Catching Up on the Road with Eli Lev

Eli Lev is an absolute delight with his enchanting brand of Folk-meets-Rock. The artist who has seen a series of praised releases, is currently on tour in support of his current and upcoming endeavors. Tomorrow, November 14 he stops at Rockwood Music Hall for an intimate show in a town that treats him like home. Speaking with Eli Lev as of recent, we catch up with the eclectic artist for an interview below.

Eli Lev plays Rockwood Music Hall on Wednesday, 11/14. For more information and music, visit: https://eli-lev.com/

*Already on tour, you still have a few stops left. What cities are you looking forward to playing the most?

So I just played my first show here in Portland, Maine with Snughouse at One Longfellow Square and it was an amazing start to the tour! Singing my songs to over 100 new listeners and hearing them all clap and sing along by the night's end was really, really special, and I'm looking forward to bringing that same energy and connection to every stop on the way.
I always look forward to Rockwood Music Hall in New York City - Stage 1 has such a good vibes and always good to see my friends and family and fans come out to that one. This time around I'll be singing as a duo with Megan Leigh from Keedysville, Maryland. Can't wait to share the harmonies we've come up with for my songs.

* You are gearing up for a new record; what can you reveal to us regarding the release?

The new record is more sunset than sunrise, hence it's name 'Way out West.' It's introspective, moody, experimental, and is releasing Friday, December 14.

*Can we expect any new songs while on tour, especially in NY or DC?

I'll be playing new songs from that album throughout the tour, which will culminate in Washington, DC at Pearl Street Warehouse on December 28th for my album release show. I'll be with my full band, The Fortunes Found and can't wait to play these songs fully realized in front of my hometown crowd.

* How do you take the songs from the studio and craft them onto the stage? Is there any special formula you have?

Taking a song that I wrote and putting arrangements and instrumentation to it for the studio is a special process as you watch it grow up and find a way to present it to the world. Bringing it back to an acoustic solo stage performance goes back to the root of the song. The lyrics become a lot more important then and I always spend extra time perfecting the lyrical delivery on stage if it's just me and a guitar.

* What do you love the most about performing live? And discovering new cities as well?

I love connecting with the audience. If they show me some love, I give it right back tenfold. If they start snapping, I'm going to start smiling, and when I start smiling they start singing along. That back and forth can become a truly special thing by the end of my set, and I'm always interested to see what happens every show.

*Can we expect more tour dates in the coming year?

My pre-show ritual usually consists of stretching, vocal warm-ups from Cari Cole, a bottle of water, and a whiskey. The day of the show I like to go for a run to get loose, make sure all my emails are answered so I don't have anything else on my mind, and connect with a friend of family member to keep me grounded.

Tons more tour dates coming, but the big one is December 28th at Pearl Street Warehouse in DC. I'm really excited to have Haley Fahey and her band open the show before we take the stage and play the songs on Way out West for the first time with the full band. It's going to be the perfect way to cap off one heck of a year.