Singer-Songwriter Ira Wolf Talks About Her Success, Nashville, And New Single ‘The Boat’

This is definitely not the first time you’ve heard of her!

With over 50 Million streams on her music, Ira Wolf is no stranger to the music industry. She recently released an emotional single titled ‘The Boat’.

We had the amazing honor of talking with Ira about her dream collabs, her fans, and more!

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

I: “As far back as I can remember I’ve known I wanted a career in music, though I wasn’t always sure what I wanted it to look like. While I knew early on that I wanted to sing professionally, it wasn’t until my early twenties I realized I wanted to be a songwriter. I had trained with a classical vocal coach throughout my high school years and began dabbling in song writing and playing guitar around age sixteen. Over the next few years my focus remained in the classical realm as a vocalist, but while studying opera in college I slowly began sharing my own songs at open mic nights on campus. After a few years I dropped out of the opera program and began pursuing songwriting more seriously, briefly transferring to a private music college in Boston, and eventually leaving school and relocating to Nashville. That move was probably the moment
I had the most clarity about what I wanted my career to look like.”

Tell us more about your amazing new single ‘The Boat’.

I: “I began writing The Boat while solo backpacking in South America. I was craving some space and trying to reclaim a bit of my independence in the midst of a serious (albeit flawed) relationship. I decided to spend a month traveling through Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina in an attempt to gain clarity. That trip reaffirmed something that would take a few more years to act on ultimately the partnership wasn’t a good fit. I finished writing the song when I returned to the states, plucking out the melodies on my piano. Years later, after a traumatic breakup and major decline in my mental health, the song became part of a bigger project. My producer helped arrange the instrumentation in a more acoustically-driven direction and we brought in some of my absolute favorite Nashville players to add to the soundscape, creating what it is now.”

What is the main takeaway/advice you want fans to learn from the song?

I: “A year ago I would have said that The Boat was a warning about self-awareness and the sad, but inevitable break that happens when two unaligned people finally reach the conclusion of their incompatibility. Nowadays it feels more like a message about self acceptance. I want people to feel like it’s okay to be who they are, to celebrate who they are, and to pursue a path in life that’s fulfilling and authentic, even when it means leaving behind someone they once were tethered to. There can be a lot of grief that comes with that, but there’s also so much freedom and peace to be found.”

How would you personally describe the music scene in Nashville?

I: “Nashville is obviously known for its country music scene, but there’s a massive indie scene beyond Music Row and the Broadway Honky Tonk cover bands. The abundance of talent and camaraderie within the local indie/folk/Americana community is unlike anything I’ve found elsewhere.”

If you could work with any fellow music artist on a song, who would it be and why?

I: “I would love to see the way Gillian Welch pieces lyrical ideas together. Her writing is poignant and direct in a way I’ve always admired. Similarly, I’d be interested in seeing Gregory Alan Isakov’s process in the production phase of a song. I’ve enjoyed seeing his sound expand over the years.”

You have over 60 Million streams on your music, on just Spotify alone! How have you reacted
to your success?

I: “A lot of the time I have to pinch myself. I’m often dumbfounded by the reality of living out my lifelong dream and I feel so much gratitude that my songs have connected with so many people. I recognize just how fortunate I am to earn a living from my greatest passion. That said, it can also feel like a lot of pressure. My writing style has always been intensely personal and cathartic. I’m noticing that the larger my audience grows, the more daunting it can feel to share such intimate stories and experiences.”

Is there anything you want to say to your fans?

I: “THANK YOU! My music often comes from a place of heaviness or heartache, and being able to pour some of that weight into a creative outlet is such a gift. My fans have shown me that there is so much power and solidarity in vulnerability, and it’s been the greatest joy of my life to hear the ways that my songs have had a deeply personal impact on someone else.”

Where can we follow your amazing journey?

I: “I share lots of photos and videos from my travels (mostly of my dog and my van) on Instagram, TikTok, and other socials @irawolfmusic. You can also keep updated on tours, new music, and other announcements on my website: irawolfmusic.com.”

Make sure to stream ‘The Boat’, available now on all music platforms!

Photo Credit: Kendall Rock

Je’Kayla Crawford– Founder and Director– Je’Kayla has been a journalist for years and decided to start a publication of her own, New Scene. When not helping her team and working on the monthly issues, you can find her watching a movie on Netflix or baking using a viral Tasty recipe.