade, and find our humanity again. So often we become consumed with things that do not truly matter, and in doing so we overlook the real beauty of simply being ourselves at our core and connecting to one another vulnerably. I hope listeners feel inspired to create a positive and loving atmosphere, because that alone can make the world such a beautiful place. We need that now more than ever in this lifetime.
Who did you collaborate with on the new album and what did they bring to the creative process?
Robert Max was introduced to me after I graduated from college, and I spent years with him learning pop music influences and breaking down my training. Robert has a strong influence and deep love for funk music, which is why you hear such funk-tastic grooves in our songs. He also writes from a place of love, so our collaboration felt inevitable. It was safe and easy. I brought a lot of jazz elements to this album, since that was the first musical path that drew me in after college, along with rock, which I have always felt drawn to. I loved bands like Muse and Wolfmother growing up, and that influence is still in me. By blending all of that with funk and soul, we created our own unique baby, and I’m forever affected.
If you could describe your sound in three words, what would they be?
Experimental, Raw, Diva
Do you plan to take Be Ye Lil Gods on the road?
Oh absolutely. This album is meant for the stage, as am I *wink wink wink*. Truly, the album is larger than life. Sure, it can work in a lounge-type scene in a stripped-down version, but in its true form the music is expansive and most powerful when played on a major scale. I would say the tour will happen in a year or two as I get all the moving pieces in place. I’ve learned not to force something before it’s time, but instead to prepare and align so that we are always in motion and ready when the moment comes.
What is next for Eva Zakula?
I’m creating and getting even more clear on the vision. We’re in a really fun chapter right now, and the element of play is in full effect. I feel confident in my performance and songwriting skills, and I have two hot new singles just waiting to be released. The momentum is ripe and electric. I’m excited, and you should be too. It’s only going to get better from here.
Connect with Eva Zakula: INSTAGRAM
