How elijah woods Went on a Journey of Self-Discovery With His Hey There Elijah EP
Canadian singer-songwriter and producer elijah woods has been rapidly on the rise, and with more than a billion streams to his name, there's no denying his star power.
Today, Sep. 27, he released his latest EP, Hey There Elijah, serving as a window into the artist's life over the last year and a half. Its six tracks tell a personal tale of elijah's journey of self-discovery and finding maturity leading up to turning 30, showcasing his versatile and dynamic sound via his own nostalgic and dreamy brand of indie pop. We had the pleasure of catching up with elijah to learn more about the EP and its story in the interview below.
Sweety High: What does the EP name Hey There Elijah mean to you? Why did that line from "Elijah Wood" feel like the perfect summation of this group of songs?
elijah woods: Honestly, that song was the starting point for the whole project. It began with the question, "Would you want to live a different life if you could?" It sparked this existential journey of uncertainty but also self-discovery. Ultimately, this EP is my quest to understand myself and to embrace a new chapter of maturity.
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
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SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the EP? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?
EW: This project feels more mature than my previous work, both sonically and thematically. It took me down a path of deep self-exploration, more so than many of my past releases. I see Hey There Elijah as a really interesting and significant chapter in my career. As an artist, I think it's so important to explore different sounds and feelings in my music, and I hope fans are able to appreciate this season in my musical journey. I really hope listeners love the EP as much as I do!
SH: How would you describe the EP's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?
EW: With this EP, I wanted to create something that lived in a different sonic space from my previous work. I wasn't aiming to reinvent the wheel, but I wanted to delve into creating something that felt new and exciting to me. I'm a producer first and foremost—and I've been a producer for a lot longer than I've been a singer—so I was excited to work with a new sonic palette. For the songs on this EP, I brought in more live drums and electric guitars, leaning into the punk, pop-punk and hardcore sounds I grew up with. At the same time, the songs are still fun and have a sense of levity, which was just as important to capture.
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you all are in life right now?
EW: These songs are snapshots of what I've been through over the last year and a half. To be honest, I feel like I'm in a completely different place now, but these songs capture what I was feeling and thinking when I wrote them. What's exciting for me is rediscovering these tracks with a fresh perspective and remembering where I was when I made them. It's like hearing them as a fan—it's rewarding to revisit those emotions and experiences.
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SH: What's your favorite song on the EP? Why?
EW: That's a good question! My favorite changes daily, but right now, I'd say "Sunlight!" It's a track that feels really uplifting and exciting to me. When I finished it, I felt like I'd truly accomplished what I set out to do. It's positive and optimistic without being too heavy, which I love.
SH: How do you feel you've grown as an artist since bright orange everglow?
EW: bright orange everglow was a warm, laidback project, centered around love and looking forward to the future with my now wife. Hey There Elijah, on the other hand, taps into a bit more angst. This past year has been amazing but also weird and challenging, and the EP reflects that. I also wanted to create more music that would come alive in a live setting, and I think this EP really achieves that. Each project is like a new chapter, reflecting my evolution as both an artist and a person.
(Photo credit: George Pimentel)
SH: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
EW: I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who listens to my music. Being able to share my feelings and perform is something I never take for granted. Thank you for your time, for listening, and for being part of this journey with me. I love and appreciate you so much!
For more insights from our favorite artists on their new music, click HERE to read our interview with Mitchell Tenpenny on his new album, The 3rd.