The six-track EP features the previously released singles “2 thousand 10” and “Sunlight!,” alongside four brand-new tracks that showcase Elijah’s dynamic artistry. With this project, Woods offers an intimate window into the experiences that have shaped him over the past few years. Seamlessly blending nostalgic pop soundscapes with edgy indie-rock undertones, the EP is a captivating exploration of life’s complexities, wrapped in a sound that’s both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly new. Renowned for his irresistibly catchy melodies, vivid storytelling, and signature crisp production, Woods has established himself as one of pop music’s most compelling solo acts, as well as a highly sought-after collaborator. Amassing over 1 billion streams across his discography, his meteoric rise as an independent artist has been nothing short of extraordinary.
With multiple platinum and gold records, four JUNO Award nominations, and a SOCAN 2022 Pop Award under his belt, Woods is an artist on the brink of global stardom. In 2023, he reached new heights by selling out his first Canadian headline tour, captivating audiences nationwide. This success propelled him onto the international stage earlier this year, where he dazzled fans in major Asian markets like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore. While in Asia, he also opened for Niall Horan in Jakarta and took the stage at the Seoul Jazz Festival alongside artists like Lauv, Jeremy Zucker, and JP Saxe. Most recently, Elijah made his UK debut at BST Hyde Park Festival in London, further solidifying his place as a global phenomenon in the making.
Elijah Woods chats to 1883 about his EP, the importance of authenticity and more.
Hi Elijah, it’s nice to meet you! Before the interview, I looked you up, and I thought I know the mash-up songs you did with all the Taylor Swift songs. This is where I know you from because I saw it on TikTok. When was that? What time did that come out?
That was a while ago, two years ago. In December 2022. And my hair was different. I have blonde hair now. [Laughs]
It looks good! You have an amazing EP coming out soon called “Hey There Elijah!” What was the process of writing it and do how you feel about it being out more quickly?
I’m excited. I think any time that I get the opportunity to move to a new project or a new chapter, it makes me excited. It makes me invigorated for people to hear the news and improves me and this last chapter, was kind of my first chapter, collaborating with a lot of people who I have held in high regard for a very long time. I had the opportunity to work with some of my idols on this project. I hate name-dropping people, but for me, it’s just so cool that they wanted to work with me. I got to work with TMS, who did, “Someone You Love”, by Lewis Capaldi and also Andrew Goldstein, who produced everyone from Sum41 to Blink182 and that’s all the music I grew up with. Specifically, there are four songs that we all did together, not to mention Jackson Lafrantz [Larsen], who did Benson Boone’s, Beautiful Things. Ir was just so weird for me, because I’ve predominantly made music by myself for so long, and then I had people reaching out, being like: “We should write songs together. We should do this.” It was such a cool process because it helped me explore a piece of myself that I didn’t know was there. I think that is reflected in the music too. It’s an evolution from my last projects. The way I sum it up to myself is, this EP and this next chapter of music was a quest for maturity.
The EP is a mix between turning 30 and love and heartbreak. If you could describe the album in three words, what would they be?
I would say a slower pace, emotional and evolutionary.
You recorded the EP in Toronto, where you’re from, right?
Yeah, I’m fortunate. You can see behind me, I’m packing all my stuff right now, and it’s a nightmare. That’s been my life for the last week or two weeks, rather. I packed my studio. But I have a studio here in this place, and we’re in the process of moving to Los Angeles so it’s a lot, it’s a big move, but we’re very excited about that. I recorded the whole project and pretty much everything here. A lot of the songs were written and started in Los Angeles, and then I came back here, and I like to do that with music. I sit with it for a second and see how I feel about it when I’m alone. I think there’s something to be said for songs to speak to you. When nobody’s watching, when you’re alone, what do you listen to and what do you actually like? For me, that was important because I had to sit with it and I got to live with it forever, and I had to make sure that I could perform it and be excited about it.
I feel like there are so many cool artists in LA so it’s a good place for you to be!
Yes, and I can connect with people and also for the sunshine, honestly, that’s it. You are in London, right? So you guys have it worse than we do, but there’s actual sun here today, but in the winter in Toronto, it’s so sad. There’s just no sun, and it’s cold, and everyone’s bundled up and miserable, and they stay inside. I can’t do it again. I’m over it.
Yeah, I can imagine. I mean, to be honest, the weather in London has been amazing the last few weeks. But in the winter, it’s going to be horrible, so I’m going to try to escape the winter a little bit. There are so many amazing artists in LA. Who do you look up to musically, and who would you want to work with?
My dream collaboration isn’t a specific one. I look at artists like Dominic Fike, and I look at people doing something that just doesn’t necessarily fit the normal. I love what artists like Benson Boone are doing right now. He’s taking sort of pop music and being like: “Let’s make a rock album and let’s do something a little bit different.” For me, it’s kind of ever-changing. If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said people like TMS and people like Andrew Goldstein. Now I’ve had the opportunity to work with them as songwriters and as professionals, and they’re incredible. I think the piece that I’m the most excited about being there is just being sort of accessible. I think every time I go for trips, they’re always two to three weeks long and then at the end, you’re in a really good flow, and then you’re like: “Oh, I got to leave and then I got to go home.” I think being there and having a studio and being sort of set up will be, it’ll be a really, solid move for me. Yeah, I’m trying to think like, I feel like I’ve been so disconnected from making music after I finished this, this like the project, I always try to take like, a mental break after I just, like, finish up a project, and I’ve been like, out of the loop. I’ve been just literally moving for the last two weeks. It’s nice because I just feel like I’m so disconnected from everything, but then I just like, I feel like I need to get back into the swing of things as soon as I get there.
Do you know the band LANY? You look so much like Paul with the blonde hair!
It’s so insane. I booked my appointments. We have, like, these moments, he doesn’t even know who I am, but we have these meiosis thing going on wherever it’s like, I booked my hair appointment and I bleached my hair. When I booked it, I saw on Instagram that he bleached his hair. I’m like: « Bro, are you kidding me? Like, we do all the same stuff. » They announced some projects a couple of months ago. Or no, actually, no. The weirdest one was, is he got hit by a car recently. Oh, and really, it was crazy. I was looking at all his posts and I’m a huge fan and everything and he got hit by a car. And the day he got hit by a car, I almost got into a serious car accident. We have this weird star-crossed connection.
That’s so crazy! It’ll be cool to have a track of you guys together. I love them as well. I saw them two years ago when they were in London, but they’re just everywhere, but not in London, which is annoying. But when I saw you, I thought you looked so much like him with blonde hair, which is crazy.
I get that a lot! [Laughs]
When you think back on writing the EP, what do you think is your favourite song that you’ve written, and your favourite lyrics as well?
That’s kind of a twofold question. It’s a weird one. To be honest, this EP was meant to be an album. I wrote it as an album, with 12 to 15 songs, but we ended up chopping it in half and making it two separate projects. I felt like there were two halves of my brain in this project, and as an album, it didn’t exactly convey what I wanted to say as a whole. However, I love all the music individually. So, we are putting out the first half called Hey There Elijah next Friday, and then another EP, which is the back half of it, at the end of October.
One of my favourite lyrics is from a song on the back half called “Mr. Moon.” It’s not even the best song or anything, but I love this lyric so much: “And I’m praying a bruise on a peach doesn’t change the way that you view how it tastes.” I love how specific and seemingly trivial it is, yet it’s amazing. It’s about cherishing something even when it gets a little damaged and recognizing its beauty remains the same.
From the front end of this project, there are so many songs I care about and love. I think the song “Sunlight,” which I released a couple of weeks ago, embodies the whole project for me. It was a shedding-my-skin moment, where I felt I needed a change in my life and needed to do something different. This project is about exploring a new chapter of myself and figuring out the next step. “Sunlight” speaks volumes about the project.
Then there’s “January’s Eyes,” which is really cool and Ivy-like. It started as a demo and ended up being this amazing chorus moment. It’s tough picking a favourite because it changes daily. It’s like asking parents who their favourite child is; it varies day by day. That’s how I feel about my songs.
Do you have a certain process that you follow when you write songs?
I’m not specific, but I think I’m always melody first. Generally, I think of the concept and then the melody. I usually start on the guitar, especially lately. In the last year and a half or so, I’ll start strumming some chords and looking for a concept that works. I’m constantly writing stuff down on my phone, noting things I notice or how I feel, almost like an active journal. When I sit down to write a song, I’ll see if something jumps out at me, then start humming melodies to see what works. If the song is good, I take it into the studio, produce it, and try to do something that excites me. Now that I’m explaining it, that’s literally my process every time.
When you think back on when you first started making music, and where you are now, how do you think you have grown as an artist and musician, and what has changed?
When I first started putting out music as a solo artist, I had already been fortunate to do this for a long time. I had been putting out music and DJing, and ghost-producing for a bunch of artists. I’m so fortunate to have been able to do this for so long. I’m 30 years old and never had a real job. I left school and got hired to do ghost production for a few Swedish acts.
So, you’re the producer, but no one knows you’re the producer?
Artist: Yeah, exactly. It’s pretty predominant in dance music. It used to be more common, but now it’s a bit more transparent because people can see the credits online. Basically, I’d get a brief saying, “This person needs a song with this kind of thing and vocal,” and I’d make it. They’d send me money, and I’d send them the song. No credits, no royalties for that. I did that for a while and thought it was cool, making $2,000 a song at 18 years old. But I got tired of it because it was one-dimensional. Then I started making pop music and producing for other artists. This led me down a new path, and now this is the next evolution. I never thought I’d be a singer or anything. The growth in my music and where I am now versus then is that I’m prepared for anything. I love creating and learning. I never thought I’d be at the front of the stage singing love songs. Now that it’s happening, it’s so cool. I’m enjoying the ride and looking for things that inspire me.
What’s your favourite thing about going on tour?
Trying new food. I’m a foodie. Outside of the actual music, I love experiencing the culture as much as possible and enjoying local food. I just did my first tour in Asia this spring. It sold out in four days, with 14 dates across 12 countries. It was insane. I couldn’t believe anyone cared. Experiencing the whole thing was wild. My takeaway was how wild it is to create something bigger than you. Seeing people sing songs I made in my bedroom is amazing. It’s my favourite part, watching people experience the music for themselves. It’s so cool.
Yeah, creating something bigger than you is interesting. I spoke to another musician who said the most rewarding thing is creating something that lives on. He talked about how it helped him with his mental health. What is the biggest feedback you’ve gotten from a fan that made you think, “This is why I’m doing what I’m doing”?
The biggest feedback I’ve gotten was after I put out a song about my older brother who passed away in a car accident. It was so cathartic and literal, specific to my experience. It took me five to seven years to write. I perform it occasionally live. Watching people experience that song and seeing what it means to them, even though it’s so specific, is profound. My biggest takeaway is that many people have a similar experience or feeling about someone in their life. It made me feel comforted that such a literal song to me could be interpreted in so many ways by others. The fact that people can say, “This helped me get through this” or “This helped me understand the death of a loved one,” is powerful. That’s the beauty of music—being real and vulnerable, and having others see themselves in it.
Yeah, because everyone takes something different away from every song. What’s the best advice that you’ve ever gotten in your career, in your music? So it can be, referring to your career, but also about your personal life?
If you asked me six months ago, I might have said something about being yourself and always trusting yourself. I think my latest iteration is along those lines, even though it’s a bit cliché. There’s a lot of noise as an artist and as a human being. Rather than just “being yourself,” it’s more about trusting yourself and what you feel in your gut. What’s so cool about music and being a human in 2024 is that you can be anything you want, especially with the internet and TikTok. The most interesting people today are unapologetically themselves.
Look at people like Jake Shane—back in 2000, I don’t know that he would have been what he is now, but he’s a big superstar, and I love watching him. He’s so funny and culturally involved, simply because he’s so himself. Now, you can have a platform for that authenticity. The only thing that makes you unique as a human being is sticking to that gut sense of who you are.
Part of writing this project was about regaining that for myself. I had lost it by trying to cater to other people’s needs and what I thought they wanted from me. Writing this project was me exploring and finding my autonomy, confidence, and voice again. With a lot of therapy and self-work, I’ve reached a point where I trust myself and my opinion. Even if nobody else likes it, I do, and that’s the point. So, the simple answer is: trust yourself, trust what feels good, and don’t negate that.
Yeah, that’s very, very wise as well. And I feel like everyone always says that it’s true. They all just learn throughout the keyword to be themselves, to trust themselves, also to fail as yourself, one really interesting thing I learned is that just be yourself, because if you fail, then you can say you failed as yourself, and you didn’t pretend to be anyone other than yourself.
Absolutely. I’m a huge believer that failures aren’t what everyone thinks they are. They’re not about something sucking and being terrible or labeling you as a failure. It’s more about that thing not working out so something better can happen. I’m an optimistic person and believe in the law of attraction. I’ve had so many failures in my life, but I’m exactly where I want to be. I’ve had failed relationships, business encounters that didn’t work out, and things that went sour, but I wouldn’t be here today without those experiences. I think everything is meant to be in some way.
I agree. I also believe the universe doesn’t take without giving. When something doesn’t work out, it’s easy to wonder why, but then something better for you and your life comes along. Speaking of social media and TikTok, you’re big on TikTok—that’s how I discovered you. So, how’s your relationship with social media?
It’s like a toxic but grateful relationship. If you’ve ever been in a high-stakes relationship where everything is amazing, and then one little thing goes wrong, it feels terrible. That’s how I feel about social media. I try to keep it even-keeled, treating it like a business where I show up every day with something to give and something I need. It’s exhausting, but I feel fortunate because it’s a tool I can use. My career is based on the internet, and I respect that. As it scales and grows, I feel like a hamster on a wheel, constantly churning out content to stay visible.
Recently, I took a moment to reflect on my posting habits and became more mindful about what, when, and why I was posting. It’s been great for my mental health. I think there are seasons to it—social media is a tool we need to use, and I’m very grateful for it. I go through waves with it. At the end of the day, anyone who complains about it should remember that they don’t have to use it. If you feel like a slave to it, you’re probably not doing what you like. You don’t have to be on there, so just don’t. I’m grateful for social media but very aware of its mental impact on me.
Yeah, I think it’s important to take a break from social media sometimes because I’m also really addicted to TikTok, which is bad. But, if you use it to discover new musicians or books, it can be good. Still, sometimes I just scroll mindlessly and need to stop. When I put my phone away, I don’t even miss it. Many musicians blow up on TikTok and then get a record deal. But doing it yourself without a social media manager must be tough.
I actually do have a social media manager, and she’s amazing. But even with her help, the beauty of social media in 2024 isn’t just about putting out a high volume of content. It’s about connecting with people in a vulnerable and authentic way. The best content comes when I’m fully immersed and involved. If you’re following someone for their cooking tutorials, for instance, you don’t want to see generic content; you want to see who they are as a person. That’s what makes people fall in love with you. So, even with a social media manager, the best stuff happens when I’m personally engaged.
People want to see someone relatable. You probably know Emma Chamberlain, right? I love her. She started off being super relatable, and even though she now lives in LA and might seem less relatable to some, she still has a loyal audience.
Yes! Have you seen her Architectural Digest feature?
Her house? Yes! I love it!
Her house is incredible. We’re in the process of moving to a place in Los Angeles, and I just want my house to look like hers.
I still find her very relatable because, even though not everyone can relate to being a millionaire at 22 or 23, she remains humble. You can just see it in the way she carries herself. That’s why people keep supporting her. She deserves the fame and everything that comes with it because she worked for it. I don’t know her personally, but she feels like a best friend. [Laughs]
Absolutely, it’s great to see good people succeed. Someone once told me a story about Mick Jagger. He’s one of the greatest rock stars of our time, but if Mick Jagger snaps his fingers and asks for a Diet Coke, he gets a Diet Coke immediately. That’s not how most people experience life, so it’s hard for him to be relatable. This story was about him being rude and abrupt, but you can’t expect him to act like a regular person when his world is so different. If you could snap your fingers and get anything, you’d do it too. It’s not disrespectful; it’s just his reality.
Exactly. It’s not always about relating to people but appreciating their humility and how they handle what they have without bragging. I noticed this a lot at Fashion Week. There are many influencers who get invited to shows because of their following, but I wonder if they make any real difference in the world. I question if I make a difference, too. When you create, there’s always an existential crisis about whether you’re making an impact. I just love humble people.
I’m with you. I used to think about making a difference globally, wondering if my music was impacting people or changing the world. Now, I think about it on a personal level. For example, if the song I wrote about my brother helps one person, I’ve done my job. If one person sees this interview and feels seen, that’s cool. It’s more rewarding than money or fame. Making someone feel better or seen is what truly matters.
When I listened to your Taylor Swift mashup, I thought it was so cool and creative. It really stood out!
That’s funny because I actually wrote that song just for fun. It was a very nonchalant thing, and then it just blew up on the internet. People started asking for it to be released, and I wasn’t planning on putting it out. But then they were like, “We’ll kill you if you don’t release it!” So I thought, okay, I guess I’m putting out this Taylor Swift mashup. And it’s been great; it connected us, and I’m really glad it did, but it’s funny how things work out in the universe.
Yeah, it’s crazy how the internet can be used for good things, but I guess it needs to be approached with balance and enjoyed from a distance.
Exactly. It’s all about finding that balance.
What’s your relationship with fashion like? I think music and fashion go hand in hand, especially when you perform or wear certain outfits. Fashion seems like a big part of LA too—it’s such a fashion-forward city. Have you noticed that?
LA’s interesting because there are pockets where people are incredibly well-dressed, and then there are other areas where it’s kind of the opposite. Just because you have money doesn’t mean you know how to dress, right? I’m not the best-dressed person, but sometimes it’s just baffling. For example, you’ll see someone wearing a Birkin bag and other high-end items thrown together, but it doesn’t look good because it’s not styled well. I feel like in New York, even if people are wearing extravagant outfits, there’s a certain thoughtfulness behind it, and it feels put together. LA fashion can feel a little more, like, thrown together just because it’s expensive.
That’s true. LA is definitely a different vibe compared to places like New York, where the wealth is there, but it feels like people know how to use it in a more intentional way.
Yeah, exactly. For me, fashion has always been something I’ve been aware of, but I haven’t always figured out my style. Over the last couple of years, I’ve started paying more attention to it and giving it more energy. It’s about wearing outfits that make me feel good and comfortable. I think, for me, fashion is about finding what fits the season. For example, in summer, I’ll wear a muscle shirt and a sweater or something casual, but I like dressing it up or down. I also relate it to my music. I think, “This kind of look makes sense for the music I’m about to put out.” Fashion is an extension of my expression—it’s the reflection of what’s inside on the outside.
I love that perspective. So, your style is really connected to your music?
Yes, definitely. It’s about making those connections between what I wear and the kind of music I create. And I’m always looking for inspiration. My wife is super dialled into fashion, and my brother-in-law in New York is always sending me updates on the latest trends. He’s the kind of guy who’s waiting in line every day for the newest drops, and I love that. I get to take pieces of what I like from them and make it my own. I wouldn’t say I’m super daring, though. I’m more into classic styles that always look good, rather than jumping on the latest trend of the moment.
And lastly, what is something that you want to be remembered for? Not just as an artist, but also as a person?
As a person, I think I’d like to be remembered for the little things I contributed to the people I love and for the way I could make situations better just by being there. I think that’s a good legacy to have—people remembering how I made them feel, or how I helped in a small, personal way. I’m definitely someone who is outwardly empathetic and always wants to fix things, which can be tough sometimes, but I want to be remembered as a good friend, someone who was there for the people I care about.
Are you a water sign?
Yeah, I’m a Pisces.
No way, me too! I love being a Pisces, but I also hate it sometimes.
Yeah, exactly! It’s great and terrible. We feel everything so deeply, and I just want to fix everything, but if I can’t, I don’t feel adequate. That’s definitely something I struggle with. But at the end of the day, I’d love to be remembered for being a good person and a good friend.
Musically, my goal is to create something that lasts—something that stands the test of time. I don’t want to make just the biggest hit of tomorrow; I want to make something that’s still relevant in 20 years. If you look at someone like Bruce Springsteen, he never had a number one hit, but he’s one of the most decorated artists of all time. I think that’s amazing. I love Fleetwood Mac for the same reason—they’ve had hits, but their music just endures.
Absolutely. So, what’s next for you? Other than the EP release, of course. Anything else you can tell us about?
A lot is coming in the next couple of months. I’ve got about 12 songs coming out in the next two months, which I’m really excited about. That’ll wrap up this chapter of my musical journey, and then I’m moving to a new place on October 1st, which is a big one for me. I also have some upcoming tour dates and festivals this fall, and then more North American shows next year. We’re planning some tours in Asia next spring and summer, too. It’s a lot to look forward to.
For me, it’s all about going with the flow. I love making music and just letting things unfold. I think it was John Mayer who said that he loves planning only two months in advance because things change so quickly. That’s kind of where my head’s been at for a while now. As things get bigger, the planning has to stretch out to a year, which I’m not a fan of because I don’t even know who I’m going to be in a year, you know?
I feel that! I don’t even plan my week. I just let whatever happens, happen. [laughs] It was so nice to meet you, and I hope you’re excited for this interview to come out. Best of luck with the move and everything else. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for you.
Thank you so much! I’m super flattered that you wanted to have this conversation. It was a pleasure chatting with you.
Interview Maja Bebber
Photography George Pimentel
