Nashville singer-songwriter Bo Staloch recently released his new EP, The Garden, on March 14, 2025. The EP consists of a six-song tracklist and features his singles, “Give It A Break" and “The Garden.”
Can you share what headspace you were in when creating “The Garden” and “Give It a Break”?
Bo: I started “Give It A Break" on my last tour last fall. I write subconsciously, I never sit down and think I'm gonna write a song about this, it just kind of comes out. Subconsciously I was definitely thinking about a relationship I had gotten out of. That mixed with the blend of the energy surrounding me of the tour and all these live shows and being with the band. All of a sudden, the second half of “Give It A Break" is this huge release of energy. I sing in the song that I'll be fine and it's a declaration of one day I'll be fine. “The Garden” was the first song that I made and wrote for this project. I started writing it in our family home in Minnesota. I was surrounded by family. My manager and his daughter were there. One morning I was sitting on the piano and we were all playing with his daughter. In the original demo, she's playing in the background and you can hear her laughing behind me singing. I think the inspiration for that song came from being surrounded by family. It's about my future children and letting go of fear for them.
Have there been any lessons you’ve learned over the last year that have influenced your growth as an artist?
Bo: For sure, I think the main thing that I've learned about life in general is that if something feels right then it's probably right. Whether that's in songwriting, or if you want to add a piano to a song you should probably add the piano. Or with decision-making, friends or relationships. If something feels wrong or you're hesitating about something. There's a reason it feels that way and you should listen to yourself. Most of the time you're right. I've definitely found that. I feel so lucky that I've trusted myself and trusted the way I feel about things because it's gotten me this far which is pretty crazy.
What elements of the creative process have you learned to prioritize as you’ve grown as an artist?
Bo: I think really leaning into the trust you have for yourself and your artistry is super important. A Lot of times writers get writer's block, if you learn to trust yourself and whatever you're writing about is what you're supposed to be writing about. That's so important, you go into a session and you're writing a pop song then write the pop song. It clears up space for you to write whatever. Leaning into yourself and who you are because that's most important.
When you’re writing, do you have a certain setting or visual in mind for your songs?
Bo: We’ve been trying to find a symbol for my music and my project. It took me a while to think about. My dad is from Minnesota and he grew up on a farm there. We would visit the farm and at the front there is this huge willow tree. I remember playing in the willow tree and losing myself but also finding myself and it was this special awesome thing. I think whenever I write a song, subconsciously I try to recreate that feeling of being in the willow tree.
What was the process like for creating the cover art for "Give it A Break"?
Bo: We have an awesome team at Capitol Records. I’ve gotten close with the creative director of our team. It took a lot of brainstorming and different ideas. The shot of my face on the cover art is from a picture we took in this beautiful home in Laurel Canyon in LA. I think that shot set the tone for the song and we had some awesome designers help with the editing and other components to the cover art. It all stems from that Laurel Canyon picture and how we were supposed to fit that into the cover art.
What’s your favorite part of performing live, and how do you connect with your audience during shows?
Bo: The act of actualizing the songs and having it be tangible. It feels so much more personal. Seeing people's live reactions to my music, whether that's opening for another band and hearing my music for the first time. Or coming to the show for me. It's just the coolest thing ever and I feel like the luckiest thing ever that I get to do that. My favorite thing about playing live music is creating that feeling for people. Something that they will remember and creating a moment for someone. I don’t know how I got lucky to do that. Also sharing the stage with my best friends and just having fun is a blast.
Throughout your career has there been a live performance that stands out as especially meaningful or unforgettable? What made it so special?
Bo: I had a headline show in Dublin, Ireland last summer and that was really crazy to me. Just the fact that there were people coming there for me across the world was crazy and something I didn't expect to happen. I hadn’t released a song in a year. It was a crazy moment and I'll always remember that. I played that show with one of my best buddies and to share the stage with him and live that moment was awesome.
You are about to embark on The Trilogy Tour with Ashe this spring, which will be the first time you’re touring after releasing The Garden EP. What can fans expect from your performance?
Bo: I hope they expect fun and kind of similar to the EP. The live set is really unique and diverse. It goes through ups and downs energy-wise and song-wise. I think me and the band do a cool rendition of all the songs live that kind of adds to it. I enjoy our set and live sound as much or more than the recorded stuff. Being in the room with them and doing these songs live is such a cool and special thing, I think it sounds awesome. I'm pumped for everyone to hear it.
Your newest single, “The Garden” is a vulnerable and heartfelt declaration of love and the importance of family. What inspired you to make this song the title of the EP?
Bo: I think a few reasons, the fact that it was the first song that truly felt like me. That was super important to me. The fact that a garden is a tangible thing and is something you can place yourself in while listening to the EP. That's a really cool thing. Also family is a really important thing to me and to have this song that is strictly about family and love for family and future kids. It’s very powerful to be the main thing and the title of the EP, it's special to me.
What can fans expect from the EP, and what do you hope they take away when they listen?
Bo: I think people can expect a pretty vulnerable and emotional piece of writing and music. All these songs come from a real and deep place from me. Everything was super intentional whether that was the drum sounds, just everything had so much intention behind it. It really feels like a part of me. People can expect a bunch of emotions and I want people to be able to listen and feel whatever you need to feel and be whoever you need to be while listening. Place yourself in the garden, whatever the garden means to you.