A Chat with Brian Elodi (18.06.26)
Written as a deeply personal project for his daughter, Brian Elodi’s latest album, After Only, grew into something far bigger: a heartfelt collection of songs exploring memory, honesty, and the passage of time. Blending fictional storytelling with emotional truth, the record serves as both a creative statement and a time capsule for the future. We spoke with Brian about fatherhood, songwriting, collaboration, and what this album represents at this stage of his life.
OSR: This album began as a personal project for your daughter. When did you realise it was becoming something you wanted to share more widely?
Elodi: I have been writing music for what feels like forever. New songs replacing old songs, and old songs eventually forgotten, other than an iPhone recording if I’m lucky. After my daughter was born, I started to think about the future much differently. I am a little older than the average first-time father, which led me to thoughts of how old I’ll be at different stages of her life. Not that there is an expiration date on writing and playing music, but I certainly wanted her to have access to my songs just in case.
OSR: You’ve described these songs as a kind of time capsule – what period of your life do they most strongly represent for you?
Elodi: I guess present day. Tough to answer in absolutes, as some of these songs are pretty old. Since my characters are rarely autobiographical, more fictional vehicles are used to convey emotions or even a passing glance at a true story; they don’t expire. They may represent a past moment of inspiration, but can certainly be revitalized through a fresh future lens. The time capsule more refers to the hope that there is value in the album when viewed from a distant and different future.
OSR: How did your collaboration with producer Ben change the way you approached these recordings?
Elodi: I knew I wanted to record a collection of my songs and had all intentions of keeping everything pretty simple. After working with Ben during our first couple of sessions, there was a creative chemistry that brought the songs to new places as future sessions got underway. He was incredibly willing to not only make suggestions but also to pick up any number of instruments and add to the tracks in an extremely organic way. He brought ideas and was always willing to help give life to the ideas I brought, which resulted in a final product that was surprising as it was rewarding.
OSR: You move between fictional characters and emotional truth in your songwriting. What draws you to that narrative style?
Elodi: There is a freedom of expression in not being tied to an exact true story. In fiction, some truths shine by contrast.
OSR: Did your background in heavier music influence the way you now approach acoustic and folk arrangements?
Elodi: Yes, and not always in a good way lol. For whatever reason, when I’m in the vocal booth to add higher harmonies, I tend to revert to a screaming delivery, which almost never works for the song. In all seriousness, I think we all make the songs we are supposed to make and our musical journey to get there is what makes music unique.
OSR: Songs like ‘Apologize’ and ‘Far from My Mind’ feel very intimate. Do you ever feel vulnerable releasing material like that?
Elodi: I’m not sure I would describe it as vulnerable as much as I would be honest. A word I use extensively throughout the record. I think music can only connect with a listener if there are honest threads holding the fabric together.
OSR: Which song on the album took the longest to fully understand or finish?
Elodi: This is an easy one. ‘Half your mother’s eyes’. It’s the only song I have ever written intentionally. Meaning to set out with a specific subject and message in mind. It’s also the only song on the album that is actually word-for-word about my family. My wife was supportive of this album, but was very clear on one thing: it should have a song about my daughter before I could call it finished. I agreed. I had the chorus pretty quickly, as I had been singing a loose version of it to her since a few months after she was born. Just wishing her happiness, etc., but the rest took me over a month. My songs usually come together over the course of a few days, so a month is a long time in my writing world. I also changed it a few times, which I almost never do.
OSR: How did your daughter’s presence or perspective influence the tone of the record, even indirectly?
Elodi: Since a lot of the songs were written before we had her, I’d have to say her presence influenced more my decision to make it in the first place more so than any specific tonality.
OSR: What role does imperfection play in your writing and recording process?
Elodi: Another great question! I love authenticity in the music I listen to and strive to bring it to the music I make. Something too perfect is hard to connect with. It’s one of the reasons I rarely change lyrics after the initial song is written. That first expression of the song is usually its most impactful. Wait a second, are you saying my album isn’t perfect?
OSR: Now that this album is out in the world, how do you feel it represents you as an artist at this point in your life?
Elodi: Perfectly!
Many thanks to Brian Elodi for speaking with us. Find out more about Brian Elodi on his Instagram and Spotify.
