Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, Rodney Eldridge discovered and fostered his artistic and musical talent throughout his schooling. Establishing himself as a film and TV producer after attempting college, there was always this undercurrent that took him through the notions that he was supposed to be doing something different.
The more he tried to avoid it, the more turbulence he experienced in his world; until one day, it all crashed and burned. The result is an emotional journey from a burgeoning young songwriter in the shape of his debut EP, ‘Black Box.’
Through delicately performed acoustic guitar strums being the musical basis of this composition, the slowly introduced elements that allow this piece to expand triumphantly have taken our attention on a sonic voyage that only Rodney Eldridge can convey.
Playing upon a brilliant use of timing and spatial cues, each lyrical motif that protrudes through the intimate spectrum of resonance has us grasping the significance that each word holds to the emerging artist himself. ‘All the pressure in my bones feel like they’re about to break,’ is a mere example of the power each string of words holds as the soothing dominance of Rodney Eldgridge’s timbres securely caress you.
Leaping through the hoops of an atmosphere-infused cognizance, what Rodney Eldridge radiates isn’t a skill set that you just stumble upon. Listening to the utter care he places into a sliver of his debut ‘Black Box’ EP, what we witness is a broad scope into the perspective lens that hardship has cast out in the very life of Rodney Eldridge.
Thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic Rodney Eldridge. The manner in which “The Weight” progresses truly has us locked into the sonic expedition you have embarked on. Could you please shine a light on what this song means to you?
This song was a conversation with my soul. I feel like it was something that had needed to happen for a while. I believe as you live life, things collect …the stuff you put off on dealing with because it’s too heavy or too hard. But at some point, you reach a boiling point where you either deal with it or you break. “The Weight” is about that internal battle. It’s about going after that dream you’ve had since you were a kid, shedding your old skin and walking into the new. When I wrote this song, I felt a shift within myself. For the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to be honest and real. I felt more empowered than I ever was.
Was there a particular moment or story that shaped the heartrending lyricism that we hear in this record?
I think several moments were leading up to this record. I started questioning everything in my life. I think a big realization for me was my day-to-day. I felt like a zombie, letting life run me as opposed to living it. I grew up Christian, but I think God showed himself to me in a bigger way while writing this record. I allowed myself to dive into it, question everything. I think allowing myself to be vulnerable and to pull back the curtain and be more introspective …. That was the turning point. I lived most of my life trying to be this “specific person” and fit into this “specific mold” until one day I grew tired. I just wanted people to see me for me.
How does “The Weight” fit into the entire theme of ‘Black Box?' What is the concept behind the collection of songs?
I think the concept itself is about freedom. It’s very much a story of me working out my own emotions, thoughts, and constructs, with “The Weight” being the catalyst. Each song dives into a part of my story in a very specific way. I think “The Weight” condenses all the emotions into one. From trying to figure it out, to come to terms that it’s ok to be yourself in every aspect, to feeling empowered that you have arrived.
With each artist being vastly different from one another, what would you say your mission statement is?
This is a great question. I think with this record, particularly I wanted people to do a deep dive with me. Let’s be honest, 2020 was that year for a lot of people. I want to be as authentic as I possibly can as an artist. If my music can help people ask those hard questions for themselves, then I’ve accomplished that goal. Every single person is so uniquely different. I believe that when everyone accepts that and allows people to be that uniquely designed person they are, we’ve made it. I don’t know if that’s a mission statement or just a mission, but it feels like my purpose is to be so authentically me that it inspires other people to do the same.
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