JB Elwood: “Music is an escape for listeners, and it brings us all together regardless of background or where we live”
Texas-based singer/songwriter JB Elwood has been one of my favourite musical discoveries of 2025 so far. An alternative pop artist who infuses Americana and folk influences into his work, JB has this magical ability to conjure up tunes that feel like companions to the highs and lows of life.
A musician who's always searching for something real, pure, and raw, I was intrigued to learn more about Elwood's artistry, and was buzzing with joy when he agreed to an interview!
Chatting with us about his brand new single, Back Someday, his love for artists like John Mayer and Tyler Childers, and what sonic legacy he hopes to leave behind one day, please welcome our good friend JB Elwood!
JB! Welcome! It's great to finally have a chance to chat!
Now, I've followed your sonic career for a while, but for those unfortunate souls who have yet to discover your sound, what would you say they’re missing out on? How would you describe your music?
Hey! I look forward to this chat with you, and I really appreciate your continued support of me and my music journey.
So, my music, I would say, is Pop Alternative with Americana and Folk influences. My familial roots are from the Appalachian region, and I always try to showcase my roots in my songwriting and storytelling.
With my newest song releases, including Back Someday, which is my most current release, I am going the more Americana route. My previous releases had more of a Pop Rock vibe to them, so I am trying to find that balance between the heavier songs I write and the Americana songs I write.
Two modern-day artists who strongly impact my songwriting are Sam Fender and Tyler Childers. I hope listeners are enjoying my new song! I have a lot more songs coming your way very soon.
Back Someday is your heartfelt new offering, and in my humble opinion, truly showcases your storytelling prowess.
Do you remember the song's "birth"? What was that initial spark that set Back Someday in motion?
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the compliment on my songwriting.
Back Someday was born when I was messing around with this Appalachian instrument that I own called a woodrow, which is an instrument from Asheville, North Carolina. It has a beautiful sound to it.
I came up with a riff on the instrument, and I started humming a melody. The melody and riff made me think of my family and the importance of family. That is when I knew what I should write the song about.
Back Someday is a song about leaving a small town to chase after what you want in life, but it is a promise to your family that you will eventually find your way back home someday. I didn't want to write generic and cliché lyrics, so I worked very hard on the lyrics to tell the story in a deep and profound way. This song is an ode to West Virginia and my parents.
Now, I’m sorry to pose such a tough question, but if you could choose one of your tracks to skyrocket to the top of the charts and achieve massive success, which would it be and why?
That is a tough question! But, if I were to choose a song from my catalog that I think has the best chance to skyrocket to the top of the charts, it would be Lost In My Ways. This is a Pop Rock song about redemption and second chances. It has a Harry Styles vibe to it, a meaningful story, and a Pop sound. I also filmed a music video for it!
For Back Someday, I will be filming a music video during the second week of October! I am flying up to West Virginia and filming it with a West Virginia videographer to showcase the beauty of the Appalachian region.
Lastly, I am currently sitting on a new unreleased song that I will be releasing very soon, which I think might be the best song I have written so far. It is a heavier song, and it has a Muse vibe to it. I am excited to share with you my upcoming song releases!
Take us through some of your biggest musical influences. And, just for fun, if you could pluck one song from history and add your name to it, which would it be?
When I was 10 years old, I saved up a small amount of money from chores, and I went to the store with my family. What immediately caught my eye was Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses, and I told my parents I wanted to buy it. They were reluctant at first, but since it was money that I saved up, they allowed me to buy it.
When I listened to that album at 10 years old, I thought it was the most incredible thing I had ever heard in my entire life. I knew I wanted to be just like Slash one day.
After discovering Guns N' Roses at a young age, my dad began introducing me to some of his favorite bands like Led Zeppelin, Boston, Rush, AC/DC and other classic rock bands. Then I discovered Tom Petty, Rob Thomas, The Eagles, John Mayer, and so many other great bands and artists.
To answer your question, though, the artists that I would say shape my own songwriting would be Tom Petty, The Eagles, Tyler Childers, Matchbox 20, and Sam Fender.
If I were to pluck one song from history and have my name attached to it, it would be Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer. It is one of the most devastating and beautiful songs I have ever heard.
Do you feel artists have a responsibility to comment on the times we’re living in, or is music’s role more personal and timeless?
That is a really interesting question! I would say freedom of speech is such an important thing to preserve in the U.S., which is where I live, because it is the greatest experiment in modern history, but it is currently under attack due to the division we are currently facing in our society.
I do realize that other countries do not have the same privileges, so I will be careful how I word this response. In my opinion, when you reach a certain status, I think it is important to speak truth to power because sometimes that is the only way to drive change and fight against injustices.
Some of the greatest songs in history were statements on injustices in society, and those songs became anthems to many listeners. Music is an escape for listeners, and it brings us all together regardless of background or where we live. It is a universal language that can help us get through the toughest times. So, my answer to your question is all of the above!
What are your thoughts regarding the music industry of today? And, if you could, what changes would you make to it?
I think there needs to be more opportunities for up-and-coming artists to get discovered. Some of the best music out there is from undiscovered artists, but a majority of them will never get that chance to get discovered because of how the industry is today.
I think streaming was the death of the music industry and took the power away from the musicians. Now, artificial intelligence is going to make it extremely difficult for undiscovered artists to get their music in front of the right people.
But I know that I will continue pushing forward because I have so many more songs and stories to share! I hope that I get that opportunity to get my music in front of the right person who can help me get to the next level in my music career.
Alright, JB - desert island time! You’re allowed to grab 3 albums before being stranded on an island. Which do you go with?
This is a tough question! There are so many great, timeless albums. The first three albums that come to mind are Continuum by John Mayer, Dangerous by Michael Jackson, and Greatest Hits by The Eagles.
Purgatory by Tyler Childers, I would secretly sneak on the island as well. Don't tell on me!
JB, thank you again for taking the time to chat with us! It's been a real treat!
Not to get too deep or anything, but when you imagine the arc of your career, what kind of legacy do you hope your music leaves behind?
I truly appreciate your support of my music journey. Thank you for always writing about my song releases over the past year. Your continued support makes all the difference.
The legacy that I hope to leave behind with my music is that I am an authentic artist who tells meaningful and relatable stories through music. I would want to be remembered for the versatility in my songwriting because I like to incorporate a more Pop Rock/Alt sound to my heavier songs, and an Americana vibe to my slower songs.
An artist's music journey is a road of discovery, and my personal growth as an artist has been an exciting thing for me. My songs are continually evolving, and I am discovering my sound that defines who I am. I am excited to continue sharing my music, and I look forward to seeing where my music journey takes me next.
I will be releasing a music video for Back Someday in late October! Then I will be filming live in-studio video performances in November of all my upcoming song releases. I will be releasing a brand-new song in November as well. Thank you so much for all these great questions and for interviewing me!
