The Evolution of Sound: Ehson Hashemian Unpacks His Most Personal Album Yet, “Believe”

In an increasingly complex world, the power of belief—in oneself, in overcoming adversity, and in the enduring magic of music—shines as a beacon. Ehson Hashemian, a prolific artist known for his emotionally resonant soundscapes, delves into this very essence with his fourth solo album, “Believe.” Far from a mere collection of tracks, “Believe” is a testament to personal evolution, a reignited passion for songwriting, and an unwavering commitment to honesty in the face of setbacks.

In this insightful interview, Hashemian unpacks the deeply personal journey that shaped “Believe,” revealing how difficult life experiences forged a renewed sense of self-belief and artistic purpose. He discusses the album’s central theme of self-honesty and optimism, inviting listeners to find solace and motivation within its 14 tracks. From the unexpected genesis of “It Is What It Is” to the cathartic creation of “Feel,” Hashemian offers a candid glimpse into his songwriting process, highlighting how “Believe” stands apart from his previous works like “Face Shine” and “Bliss” through its newfound fluidity and positive mindset.

Beyond the lyrical depth, Hashemian, a multi-instrumentalist, sheds light on his unique approach to crafting an expansive yet intimate sound, recorded largely himself with only one collaboration for mastering. He touches upon the significant role of experimentation, blending genres from rock to afro-beat, and pushing creative boundaries in tracks that challenged his usual methods. As he reflects on his journey from co-writing Young The Giant’s massive hit “Cough Syrup” to forging a distinct solo career, Hashemian redefines success, prioritizing artistic integrity over commercial metrics.

Hashemian also shares how his Southern California roots subtly infuse his music and offers a tantalizing peek into his prolific future, with several more albums already in the pipeline, promising an even broader exploration of dance, funk, and jazz. Join us as Ehson Hashemian invites us to “Believe”—not just in his music, but in the power of our own resilience and the enduring promise of a more optimistic tomorrow.

Ehson Hashemian

“Believe” is your fourth solo album. What does this title represent for you at this stage in your life and career?

Ehson Hashemian: Going through difficult times in my life personally, I had to find whatever way possible to believe in myself to overcome adversity. After finishing this album, I felt my level of songwriting really evolved from my previous work, and reignited my passion for music that was dwindling for some time. Now I feel more confident than ever to share this music with the world.

There are 14 tracks on this record. Was there a central theme or emotional throughline guiding the entire album?

Ehson Hashemian: The central theme is mainly being honest with oneself when facing extreme setbacks, and finding a way to believe that you can still find a way to get by with life. The songs are all kind of meant to inspire and motivate the listener when feeling like you are stuck, and to help you escape into a more optimistic state that things will get better.

How did the songwriting process for Believe differ from your previous albums like Face Shine or Bliss?

Ehson Hashemian: The songwriting process for the “Believe” album was much more fluid than the previous albums. I wrote my first three solo albums after taking a long break from writing music, so my writing skills and musicianship were a little bit rusty at that time. However, after completing those albums and starting with the “Believe” album a year later, I felt much more solid in my ability to write and record songs. I was also in a better mood overall, with a more positive mindset, so the songs turned out to be more uplifting and happy sounding.

What song on Believe came to you most unexpectedly—and what was the story behind it?

Ehson Hashemian: The most unexpected song was “It Is What It Is.” I just randomly came up with the guitar loop and made it as polyrhythmic as possible. I had to listen very closely to come up with the right vocal melodies that would bring together and simplify the somewhat complicated sound. The lyrics were inspired by the common phrase that people tend to say when things go wrong or are just out of our hands. Going through some difficulty myself, anytime I would talk about it to others, the common consensus was “well, it is what it is.” I felt that we could do better than just stating “it is what it is” whenever someone is struggling, so I wrote a whole song on going deeper than just stating the obvious.

You’re known for writing emotionally resonant music. Were there any moments during the making of this album that felt especially cathartic or transformative?

Ehson Hashemian: Yes, when I wrote and finished recording the song “Feel,” it was quite uplifting and transformative. It was the first time that I felt like I had a universally friendly track that really anyone could appreciate and enjoy. I was also very content with my vocal performance on the track, as I feel it was some of the most emotive singing that I have done.

Musically, Believe feels both expansive and intimate. How did you strike that balance in the studio?

Ehson Hashemian: I try to keep things as simple as possible in the studio to keep it sounding intimate and as if you are in the room hearing it live. I only use three microphones (two overheads, one kick drum) to record the drums. The expansiveness mainly comes from the polyrhythmic guitar parts, which sometimes I will add delay to one layer. Finding the right balance between the two requires listening very closely and kind of observing each song from as unbiased of a standpoint as possible.

You play multiple instruments. How much of Believe did you record yourself, and did you collaborate with others on this project?

Ehson Hashemian: I played every instrument, sang all the vocals, wrote, and recorded every song on the album. The only collaboration I did was having it mastered by Grammy-nominated mastering engineer Shawn Hatfield at Audible Oddities.

What role did experimentation play in the sound design or arrangement choices on this album?

Ehson Hashemian: Experimentation played a big role in creating this album. I definitely experimented a lot outside of my comfort zone to create the sounds on the album. I tried to blend sounds from many different genres including rock, jazz, dance, and afro-beat.

Did you write any songs on Believe that challenged your usual approach or pushed you creatively in new directions?

Ehson Hashemian: Yes, almost all of the songs challenged my usual approach in one way or another. The song “It Is What It Is” consists of another level of polyrhythmic guitar work that required me to really listen to all the harmonics of the overall sound to figure out the right vocal melodies. It took a lot of focus and thinking outside of the box to come up with. In addition, the song “Feel” required me to completely detach from the world around me and really live in the moment to capture the exact sound that I wanted in the vocals, so I could captivate the listener.

If you had to choose one track on Believe that best defines where you are now as an artist, which would it be—and why?

Ehson Hashemian: I think the one track on the album that best defines me now as an artist is the song “Feel.” The song really captures my character, with the music being uplifting, yet heartfelt, and simple.

From co-writing “Cough Syrup” to crafting your own solo catalog, how has your perception of success evolved?

Ehson Hashemian: I view success as an artist and commercial success in the music industry as separate entities. To succeed in the modern music industry, you typically need to compromise your sound as an artist to appeal to a wider audience, and usually that involves following the trends of the time. Unfortunately, unless you are one of the most well-known acts, new artists trying to break through the scene typically resort to gimmicks to gain quick followers, so it is really becoming less and less about the art of making music, and more about who can get the most streams. However, I believe true success as a musical artist comes from pushing yourself to come up with songs you never thought you were capable of creating, and music that defines your character as a person, without worrying about how many people will praise you. There’s nothing wrong with people praising other’s music, but I don’t think that should be the main objective in making music, more like an extra bonus that you should be content without. At the end, a successful artist is one that is happy and proud of the way they sound.

Looking back at your time with The Jakes/Young the Giant, do you feel any threads from that era still weave into your music today?

Ehson Hashemian: Yes, the time with the band definitely helped me realize the need for positivity and connectivity in my music today. We wrote music to uplift people, and I still continue to write to uplift myself and any potential listener.

How have your experiences outside of music—life, relationships, reflection—influenced the emotional core of Believe?

Ehson Hashemian: My experiences outside of music completely shaped the emotional core of “Believe.” While going through some difficult times with my mental and physical health, I had to find a way to escape the feeling of helplessness and believe in myself again. Taking things one day at a time and learning to push through the pain is really what the album is all about.

Do you feel freer now as a solo artist, or is the pressure different when it’s just your name on the cover?

Ehson Hashemian: I definitely feel freer now, as I am not creating music with the primary focus being commercial success. My primary focus is to just make the best music as I possibly can, to leave behind a catalog that I can look back at and be proud of making, and to share it with as many people as possible to enjoy. If I succeed in the industry, that would just be an added bonus. I am sure there will be criticism, but I choose to use the constructive criticism to grow as an artist, and ignore the common conception that you have to have millions of streams to be considered successful.

You’ve released four albums in just a few years—how do you keep the creative fire alive without burning out?

Ehson Hashemian: I definitely take some breaks after making a group of songs or an album. However, going through different hardships in life, I tend to see music as an escape from reality at times, so the better the music I make, the easier it feels to get through the days. I will sometimes just have a song idea come to me that I will work on, but I usually just pick up a guitar and just play with an open mind that there is always still music left to be made.

What do you hope listeners take away from Believe—not just lyrically, but emotionally?

Ehson Hashemian: I hope they will find some relief from any hardship they are going through. I also hope they feel refreshed by the sound that is more organic than the overproduced music that is typically released in the mainstream. Other than that, I also hope they have fun potentially dancing to some of the songs.

Are there any Easter eggs or hidden connections in the lyrics or arrangements that longtime fans might notice?

Ehson Hashemian: Yes, some of the songs have some references to other songs within the album, but very few.

Will we be seeing a tour or live performances to support Believe, and what can fans expect from your stage show?

Ehson Hashemian: I don’t plan on playing live anytime soon. Possibly if things change drastically, but my current mindset is to make music solely as a recording artist.

How do you think your Southern California roots influence the sound or mood of your music today?

Ehson Hashemian: My Southern California roots definitely influence the sound of my music, as the beach has always been a place for me to find inspiration. The typically sunny weather also helps me stay as positive as possible to make uplifting songs. Other than that, growing up with a good group of musician friends in the area definitely helped me learn to listen critically and create my own sound.

If Believe is just the beginning of this next chapter, what’s the next dream or musical direction you’re hoping to pursue?

Ehson Hashemian: I have actually already finished tracking four more albums after the “Believe” album, so I will be gradually releasing more and more music soon. I don’t want to bombard people with too much music at once, so I will probably release an album every year or so. All of my newer work is focused on positivity and being as optimistic as possible, similar to the “Believe” album, but expanding the amount of styles involved. In the future, I hope to delve into even more dance, funk, and jazz oriented music.

OFFICIAL LINKS: http://www.ehsonhashemian.com