Elijah Woods, better known by his viral single “24/7, 365,” is just documenting his life, and it somehow garnered over 200 million streams on Spotify alone. First discovered by Music Daily in 2022 with the happy pop of “ilu,” the Perth-born artist successfully traded dancefloor zingers for a (successful) soft pop sound up the sleeve of Selena Gomez, only achievable by a music-first savant who looks past current radio trends, instead learning The Beatles, Jeff Buckley, Fleetwood Mac, Mazzy Star and other decades-past juggernauts.
Years after his 2021 solo debut and a few platinum records later, his catchy melodies landed him four JUNO Award nominations and a SOCAN Pop Award. His signature crisp production is tinged with a signature “Woods” guitar flare that most times leans toward the feel-good acoustic a la “everything everywhere always” but has some insane electric saves, especially on Woods’s March EP, Silver Lining, and his newer release, “2 thousand 10.” The July single blends nostalgic pop with early 2000s rock, with his pen game reflecting on the simplicity of childhood, capturing the essence of youthful freedom.
Music Daily sat down with Woods before his sold-out tour in Asia, where he performed in cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, and opened for ex-One Direction member Niall Horan, which was (supposed to be) one of Elijah’s “impossible” 2024 goals he wrote during his many new-year journalings. Ahead, Elijah talks about his then-Asia tour resolutions, March’s “best-friend breakup energy” EP, and his new “teenage angst” sound for upcoming music, first previewed on July’s “2 thousand 10.” Watch and read below!
Andres Fabris: I realized that this will be your first time in Asia, and you’re going on around ten dates. Are you more nervous or excited about this trek?
Elijah Woods: Oh, I’m so excited [for the Asia tour.] I mean, outside of the music thing, I’m selfishly excited because Asian food is just my favorite. Anything from Cantonese to sushi, I’m absolutely in love with all the cuisines. So, this is a perfect excuse to go on a huge food-tasting tour. But beyond that, I can’t believe that the music I made in my bedroom in Toronto, Canada, is reacting so strongly there. People have sent so many amazing messages just connecting with the music, and it’s surreal. I think until I’m there, I’m a little wary. I don’t know what it’s going to be like or anything because it doesn’t feel real. Do you know what I mean? It’s like numbers on a screen or people through a cell phone. It’s not the same as seeing somebody at a show screaming their head off, which hopefully will happen.
Andres Fabris: You mentioned that you really love Asian food. Is there any other specific food you love? I recently visited an Asian market and bought a bunch of Korean ramen noodles—they’re unbelievably delicious.
Elijah Woods: I could live off ramen; I mean, I did for a couple of years. So, check that box. I love ramen, Thai food, stir fry, curry and katsu. There’s a great restaurant across the street from me that makes Chinese food from Guangzhou. They make incredible dishes, things seared in duck fat. But other than that, my favorite food in the world is sushi.
Andres Fabris: I did some research, and Music Daily first discovered you two years ago with your songs “ilu” and “someone new.” Since then, you’ve grown artistically with EPs and singles. Can you catch us up to speed on where you are now and how much you’ve grown?
Elijah Woods: I’ve just been releasing these songs the last couple of years and watching them grow and become something greater than me. It’s so strange. These songs are so personal and so literal that I’m like, “I don’t know how anyone is going to relate to this because it’s just my story.” But to be able to connect with people and voice things that not a lot of people talk about, it’s really cool.
Andres Fabris: I read that your new [Silver Lining] EP is about processing the grief over losing a friend. Did you feel that making this record was a cathartic experience for you?
Elijah Woods: Definitely! Most of my music is cathartic, whether I’m writing about falling in love with my wife, meeting someone new, or just having a good time. I always try to write from an authentic place. That’s where this project came from. I was going through—and have been going through—a battle with losing someone really close to me. Writing about it was my only outlet. I wrote probably 20-30 songs to process this. Looking back, it was me literally going through the stages of grief. “Second Guessing,” Losing A Friend” and “Silver Lining” emotionally chronicle this journey in a vulnerable way like nothing I’ve released before.
Andres Fabris: Out of the three tracks on the EP, was there a song that was especially hard to write or emotionally challenging to complete?
Elijah Woods: All three of them had different challenges. I think “Second Guessing” was the toughest; I started it back in September 2023, and it took me a while to come to grips with what it was about because I was so fresh into this best-friend breakup energy. I was angry, upset and confused. But as I processed it, I realized I wrote the EP in chronological order without even thinking about it. “Losing a Friend” was probably the most emotionally tough, though. That’s the toughest part of losing someone—just accepting that it’s over and trying to move on, even though you never really have answers, just their truth and yours.
Andres Fabris: The track “Losing a Friend” was my favorite off the EP, especially with its slow build of drums and guitars in the second chorus. Do you see yourself exploring more sounds like this in future projects?
Elijah Woods: That’s the natural progression for me. I started as a DJ and producer, so sonic choices are always where I get excited about a project. My last EP, Bright Orange Ever Glow, had a folky, country vibe. But for upcoming projects, I’m excited about something nostalgic and authentic to my childhood. I’m a child of the early 2000s and the ’90s, so I’m incorporating a lot of that into my music. Think Sixpence None the Richer or Mazzy Star, that ’90s energy. There will be a bit of grunge, teenage angst, more electric guitars—that’s the next chapter for me.
Next week, the conversation with Elijah Woods continues, so don’t go anywhere. Check out more stories on Music Daily!
