A Dirty Dozen with ELOAH JONES – November 2021

Photo credit: Libby Danforth

According to a recent press release: “Nashville-based indie-pop singer-songwriter Eloah Jones releases a new single, “Under the Bridge,” today, November 19, 2021, via Rock Ridge Music. The single, a jazzy, hypnotic, ethereal-pop cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ hit, is from her forthcoming self-titled EP, which will be released in early 2022. Even at 21, Jones can claim veteran industry status, having started singing and acting at age 11 in small-town Texas, “where no one was really doing what I was doing,” she recalls. “I’ve always loved to write, little poems, but I was about 14 when I started turning my words into lyrics.” Around that time, connections she’d made as a kid at a Florida talent showcase yielded introductions to influential people in the industry including Matt Bronleewe (Jars of Clay, Hayley Williams) who produced her first original single, “Soldier.” At a certain point, an artist must decide whether or not they’re going to be all-in, and Jones packed up and headed to Nashville, where she now resides, writes, and records.” We get Eloah to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

My latest releases are my cover of “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and my single, “Dancing on My Own.” If you really listen to the song, you’ll see it’s just about female empowerment. And I talk a little bit in the lyrics about things I’ve personally gone through or seen other women go through.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve always loved to write ever since I was little. I loved to write poems. And actually the way I still write some of my music today is by starting with a poem. I think what inspired me to become a musician and then turn my words into lyrics was listening to my favorite artists back then and thinking, “I could do that!” My dad was also a musician back in his day, so he inspired me a lot, too.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

My favorite artist of all time is Banks. I’ve listened to her for years. And she’s the main artist who inspired me to go for it. I absolutely love her. I’m not the fan girl type, but if I ever met her, I’d probably faint.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

Banks, because she’s my favorite. And I love her writing style. I think I could learn a lot about writing by getting to work with her. The way she writes is so interesting to me!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I like to be active. Go outside. I love being by the water. I also really love cooking and baking. I definitely get that from my mother. I also have a lot of houseplants that I love taking care of.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

My music is definitely pop. But I think my music has some darkness to it too. Some influences would be Halsey, Bebe Rexha, and Astrid S.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Usually, it’s just me and my producer, Aaron Bonus. And maybe some co-writers. Aaron is usually the first to get a melody going that I can put my lyrics to.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

In 2019, when I saw Banks live for my birthday. I was front row center stage. She was amazing!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part about being a musician is getting to let out my secrets through my lyrics. It’s very therapeutic to me. There are a lot of other things that interest me. If I wasn’t a musician, my dream job would probably be something with interior design. I love homes, especially vintage homes. I would also love to do something with plants.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I would love for interviewers to ask more about the struggles I’ve gone through in life. I think the hardships people go through make people who they are.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I definitely have done things in the past that I wouldn’t do now. In the past, I definitely put out a song or two that I wasn’t 100% proud of. But making mistakes is a part of being a human. It’s a learning experience. I’m still figuring out who I am as a person and as an artist.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

I would probably go back in time to sit in on a KISS session, only because they were one of my dad’s favorite bands back in the day. Then I would come back to the future and tell my dad all about it. Ha ha!

ELOAH JONES LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

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INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews