Elijah Ford is a California native turned Austin-based musician, songwriter and producer, who began his solo career after breaking from touring with Oscar and Grammy award winning musician Ryan Bingham. Ford put out his first solo record Upon Waking in 2011, and an EP called Ashes in October of 2012. After spending the last two years touring Europe & the U.S., Elijah and his band, The Bloom, released a new full length album called As You Were on September 16th.
Elijah is no stranger to industry, as both of his parents have been life-long musicians. Elijah Ford is the son of former Black Crowes’ guitar heavyweight Marc Ford, and toured as part of Ford Sr’s Fuzz Machine at the age of 17, before getting the gig with Bingham, where he stayed until 2012. The younger Ford has surely taken some valuable rock n’ roll notes from his father, but has also put together a sound that’s completely his own.
The new album, entitled As You Were, was recorded at Austin’s legendary Arlyn Studios. Produced by Stew Jackson (Massive Attack, Phantom Limb) and engineered by Jacob Sciba (Gary Clark Jr., Willie Nelson), it pushes the pop-rock sound of the Ashes EP into groovier, more hook-filled heights. Joined on bass by Jesse Ebaugh (Heartless Bastards) & guitar by Ricky Ray Jackson (Phosphorescent, The Happen-Ins), The Bloom has crafted a concise, powerful slab of rock n’ roll with honest and direct songwriting.
In this interview spotlight, we speak with Elijah about the newest release, influences and more.
Full Q&A, links and streams can be found below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
I’m from Austin TX by way of Southern California – I’ve spent the last 8 years in ATX soaking up the thick mix of rock/pop/indie that has congealed here.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?
I don’t see it as one path vs another.. It’s following a sound, a song – whatever is inspiring you at the time. All of my favorites danced between genres – no limits. Growing up in a house full of music showed me that this was a possible way to live, and once I started its been the only option. The fact that I get something out of it every time I play a show or write a song is motivation enough.
Who or what are your biggest inflences when it comes to your creativity?
Traveling is a big influence on my creativity – a new place, new people, new architecture, new culture. I’m writing this from Paris as I just started the release tour for As You Were / Project ATX6 – I love Europe more every time. If you can’t write anything in Paris then you’re probably not a writer.
How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?
This record is a step forward in every way – I made an effort to be more concise and distill the ideas. Trim the fat. Don’t bore us get to the chorus. Involving Chris Konte & Alexander Lynch in the writing process made my tendency for compositional left turns more streamlined.
Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?
The digital age allows a record I made in Austin to be listened to in Sweden or Japan – that’s simply incredible. The challenge is turning that into money to pay for the tour to get to Sweden or Japan. Music has been devalued in our modern streaming era, but there’s no evidence that it means any less to people. It’s part of the fabric of our lives, but I don’t think everyone who needs music is aware of what it requires to create.
How do you feel about streaming services? Any romantic attachments to the physical formats: vinyl, 8-track, cassettes, CDs?
On one hand it’s amazing to have the entire recorded history of music in your pocket at all times, and on the other, no-one is getting paid for it. The business model is not up to speed with the market.
I buy vinyl whenever possible – buying the physical format is what helps your favorite bands continue. Holding a record in your hand is romantic – the artwork, the liner notes invite you in and help you to understand what went into making it. I’d love to make vinyl of As You Were, but right now the money is better spent getting out on the road.
Where can we follow you online and hear more music?
We’re touring all over the place for –As You Were– over the next 6 months. You can follow along on Facebook / BandsInTown and www.elijahfordmusic.com – all of my records (except for my live album) are on streaming services because I want people to enjoy the work we’re doing – if you like it, order a CD or come out to a show!
Anything else before we sign off?
I’m playing duo shows with Andy Bianculli this fall and you need to check out his record – one of my favorites this year. Artist: Star Parks / Title: Don’t Dwell
