We caught up with American Elijah Cruise around the release of his latest track “Suicide In Her Head”, an alt-rock anthem which delves into the depths of the human experience with unapologetic intensity.
– Hey Elijah Cruise, can you please start by telling us more about your background and how your career started?
Absolutely! Picture this: a 12-year-old kid, homeschooled, surrounded by the freedom to dive into music whenever inspiration struck. That was me! I spent countless hours honing my skills—writing, singing, playing instruments, and just creating some awesome stuff. I don’t see myself as a prodigy, just someone relentless in pursuing what I love. I’ve been in various bands, singing and writing, but one day I decided to go solo as Elijah Cruise. Music isn’t just a passion; it’s my life, my obsession, and I’m loving every moment of it.
– Congratulations on the release of “Suicide In Her Head”! Can you share the inspiration behind this anthem and what led you to explore such intense themes in your music?
Thank you! “Suicide In Her Head” came to life in the cold embrace of last December. When the chorus hit me, it felt different, like I was breaking free from societal expectations. The song’s narrative is a collection of stories etched in my mind—from loved ones to friends and strangers. It’s an anthem for anyone feeling lost, without purpose. I wanted to tell this story raw and unfiltered.
– As both the songwriter and producer of your music, how do you navigate the creative process? Could you take us through the journey of bringing “Suicide In Her Head” from concept to completion?
Oh, I love delving into this! The writing process is a mix of strumming my guitar in the bedroom studio and belting out ideas into my iPhone while driving. It’s a way to keep things pure and unburdened by overthinking. Once the song was penned, I hopped onto my DAW (Ableton Live) to lay down the groundwork—drums, bass, samples, and a scratch vocal. Next, I collaborated with my guitarist Tyler and drummer Asher to give the track its unique flavor with hybrid drums and edgy guitar tones.
Then came the fun part—adding samples, tweaking guitar riffs, sprinkling in synths and piano. With the blueprint set, it was time to record the final vocals. I headed to Graybox with Cody Hunter in Nashville, got those vocals down, and then handed the masterpiece to my incredible mix engineer, Seth Earnest. After the mix, it went to the talented Will Borza in LA for mastering. And voila, “Suicide In Her Head” was born!
– What’s the idea behind the visualizer?
Absolutely! Collaborating with the creative minds at “A World Away” was a blast. We brainstormed the concept and vibe, and they crafted stunning hand-painted artwork for “Suicide In Her Head” and “Vampire U.” The visualizer emerged from these artworks, and I’m particularly enamored with the one for “Suicide In Her Head.” It has this graphic and tragically beautiful quality that resonates with the song’s essence.
– Looking at your previous releases like “Vampire U” and “Poem of a Killer”, it’s evident that you enjoy exploring dark and emotive themes. What draws you to these themes and how do you balance creating music that’s both intense and accessible to a wide audience?
Honestly, I’ve shifted my focus away from trying to cater to a wider audience. Instead, I’m honing in on creating music that I genuinely enjoy, confident that the right people will connect with it. While every artist desires to be seen and understood, my commitment to honesty and authenticity means letting go of external opinions. Dark themes have always intrigued me, stemming from my upbringing in a religious household, where the contrast between darkness and light was a prevalent theme. For me, darker music has been more therapeutic than the upbeat stuff. I spent my childhood writing in graveyards near my house, so it feels like destiny to explore the ghosts in my head through my music.
– Finally, what can we expect next from you? Any upcoming projects, collaborations, or new musical directions you’d like to share with your fans?
Loads of exciting things! In January, I’ve got a music video dropping that I’m thrilled about. There’s a major collaboration slated for 2024, and I’m already in the works for my next single, which I’m absolutely pumped for. Plus, I’ve teamed up with my first manager, and we’re gearing up for a massive 2024, including a significant tour. Get ready for a wild ride!
