Hailing from Lafayette, Colorado, Brody Wood‘s musical journey started in 2012 when he received his first guitar as a gift. Initially indifferent, a transformative moment with a friend sparked a deep passion, leading to the formation of a band and a continuous evolution of individual musical mastery. The result of Brody’s artistic journey, which was greatly impacted by relationships, feelings, and personal experiences, is his most recent album, “Unacquainted.”
In a rare conversation, Brody Wood discusses with POP CULTR his creative development and links each album to significant turning points. He mastered the art of storytelling with a narrative-driven album and a breakthrough single that received 20,000 views. Brody captures his essence in “Unacquainted,” characterizing it as an expression of his emotions, his journey, and himself.
Inspired by iconic artists like as Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and The Weeknd, Brody imbues his music with a depth of theme, production skill, and raw synth emotions. With a promise of a more upbeat storyline in his upcoming album, Brody Wood is teasing fans with his unwavering dedication to musical creativity and emotional sincerity.
Could you share the inspiration behind the album and what message or emotions you aimed to convey through it?
My biggest inspiration for the album was previous relationships I’ve been in, and how they changed me as a person. I really wanted to portray sadness, but more importantly, a false sense of pride. I want the main character in the album to feel like he’s trying to convince himself he’s okay, while doing things in spite of the past. He talks about being heartless, but through the lines you can see how broken he was.
How has your diverse musical background influenced the creation of this album?
It really inspired my to try and make a new sound. I’ve done standard rock, and synth. Piano, and singer/songwriter, but with this album, I wanted to try to make the sounds feel like how confused and overwhelmed I was during the courses of the album.
As an independent artist from Colorado, how do you think your local roots or environment have contributed to your musical style?
Having easy access to the mountains and nature as a whole really effected how I wrote. While writing the album, I would take runs in the mountains. For hours I would sprint through the trees, isolated from people. As I ran, I would listen to instrumentals of my music, and rip the emotion’s I was feeling into words while I ran. By the time I returned home, I’d have entire songs written and true to what I was feeling. Having that outlet completely changed how I created this album.
If you had to pick one song from the album that holds a special place in your heart, which one would it be and why?
“Lust Over Love.” This was the very first song I wrote on the album, and I think it perfectly sums what I wanted to express throughout its course. It was also the moment I realized that I CAN finish the album, and that I CAN write what I want to write and enjoy the result. It is now, and will probably forever be my favorite on the album.
What do you find most challenging about navigating the music industry, and how do you overcome those challenges?
The difficulty in being heard. I feel as if I have a solid base of an Identity, and I know that there are people out there who would enjoy what I create, it’s just finding them that I have found difficult. Overcoming this challenge has been tough, but with each instagram post and each interview I can secure, I’m sure I’ll make it through. At the end of the day I value my music, and that’s what I truly care about.
Are there specific artists, not necessarily in the same genre, who have had a profound impact on your music or inspired you in unexpected ways?
My top three have aways been, and probably always will be, The Weeknd, Kanye West, and Kendrick Lamar. Each one of them holds a trait in the industry I truly value and try to embody. The Weeknd has an amazing voice, and tells a synth story perfectly. Kanye tries new things, and doesn’t care what people think because he loves what he does. And Kendrick creates a beautiful bond between the emotions he sings about and the music he sings it with.
Beyond music, do you have any other creative outlets or hobbies that influence your artistic expression?
I really value how many creative outlets I experiment in. Throughout my recent life I’ve published two books, covered my walls in canvas’ of my own work, and created a small community on YouTube where I interact with my audience. I really value art, and creativity, which is why I truly devote lots of my time to music.
What’s next on the horizon for your musical journey? Any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re excited about?
I want nothing more than to keep creating music, and evolve as an artist. I value looking back on my past and seeing how much I’ve grown, which is why this first album is a good checkpoint along the way. If I can promise anything, it’s that I’m excited to push myself, and hopeful someday I’ll inspire someone else to do the same.
