Music Artist Woodes On Performing Live, Dream Collabs, And New Single ‘Forever After’

Get your playlists ready!

For the past few years, Elle Graham, known as Woodes, has been making her mark in the music industry. She recently released a new single entitled ‘Forever After’.

We had the amazing honor of talking with Woodes about her growth as an artist, the meaning behind her stage name, and more!

When did you first realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

W: “I’ve been playing piano since I was 8 and always sang in choirs. I’m so in love with the process of creating music. I’d say my first obsessive moments started around soundtracks and writing songs/lyrics. I love building worlds and making things, and found those two parts were unparalleled. I found myself performing my own music in school and that led to gaining a small community that found joy and connection in what I was creating. That was special to keep building on. I really value the sense of connection and purpose.”

What inspired you to make your stage name ‘Woodes’?

W: “Woodes is earthy and strong.
Woodes is a fun word to say.
Woodes is a stronger version of myself.”

Tell us about your amazing new single ‘Forever After’.

W: “Off the back of a pretty devastating breakup, I took my broken heart up to Queensland and made some music with one of my best friends (Danny Harley/The Kite String Tangle). I knew it would be a safe space to just let it all unravel, as music has always been my form of processing. I moved interstate and was making music in a studio that was getting built around us. Everything seemed to be in a place of transition. Forever After stemmed from the idea that what had happened wouldn’t go away, it would always be a part of me. But it was ok to try and heal and move on.”

If you could collab with any artist, who would you choose and why?

W: “James Blake would be so cool. Or Imogen Heap. They’re two people that got me into producing, and I think they are always miles ahead. Very inspired by how strongly they stick to their own lanes. I’d also love to work with Finneas. His songwriting is so special. I just saw his show in Australia last week.”

How do you think you’ve grown as both an artist and as a person since your debut EP in 2016?

W: “In every sense!! I am stronger, better at communicating, I’m more emotionally intelligent, I have more production skills, I have more awareness. Woodes is freer, she is a beautiful blend between myself and her. She’s more sustainable and present. I look back at that time and think of other emerging artists & recognize it’s a role to protect and nurture – particularly young women. I was putting out art I believed in – that hasn’t changed. But there have been a lot of lessons along the way to toughen my skin. I think I’m finally back to making music that is purely only my voice and my story. It’s easy to get lost along the path. I’m so proud of who Woodes is now.”

You have performed live countless times. What is your favorite part of performing live?

W: “The connection with my audience. The energy with my band. I love thinking of how impossible it would be to get everyone in the room back in the room another day. Like we all made it there somehow – some are travellers, some are brought along by friends, some crew only work that day. It would be impossible for that moment and those bodies to all be there again. I think the pandemic really amplified that feeling for me. I am grateful on stage.”

Can we expect more music from you in the future?

W: “I have been making some of the best music of my life & I’m looking forward to sharing more soon… :).”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

W: “Streaming platforms, YouTube, Insta/FB, I’m new in the TikTok void! I also have some secret groups on fb and discord. https://linktr.ee/woodesmusic.”

Stream ‘Forever After’, available now on all music platforms!