Meet Eileen Allway of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eileen Allway.

Hi Eileen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been writing songs since I was quite young. It’s something that has always been a piece of me. I still have my first songbook from when I was eight that I love to look back at. I’ve had many ups and downs with music, artistry, songwriting, and passion, but no matter how many times I try to run away from music, I always find my way back. After high school, I thought, “Well, I’m not good enough to be an artist, so I’ll try the industry. Okay, didn’t like that – I’ll work in publishing because I can work with songwriters even though I’m not good enough to be one. Okay, well, maybe I could be a songwriter and write for other people since I want to be on the creative side, but I’m not interesting enough to be front-facing. Then, I met some people in college (who are now my nearest and dearest) who offered to help me produce and release and EP of original music, put on a house show in Boston, and that was really my career starting point – just to have a group of people I don’t really know believe in me was push and faith I needed. I released some singles and an EP during COVID and my first album in 2024. If we’re being honest, my only real desire is to make great stuff. So, as for where I am today, I’m playing. I’m finding a new joy in and connection to the process and building self-trust. I don’t know how long my next record will take and, quite frankly, what it will be, but I’m chiseling away at it slowly, and I’m really excited to see what it ends up being.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No! Haha. There’s personal struggle, SO many ups and downs. I tend to be the one holding myself back, self-worth, etc… I feel so grateful for being able to pursue music; I feel so selfish for pursuing music. It’s a back-and-forth that I’m starting to iron out. Then there’s the turbulence of the industry. We live in a time of easy accessibility, which is so beautiful in so many ways, but the terms and conditions, knowing you’re lucky if you break even going on a tour, and having to do all the extracurriculars to make a living. I respect the shit out of these friends, artists, peers that are doing all of those things, that are balancing 3 jobs, hopping in a van to tour, constantly promoting on social media, they are doing the most. I’m still figuring out how I want to participate in it while staying true to my values and goals. I’m grateful to have so many friends and family who have shown up for me. I’m just a bit stubborn in what I’m willing to do for visibility. I think I have to respect that resistance as a choice, and maybe I’m just choosing a different way of doing things, even if it comes with a big sacrifice. I’m just trying to understand and respect the way I want to create and work. There’s both instinctual resistance and gravitation that I feel, and my only goal is to learn how to follow and trust that, so we’ll see where everything takes me. I think the biggest challenge is understanding how I want music to fit in my life. What does the relationship have to be for me to create from the safest and most abundant place possible, where I can really grow? All that to say, I’m so proud of everything I’ve made. I didn’t use to be, but now I am. I think there’s a lot that people can connect to in there. I’m starting to access myself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an artist, singer/songwriter, and producer. I’ve also dabbled in some scoring, producing for other artists, and sync music. I think I’m known for my honesty, sad songs – the gut punchers. Those are surprisingly usually the favorites at shows. Growing up, I’d often hear “your songs are so beautiful, but they are so sad.”I’m learning that I should’ve taken that as a compliment rather than a critique and capitalized on it earlier. But I like to think I’m becoming more versatile. I love to have drums banging and lots of guitars, trying to yell a little less politely at each show. Trying to have a little more fun with each song. Do a little bit more of a dance on stage. I’d say learning production has been a big game-changer – I can play a lot of different roles in the room now. I’m also known for my gardening. I love to grow vegetables.

What were you like growing up?
I was so quiet and shy, but silly. I don’t know, just a girl. My mom would drop me off at dance. I would cry until she came back – even though I loved to dance! I hated camp. I would cry until pick-up. I was always just singing, being loud at home and quiet in public. Music was always the main interest. I had a brief ice skating stint, but I was too afraid to fall. I wish I weren’t afraid to fall. I wish I were brave enough to do sports. I work out now, though. My friends and I would spend our time writing songs or TV scripts, singing covers, and doing other silly things. In high school, I somehow got myself to do music competitively, and that’s when I started to come out of my shell. I’m finding a lot more hobbies/interests these days… Really want to learn how to whittle, and I’m getting alright at pool.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eileenallway.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eileenallway/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@eileenallway
• Other: https://eileenallway.fanlink.tv/lovewater

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Todd Midler

Additional Photos and Art: Emilie Wilde