A LOOK INTO BO STALOCH & HIS NEW EP “THE GARDEN”

Vulnerable. Inviting. Captivating. Bo Staloch’s newest EP The Garden, takes us on a journey by way of enchanting vocals, raw lyricism, and a blooming soundscape. Following multiple sold-out headlining shows, international touring, and more—Staloch’s indie/folk style sound is paired perfectly with a more explosive rock energy — all coming together to create an EP that can be listened to alone or amongst thousands.

On the eve of the EP release, and Bo’s 20th Birthday, we and a handful of other media outlets got to sit down (virtually) with Staloch to ask questions and learn more about Bo’s path to now, his creative flow, and the important moments that shape how he shows up as an artist.

What can fans expect from this EP? What do you hope they take away when they listen?

People can expect a pretty vulnerable and emotional piece of writing and music. I really think all these songs come from a very real and deep place from me. And everything has so much intention behind it.

It really feels like a part of me. I want people to listen and just like how I write.

Feel however you feel and be whoever you need to be while listening… place yourself in the garden— whatever the garden means to you.

What are some memories that inspired you to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter?

I’m from Austin Texas, which is quite the music city—just being surrounded by music all my life and going to shows. I’ve always been so drawn to music.

One show I went to at Stubbs, a venue in Austin, I couldn’t stop watching the crowd and how infatuated they were with the music …. I was on this balcony looking over everything and I just remember that moment. I was watching the crowd react and I could see a father and son dancing and a couple dancing and an older man crying… I remember seeing that and thinking that they are only truly being themselves right now. I remember seeing that and thinking thats what I want to create.

Have there been any lessons you’ve learned over the last year that have influenced your growth as an artist?

The main thing i’ve learned about life in general—and I feel funny cause I don’t really know anything about life. I think the main thing is, if something feels right then it’s probably right. Whether that in songwriting, or adding a piano to a song... or in decision making with friends or relationships.

If something feels wrong or you’re hesitating about something—there is a reason it feels that way and you should listen to yourself. Most of the time you’re right.

Prior to the full EP drop, you released “Give it a Break” and “The Garden”— tell us more about the creation process for those two songs.

I write pretty subconsciously. I never sit down and think ‘I’m gonna write a song about this’ — it just comes out. I think subconsciously I was definitely thinking about a relationship that I had gotten out of and that mixed with the blend of the energy surrounding me of the tour, all these live shows and being with the band. I think that combined and then all of a sudden — the second half of “give it a break” is this huge release of energy. It’s kind of like a declaration.

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The Garden was the first song that I had made and wrote for this project. I started writing it at our family home in Minnesota. I had my manager there and his daughter and one morning I was sitting there at the piano and in the OG demo, the daughter — her name is Lola, just the cutest little girl. She’s playing in the background and you hear her laughing and it’s just beautiful. I think the inspritation for that song came from being surrounded by family. It’s about my future children and letting go of fear for them.

What inspired THe USAGE OF THE SONG, “THE GARDEN” AS THE EP’s NAME?

A few reasons. I think the fact that it was kind of the first song that truly felt like me. I think that was something super important to me. The fact that “the”—or a garden is a tangible thing and something that that you can place yourself in while listening to it is a cool thing. I also think that family is a very important thing to me, and to have this song which is strictly about family and love for family and love for my future kids and all of that. I think it’s pretty powerful to have that be the main thing in the title of the EP. Powerful and awesome and special to me.

"Give It a Break," has a sound unlike past works. What does this mean for your work on the rest of the EP?

A year ago I don’t think I would ever make a song that sounds like that. That inspiration comes from listening to different music, being surrounded by live music, playing live and just being inspired by that energy—It’s kinda intense lyrics. So I think the soundscape matched with the lyrics and the rest of the EP.

There is definitely some similarities— it’s a journey. Some songs don’t have any percussion at all on it and some like “give it a break” it’s pretty heavy on it. I think the EP is def a rollercoaster of sounds, emotions, feelings, lyrics, stories, and all of it. It’s why I’m very connected with it.

What kind of music do you listen to when no one else is around? DOES THIS INSPIRE YOU?

Lately I’ve been listening to a record called East My Love by Current Joys, it was released last year. I listened to it for the first time last fall on tour and I literally broke down crying. It struck me…I think being with the band has expanded my music taste and my palette—which is awesome and why I think we are hearing different sounds and energies in this new music. Every song i’ve listened to ever has influence on the music I make and what gets out there on EPs, projects and singles.

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When you’re alone you’re not really afraid to be vulnerable and you’re not afraid to listen to the songs that really connect with you. So when I am listening to music alone—whether that’s Taylor Swift or Bon Iver — it makes me feel something and that’s something I chase every time I try to make music.

For people to let down their guard and be vulnerable with my music. That’s somenting that I strive for with every song.

What’s your favorite part of performing live?

The act of actualizing the songs and having it be tangible. It feels so much more personal and seeing peoples live reactions to my music—Whether that’s opening for another band and they are hearing my music for the first time or people that come to the show for me, it’s just the coolest thing ever.

I feel like the luckiest person that I get to do that. I think my favorite thing about playing live music is creating that feeling for people— creating something that they will remember, creating a moment for someone- it’s just crazy. And I don’t know how I got so lucky to be doing that. And also sharing the stage with my best friends and just having fun is a blast.

What fears do you think you have to bury to pursue music

I’m a very anxious person. As a kid I couldn’t even go to my own birthday parities. I was just very anxious and being a musician who gets up in front thousands of people is a really odd career choice for someone like that, but it just happened.

Just creating , and writing, it all helps with that.. I also think music in general is such a super power. It kind of just allows you to bury whatever you need to bury in the garden, whether that’s fear or anything.

What of yourself do you feel you have to dig up most to create music?

I think honesty and just going back to the genuine-ness of being of a human. I think is something I really strive to do when making music because people can see through that. So just like digging up the emotions that I’ve felt through 19—almost 20 years. And just being honest with them and vulnerable… You never know what other people are going through and you never know what will help others. So it’s a special thing to know that your music is helping someone in some way.

Thanks again for speaking with us all & Happy Belated BDAY and EP to you Bo!

Find his artist webpage linked HERE for additional information, social medias, updates on music, events, upcoming tours and all things Bo!

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If you haven’t already, listen to “The Garden”—streaming where ever you listen to music.

Q&A Press Conference Hosted by °1824 (Universal Music Group)

Publications / Outlets — Present at Conference (OhSoYas Media, Scene and Heard, Albums Obsessed, Ohio State Music Industry Club, 7in Sound, Lovebomb Magazine, Record of my Mind, Crucial Rhythm, Generation T Outlet,The Kore, Closer2Vision, ECHO, All The Things Music, POTRAY-TS)*

Photography by Travis Bailey via Capitol Music Group +

*Note: The collective interview has been edited for length, clarity, and flow. The questions have been paraphrased slightly for readability, and their order has been adjusted. All responses as originally stated.