There’s a quiet confidence running through Home is West’s latest EP, Echoes of Hope—a record that leans into reflection without losing its sense of movement. Across these new songs, the band stretches its sound into more layered, introspective territory while still holding onto the melodic core that’s defined their work with Mint 400 Records. Reuniting with longtime collaborator Geoff Neal, the EP feels both deliberate and unguarded, built from lived experiences and an instinct to push past familiar boundaries. In this conversation, Home is West digs into the balance between simplicity and depth in songwriting, the challenge of staying inspired, and how Echoes of Hope became a document of self-awareness, fleeting moments, and trying to hold onto something steady when everything else feels uncertain.
Q: In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”?
Keeping it simple with catchy melodies, harmonies, and relatable, meaningful lyrics.
Q: What is the basis for writing attention-grabbing music in this day and age?
Set the vibe or mood of the song early on to combat our ever-decreasing attention spans. Grow the song from there. When I listen to music, I first zone out the lyrics and pay attention to the overall composition. I know a lot of people focus on the lyrics first. No right or wrong either way.
Q: Can you pinpoint some specific songs and songwriters that changed the way you write music?
There aren’t specific songs or songwriters that necessarily changed the way I write music. My writing has evolved throughout the years, influenced by many artists across all genres.
Q: Do you find it hard to be inspired by your peers? Can you name any new artists you find inspiring?
If we are talking about music, yes, I do find it hard to be inspired by my peers. Man, that sounds like a narcissistic response… I admire many of my peers who are out there writing and playing great music. Writing songs for me is inspired by life experiences.
Q: For your new album, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe?
Our new EP was inspired by recent experiences and focusing on being self-aware. The song “Devil’s Land” tells a story about a run-in I had with a preacher when I was on vacation with my family in the Georgia mountains. “Room 333” is about being present for a loved one who is navigating a very difficult time in their life. “Between Storms” is about slowing down and really taking in those special moments in life. Finally, “Empty Summer” is about checking in on yourself during times of uncertainty and chaos. This EP is different from what we have done in the past. The album title, Echoes of Hope, is about not losing our way through tough times.
Q: Do you find that you ruminate over writing songs and hold on to them for a long time before including them on a record? Or do you prefer to write them, release them, and be done with them? Do you ever re-visit old material to do a re-write, or once it’s done, it’s done?
Both. There are times where I think I just came up with the best guitar riff ever, but when I attempt to piece it together, it just doesn’t sound right. The riff will be placed on the shelf… and I’m running out of room. I often get a melody stuck in my head (usually at 3 a.m.), forcing me to get up and hum it into my phone so that I don’t forget it. There are times where I thought I could remember it, but when I woke up, it was lost forever. Our song “The Moment,” off our first album with Mint 400 Records, is a perfect example of a melody that got stuck in my head where I needed to record it immediately. Other times, I just mess around with my guitar for a couple of hours, and every once in a while something sticks.
Q: Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for your current release that you will take with you into your next project?
Recording is hard work, whether at home or at a pro studio. I tend to get anxiety during the recording process. I know the song inside and out, but the moment the recording light goes on, it’s like I forgot how to play guitar… anyone else suffering from this ailment??? For recordings, be prepared, take notes, and don’t be afraid to push the limits or try something new. You live once—recordings last forever!