“Ultimately, almost all music is imbued with the blues, even if sometimes only subtly... for me, the Blues is music. The blues can reach deep. It's warm. Without the blues, music would freeze. And music, which has always resonated in human beings, naturally plays a fundamental role. Good music makes our days better; each of us, albeit in different ways, seeks it and wants it in our lives.“

Eva Carboni: The Siren Sings The Blues

Born in Sassari on the island of Sardinia, Eva Carboni is a gifted singer and songwriter working in the blues, rock, and jazz genres. She studied at the prestigious Vocal Power Academy in Los Angeles under the direction of renowned vocal coach Elisabeth Howard. In 2019, Eva recorded and released her debut solo album ‘Italia Square', on the Mad Ears Productions label. The album received rave reviews and worldwide radio airplay, with one of the more popular songs, ‘Love Me Tonight’, hitting a million views on YouTube. This was followed by a second album, ‘Smoke and Mirrors’, along with numerous singles and a 6-track EP titled, ‘In the Name of the Blues’. Eva explores a wide variety of blues, rock, and jazz styles on her third studio album, ‘Blues Siren’, released in 2024.

(Photo: Eva Carboni)

Sardinian born talented blues singer who began her career in L.A. and now works out of the U.K. with Andy Littlewood and Mad Ears Productions. “The Blues Archives” (2025) is her 6th album and features unreleased songs and reworked tracks from her career. Backing Eva Carboni’s vocals on 11-tracks album are Andy Littlewood on guitar, keys, bass and backing vocals, Pete Nelson on drums, Mick Simpson on guitar for five cuts, also features Dave Hunt on harp, and Andreus Linsdell on lead guitar.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the music influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

I don't know if music has influenced my worldview. Music has always been a part of me, and I'm very grateful for that. My father, as I've said before, made me sing with him from the moment I could speak. He was a sophisticated chansonier, born in France. Most of the time, it happened while he was busy doing something else, and I'd be there with my legs dangling from a table or desk, learning French and swing songs. It was my favorite game then, now it's what I naturally chose to do and what makes me feel like I'm following my own path, following my inner voice.

How do you describe your music philosophy and songbook? Currently you’ve one more blues release. How did that relationship with the Blues come about?

My musical philosophy and my work are the fruit of many influences, inspirations, and study. I've observed, I've "hosted" so much music within me, I've even empathized with it, I've tried to live these things, and I've preserved everything that resonated with me. The blues came to me from my older sisters and brother, who nourished themselves on music in my home. If we want to talk about female voices, I had a revelation hearing Janis Joplin and Tina Turner, but I also love many other artists and singers, I could make a very long list! I've loved and experimented with many styles, and I've treasured them. My producer Andy Littlewood and I are always working on something new, even now. We like to infuse our blues albums with other flavors, darting between rock and jazz, sometimes taking somewhat visionary paths.                                                  (Photo: Eva Carboni)

“Today, women have certainly become more independent and, in some ways, more self-confident, and have more opportunities to assert themselves. But then I think of women like Tina Turner or Cher, who managed to change the game of life they were stuck in, in times when it was more difficult than it is now. Today, there are truly many fabulous female artists who manage their careers admirably.”

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Of course, I'd love to teleport back to the 1960s. Just thinking about it makes my heart race. But now it's up to us to preserve, rejuvenate and reenergize the gifts of the past. I can't say I miss anything I didn't experience, but I'm happy to be able to relive much of it in the present. How much beauty, emotion, and energy from the past is still alive and well! It's wonderful!

What moment changed your life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Oh, that's a complicated question! It would take me a long time to answer. I believe there are many important moments in our lives, moments when we face changes, when we find ourselves at a crossroads and have to decide which way to go. Sometimes it's easy to choose, sometimes we're a little confused or afraid of going the wrong way. 

About 10 years ago, a dear friend of mine, the great English guitarist Mick Simpson, invited me to sing one song in one of his albums, introducing me to his producer Andy Littlewood. A wonderful professional understanding and friendship immediately developed between Andy and I. He's a talented singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and brilliant producer. We've already released four albums, two EPs, and several singles together, and we're still creatively buzzing, especially these days. I think this was the turning point.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

The world is a huge mess right now, and this is reflected in every area. In the music world there are more or less the same rules, it is done by artists, people and business. There are beautiful people and other people best kept away from.  It's important to hold ourselves fast and present, always reminding ourselves who we are and why we do this work. To be ourselves without fear, to give ourselves and to accept our oddities and our fragility without hiding behind a facade. I've learned that sometimes we slam a lot of doors in our own faces by our selves, if we're not 100% into what we are doing.

“My musical philosophy and my work are the fruit of many influences, inspirations, and study. I've observed, I've "hosted" so much music within me, I've even empathized with it, I've tried to live these things, and I've preserved everything that resonated with me” (Photo: Eva Carboni)

What does to be a female artist in a Man’s World as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

As I said before, I think the rules are more or less the same as in other areas. I think it depends on us and how we act, on our strength and determination. I think history has taught us abundantly that all artists are very sensitive and sometimes, unfortunately, quite fragile. I think this applies to women as well as men. Today, women have certainly become more independent and, in some ways, more self-confident, and have more opportunities to assert themselves. But then I think of women like Tina Turner or Cher, who managed to change the game of life they were stuck in, in times when it was more difficult than it is now. Today, there are truly many fabulous female artists who manage their careers admirably.

Why is it important to we preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of music in today’s society?

Ultimately, almost all music is imbued with the blues, even if sometimes only subtly... for me, the Blues is music. The blues can reach deep. It's warm. Without the blues, music would freeze. And music, which has always resonated in human beings, naturally plays a fundamental role. Good music makes our days better; each of us, albeit in different ways, seeks it and wants it in our lives.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

You know, I'm doing what feels right at this moment. I can't plan my inspiration; I welcome what comes. After all, we are channels carrying something that passes through us, here. It's clear that what I'm doing now resonates with the here and now, but it also carries within it everything that has passed through me and all the wonderful music I've been fortunate enough to listen to. I don't know how my work will be received in the future, but I do it with love and passion. We'll see how it goes.

Eva Carboni - Home

(Photo: Eva Carboni)