Elijah woods

by Laura Roveda | Dec 12, 2025

How does one go from dreaming of following in the footsteps of his performing family to becoming an international internet musical sensation? Well, meet elijah woods. His journey includes winning a national television series, focusing on music production and writing, a monumental career pivot which led him to teaching himself how to sing, an indescribable […]

Perhaps answering our initial question isn’t as straightforward as you expected. However, this rising star’s story is worth a listen. Over his eight years in the industry, the Canadian singer-songwriter went from a small town in Ontario to performing sold out shows from North America to Asia. Now, with his debut solo album Can We Talk?, it is clear that the road is only starting for elijah woods.

Coming from a ‘hippy-esque’ family where he grew up without a television, it is a curious coincidence to almost share a name with an iconic Tolkienian actor. An additional ‘s’ written at the end of a word is easy to skim over, but this costly letter is what, on paper, sets apart the two. Off the paper though, the namesakes could not be more dissimilar and with this album, the listeners are gifted with a 34 minute insight window into what it feels like to be elijah woods.

When it comes to the concept behind the album, ‘Can We Talk?’ is about trying to “bridge the gap” in relationships. Whether it is having uncomfortable conversations with your loved ones, or the unavoidable realisation that you have to be truthful with yourself, this album encapsulates the profoundness three words can carry: Can We Talk?

His name is synonymous with heartfelt lyrics and melodic production, but what truly sets woods apart is his unique ability of making the personal feel universal. Consequently, it’s not a surprise to see that such a large part of his fanbase is from countries so far away from his home. But hand in hand with sentimental lyrics comes balancing mental health, overcoming personal struggles and making space grow as an individual and an artist.

In an exclusive interview with Lewis Magazine, elijah woods opens up about the creative process for his solo album, his overseas fanbase and his rise to success.

elijah, you come from a musically inclined family, with relatives who partook in bands and performed throughout your childhood, right? In what ways do you believe your family has inspired the music you make today?

Yeah, totally. My family was always playing music around the house when I was growing up. I was surrounded by people who genuinely loved making noise together, and seeing the joy attached to music made it feel really natural for me to dive in. I think that energy still shows up in the music I make now. There’s this sense of play and curiosity that comes from growing up around people who just loved picking up instruments for the fun of it.

You’ve described your childhood as being “off the grid”, yet as an independent artist today, social media has become an essential part of your career. How do you navigate that contrast, and does the constant online presence ever become overwhelming or draining for you?

It’s funny because I really did grow up pretty off the grid! We didn’t have a lot of the typical tech stuff and I spent most of my time outside. Now my career basically lives online. It’s a weird contrast, and sometimes it’s definitely overwhelming. I try to approach social media like another creative tool instead of something I have to feed constantly. As long as it comes from a real place and I’m not forcing it, it feels more manageable. And when it gets draining, I just step away for a bit and reset.

You’ve had an incredibly successful run in Asia recently, and you’ve even opened for Niall Horan in Jakarta. As a Canadian artist performing so far from home, how do you build such a strong connection with fans across different cultures? Do those cultural differences ever shape the way you approach your shows or your music?

Performing in Asia has honestly been one of the coolest parts of my career so far, and opening for Niall in Jakarta was surreal. What I’ve learned is that connection isn’t about geography, it’s about intention. If you show up fully and you’re honest in what you’re singing about, people can feel it no matter where they’re from. I try to be really present in those rooms and pay attention to what each crowd responds to. Every place has its own energy and that definitely shapes how I move through a show.

Your music has developed an especially strong connection with listeners across Asia. What do you think it is about your sound or storytelling that resonates so deeply with fans in that part of the world?

I think people in Asia really connect with emotion and storytelling. My music tends to sit pretty close to the heart and I think that resonates there in a special way. There’s also this crazy level of loyalty and passion in those fan communities. They listen closely and they care deeply. It makes me want to show up with everything I’ve got every time.

Your new album ‘Can We Talk?’ feels incredibly personal, are there specific conversations or moments in your life that inspired its core themes?

Yeah, this album is super personal. A lot of it came from conversations I was scared to have in real life. The whole idea of asking “can we talk?” is something I’ve felt at different moments with friends, relationships, and even with myself. It’s about trying to communicate honestly even when it’s messy. Those moments where you feel misunderstood or you’re trying to bridge a gap between you and someone you care about were a big part of the writing.

You’re approaching your one-year wedding anniversary, congratulations from all of us at Lewis Magazine! In what ways, if any, has being married influenced your creative process or the way you approach writing music?

Thank you, that means a lot! Being married has brought a whole new level of calm and clarity into my life. Hannah is my best friend and having that kind of partnership makes it easier to go deep creatively. There’s something about feeling really grounded at home that frees up space to be vulnerable in my writing. She inspires me in ways I’m still figuring out how to put into words.

You’ve mentioned that your writing is very emotionally driven. How do you balance being vulnerable in your music with keeping parts of your life private? And how do you take care of your mental health while constantly revisiting heavy or vulnerable themes?

Being vulnerable in music is just part of how I’m wired. I try to write from a place of truth without giving away things that belong to the people I love. As far as mental health goes, I check in with myself a lot. If I’m writing heavy stuff, I make sure to balance it with real life moments that feel light and grounding. Going for walks, spending time with friends, and being outdoors—all of that keeps me steady.

You’re known for being deeply hands-on with your songwriting and production. Do you feel it’s important to craft a distinctly recognizable ‘elijah woods’ sound across your discography? If so, how do you go about achieving that consistency while still evolving as an artist?

I care a lot about having a sound that feels like me. Not in a boxed-in way, but in a way where you can hear a song and go oh yeah, that’s Elijah. For me it comes from a mix of honest lyrics, melodies that feel natural to sing, and production choices that support the emotion instead of distracting from it. I’m always trying to push myself forward, but I think the consistency comes from following my instincts. As long as I’m not pretending to be someone else, the sound stays familiar even as it evolves.

When you look back at the early days of your career, what’s one piece of advice you would give your younger self, whether about navigating the music industry or about growing as an artist?

I’d probably tell younger me to trust the process more. I spent a lot of time worrying about whether things were happening fast enough. If I could go back, I’d say keep your head down, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to take risks. The industry is unpredictable but the work is what matters. And be kinder to yourself. That one took me a while to learn.

If you could create a dream collaboration with any artist, from any genre or era, who would it be and why?

There are so many artists I’d love to work with, but Paul McCartney would be unreal. He’s one of the greatest songwriters of all time and everything he’s created has so much heart. I feel like I’d learn a lifetime’s worth of stuff in one session with him.

With your global audience growing and your first full album out, what do you feel is the next chapter for you, either creatively or personally?

Right now I feel like I’m stepping into a new chapter where I’m more confident in who I am as an artist. I want to keep building my live show, keep growing this global audience, and keep making music that feels honest. Personally, I’m focusing on being present. Life has been moving really fast, so I’m trying to enjoy each step instead of looking ahead all the time.

Thank you for your time Elijah, is there anything else you would like to share with our Lewis readers?

Just a big thank you! Anyone who takes the time to read interviews, listen to the music, or show up at shows means the world to me. I’m really proud of this album and I hope it finds people at the right moment in their lives!