Edwina Van Kuyk
Irish singer-songwriter Edwina Van Kuyk creates music that blends heartfelt storytelling with soulful pop influences. With her latest single, “Here To Stay”, she embraces vulnerability while delivering a powerful message of hope, acceptance, and emotional resilience. Featuring a stunning live choir and inspired by personal experiences of loss and healing, the song showcases Edwina’s ability to transform deeply personal emotions into something universally relatable.
In this interview, we talk about her musical journey, the artists who shaped her sound, the story behind “Here To Stay”, and how songwriting continues to serve as both a creative outlet and a source of emotional grounding.
Hi Edwina, how are you? What's your story?
Heyy! Nice to meet you! I'm Edwina, a songwriter & artist from Limerick, Ireland. I write pop/soul music and my most recent single features a live choir, which is a dream come true for me!
What did you grow up listening to?
I loved all the pop girls so Britney, Shakira, Christina. And then as I got older and started playing guitar, I really got into James Morrison, Jack Johnson, Colbie Caillat.
At what point did you realize you had to be an artist and release your original music?
I started writing when I was about 11 and it came very naturally. I always wanted people to hear my music and I would share it with anyone who listened. I think as I got older, I started considering it as a possibility and then it unfolded naturally.
Could you list a few records that influenced the music you are making today?
Olivia Dean has been a huge inspiration for me. I saw her live in Paris is 2023 and became obsessed with 'Slowly'. Her album Messy is also a huge inspiration for me. Also James Morrison - Higher than Here record is a huge influence for the kind of music I'm making today.
“Here To Stay” feels deeply emotional and vulnerable. What was the first spark behind this song?
I experienced a lot of loss in my early twenties and I think I've only really begun processing it now. I really believe you have to write from the scar and not the wound, so for me it's a song about coming to terms with the effects of losing people. It makes you afraid that every relationship is going to end that way.
Could you describe the songwriting/production process for this particular song?
I wrote this song on guitar and then took it into the studio the next day to my producer, Cian. I wanted it to have a big sound and be uplifting, despite the lyrical content. I then met the most incredible choir in Dublin, just by chance & they agreed to be on the song. I think the live choir really elevated the track so I was very lucky the way it worked out.
The track blends indie pop with gospel-inspired textures and choir elements. What drew you toward that soundscape for this release?
I've always loved gospel music. I was drawn to it growing up, and I suppose it's not something I ever leaned into with my music. I knew I wanted a live choir on a song, I just didn't know this would be the one!
There’s a beautiful tension in the song between fear and hope. Did your perspective on permanence and relationships evolve while creating it?
A lot of the time when I write a song, it just flows out and afterwards I have to really get to the crux of what I'm trying to say. So because I took this to the studio the day after I wrote it, it was definitely very raw and vulnerable at that stage. I realised though that it could be interpreted as pessimistic in it's lyrical content, but it's not that for me. It's about acceptance and although there is fear there, there's also a 'let go and trust the process' mentality to it.
Was writing this song cathartic for you?
Absolutely! It always feels good to write something, release it and then move onto the next thing. It's not how I'll always feel I'm sure but it's how I felt in that moment, and I think it's so cool that you can freeze a feeling in time by putting it into a song.
Your music often feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. How do you balance vulnerability with protecting parts of yourself?
I've had to be really intentional about this. I used to hear a lot in my writing sessions that I was very closed off, so I had to learn to let my guard down a bit. But I also learned the flip side of that - there was a reason I was closed off. You have to choose who you open up to and I feel very safe with the people I choose to work with, so that's important. Once it comes to releasing, it's no longer up to me how the song is received so I try to give up control at that point.
You’ve already built such a strong reputation in Ireland’s music scene. Looking back, what moments have felt the most surreal or rewarding so far?
Working with a live choir is definitely up there! I also had my debut on national TV which definitely felt surreal. Recording a music video for my previous single 'Find My Way' was also a very pinch me moment. I'm getting to do a lot of the things I once dreamt of!
As an independent artist, what have been some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned about yourself through music?
A friend & mentor of mine, Rob Wells, once told me 'you have to be happy at base camp'. This is something I tend to live by because as an independent artist you have to wear so many hats, and I don't love all of them. But I love writing and making music. So long as I'm happy doing that, I'm in a good place.
How do you personally take care of your mental and emotional wellbeing while navigating music and life?
Any time I go without writing for a while, it tends to build up and I feel anxious and 'off'. I don't always equate it immediately but I guess it's an energy thing and just like with emotions, you have to let it flow through or it becomes stagnant in you. I usually feel a weight off my shoulders after writing. But I've always had a hard time with feeling anxious so it's all the maintenance stuff too like yoga and meditation that helps me. And talking to a friend! It never feels so bad once you share it. I have a tendency to ruminate, so whether I get it out of my head by putting it on a page or speaking with a friend, I feel better afterwards.
Has music always been a safe space for you emotionally?
Not always actually. There's been times in my life where I haven't been able to write or even listen to music. It comes back to writing from the scar and not the wound. I've not always been ready to feel as deeply as music helps you to do. Sometimes you just need to get by, but it always comes back to me, and it's a huge support in my life.
If listeners take away one feeling or message from “Here To Stay,” what do you hope it is?
I hope they feel uplifted. I think I experienced such an emotional release singing this song and writing it, so it would be nice to think it could do the same for someone else. With that being said, whatever you feel, I'm just honoured if it made you feel something!
Finally, what’s next for Edwina van Kuyk after “Here To Stay”?
I have another track coming in a couple of weeks so I'm looking ahead to that. I also have some live shows in Ireland this summer. I've travelled a lot recently with my music, so it's nice to spend time at home and be close to my roots.
Connect with Edwina: