I recently had the opportunity to catch up with singer-songwriter, Aud Whitson, and what better way to complement this feature than with a comforting bowl of eggplant curry-a perfect pairing for her introspective and heartfelt music. Check out the recipe below! 

Aud has been immersed in her music her entire life. There are even videos of her as a baby, standing on a makeshift stage, singing before she could talk. Her love of music runs deep. In elementary school, she joined clubs, participated in choir through middle and high school, and eventually moved away from home and pursued music school. Throughout college, she wrote songs in her free time, though she admits her early work wasn’t her best. During the pandemic in 2020, when she was 19, Aud found herself confined indoors and began writing extensively. During this period, she noticed a significant improvement in the quality of her songwriting. 

Most recently, she released her single “Loose Ends“, which she recorded entirely on her phone using voice notes. The vocals and guitar for the entire project were captured in this simple, raw way. Listeners praised Aud’s demos for their unique and magical vibe. Rather than aiming for a polished, overly professional sound, Aud retained the organic essence of her recordings while working with producer Chase Horseman to enhance them subtly. The result is music that feels both intimate and intentional. The quality of her voice note recordings is so remarkable, that it’s hard to believe they weren’t made in a professional studio. 

 

 

A major influence for Aud is Elliott Smith, along with artists like Phoebe Bridgers, whose introspective and emotive styles resonate deeply with her. Her upcoming EP, A House That Can’t Get Quieter, is set to release on February 7, 2025, and will feature four tracks. According to Aud, the EP leans into darker lyrical themes, juxtaposed with warm, colorful instrumentation. She describes it as music perfect for fall and winter seasons- songs that explore cold, desolate times in life but also carry an undercurrent of hopefulness. Aud likens her EP to a warm drink on a chilly day: comforting. Listening to her music feels like a hug during difficult times, and her authenticity shines through in every note. Aud’s single, “Loose Ends“, reminds me of the soundtrack to a reflective drive, sipping on a warm drink, and finding peace in a tough moment. It carries a unique vibe- like the calm after something difficult, peaceful yet tinged with an unspoken sadness. It’s reminiscent of the ending of a movie, where resolution comes after a struggle. When asked to describe grief, she said it’s like “a house that can’t get quieter.” That quietness, while born of loss, carries an eerie serenity. Her music captures this juxtaposition- grief as both a profoundly painful and strangely beautiful emotion rooted in love. Her song, “Loose Ends“, reflects this duality, offering a sense of calm and solace during emotional storms. It’s the kind of music that steadies you while allowing you to process difficult life experiences. Aud’s forthcoming EP, A House That Can’t Get Quieter, extends this idea further. She describes it as a “coming-of-age” record, not in the traditional sense of youth but regarding a second, more challenging phase of adulthood she experienced. It’s about navigating financial hardships, personal losses, and the realities of life that often hit in your 20s and 30s. Through this EP, Aud aims to offer comfort, like a warm drink, meal, or hug for listeners enduring desolate times. Her message is clear: “I know nothing feels okay right now, but you’ll get through this somehow.” It’s the kind of music she needed in recent years, inspired by artists who helped her survive her struggles. Now, she’s paying it forward, creating a space for others to feel seen and supported.

I can’t wait for more of Aud’s heartfelt stories and songs. Be sure to check out her latest single and mark your calendars for her EP release on February 7, 2025, available on all streaming platforms. You won’t want to miss it.

Follow Aud Whitson on Instagram

When it comes to food, Aud is a vegetarian who fully embraces her love for cheese. While she avoids meat, there’s no other food she outright refuses to try. She’s adventurous when it comes to flavors, and her ultimate comfort dish is Eggplant Curry. There’s a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in her hometown called Drunken Noodles that serves her favorite red curry with eggplant. Every time Aud and her partner visit her hometown, it’s the first stop they make. She always asks for extra eggplant because she loves it so much. Eggplant, though polarizing for some, is a favorite of hers—and honestly, I can’t blame her; it’s amazing. Another nostalgic comfort dish for Aud is chicken pot pie. While she doesn’t eat meat anymore, it still reminds her of her childhood.

She also goes through phases of hyper-fixation foods, and her current obsession is stuffed peppers. She’s equally passionate about the tiny cream cheese-filled peppers soaked in oil from Aldi, which she describes as absolutely delicious. Aud’s go-to veggie is Brussels sprouts, a regular part of her cooking routine, and when it comes to snacks, she likes to keep it simple yet a little fancy. She enjoys a good cracker topped with cheese, pepper, or other small, flavorful bites. For desserts, she adores crème brûlée—especially the seasonal variations served at a local restaurant in her city called Merchants Pub and Plate.

For this chilly season, I couldn’t think of a better dish to represent Aud’s tastes than Eggplant Curry. It’s warm, comforting, and full of rich, bold flavors—exactly the kind of dish that brings her comfort. Of course, I’ll be adding extra eggplant as a perfect nod to her favorite way to enjoy it. Check out the recipe below and cozy up with this flavorful dish!

Eggplant Curry Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 medium-sized eggplants (about 1.5 lbs), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • sea salt to taste
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

Directions

  1. Sprinkle a little salt on the eggplant cubes and set aside for 10 minutes. This helps draw out moisture and reduces bitterness. Rinse and pat dry.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the eggplant and sauté until golden and soft for about 7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Add cumin and mustard seeds and sizzle for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the onions and sauté until golden brown.
  5. Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for 2 minutes.
  6. Add turmeric, curry powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, and chili powder. Stir for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  7. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the same pan to cook for about 5 minutes.
  8. Stir in the water.
  9. Return the sautéed eggplant to the pan. Mix well with the tomato mixture and add salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes.
  10. Add two tablespoons of cilantro and coconut milk to simmer for 3 minutes.
  11. Garnish with more fresh cilantro and serve with basmati rice or naan. Enjoy!