On Eliza Edens’ sophomore album We’ll Become the Flowers, she seeks to understand what happens after the end. Whether grappling with heartache or a loved one’s mortality, the Brooklyn-based songwriter re-imagines endings not as finite events but as devotional experiences that give way to new beginnings. Edens takes inspiration from folk luminaries such as Nick Drake, Karen Dalton and Elizabeth Cotten.

Eliza will join seven other finalists to network and compete at the NewSong Performance & Songwriting Competition finals on Saturday, January 11, at Citizen Vinyl. Find tickets here.

NewSong Music: What sort of music was playing in your house when you were growing up?

Eliza: The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Peter, Paul & Mary, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Eva Cassidy, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Norah Jones, Canned Heat, Bonnie Raitt, and lots of classical music.

What inspired you to become a songwriter?

The absolute magic and mystery of music. I was always so mystified as a child when I saw someone playing a guitar or a piano. I wanted to learn how I could make beautiful sounds with my hands on those instruments too. So I suppose, mystery. I am still uncovering the mystery of music and songs.

If you could partner with another living songwriter to co-write a song, who would it be?

Stevie Wonder

What attracted you to submit your song(s) to the NewSong Competition?

I read about it somewhere online and submitted on a whim!

Do you have any recent or forthcoming projects to tell us about?

I am currently working on a new batch of songs about queerness and grief. They are very genre-diverse and a lot of fun!