Eli Waltz is a folk artist and traveler who built his sound on the road. Born into a middle-class Jewish family in Massachusetts—his father a neuroscientist, his mother a labor and delivery nurse—he chose a different path.

He spent years in China, South America, the Middle East and Europe adventuring, hiking and busking to make ends meet. He developed a harmonica, fingerpicking guitar and songwriting style, which drew upon traditional Folk, Blues and Country, and at times Classical and traditional Chinese music.

For a time, Waltz settled in Washington, D.C., and embraced the craft of classic cocktails. In 2019, he co-founded an acclaimed cocktail bar, and collected stories and ideas that fed his music. He built playlists with bartenders and spun records with regulars, and discovered a musical muse: Townes Van Zandt.

Since his debut three years ago, Waltz has released five EPs, six singles and multiple collaborative projects, recognized by online and print publications around the world - and by one of his musical heroes, Sir Paul McCartney.

Called "a standout figure in the contemporary Americana scene" (Americana Curious), Waltz considers himself a collaborative torchbearer for folk music who finds ways to elevate his fellow folk musicians and occasionally lights his own small fires.

Waltz lives in Switzerland and will tour Europe, the British Isles, Ireland and the United States in 2025. He will also release a number of new singles and EPs this year.