After years honing his craft on Chicago’s South Side before making the move to Nashville, CJ Gill is preparing to introduce listeners to his debut album, Eye of the Storm. Rooted in the storytelling traditions of Americana and country while infused with the energy of classic rock, his songs explore resilience, change and the complicated emotions that shape life’s defining moments.
His latest single ‘Time To Go’ is a fitting introduction. Blending poetic lyricism with soaring instrumentation, the track follows the journey of letting go, embracing hardship as a catalyst for growth rather than something to fear. It’s a song that reflects both Gill’s personal experiences and the artistic path that has brought him to this point.
With Eye of the Storm on the horizon, CJ Gill is emerging as a songwriter unafraid to confront life’s challenges with honesty and hope. We caught up with him to discuss the making of ‘Time To Go, his move from Chicago to Nashville, and the stories that have shaped his long-awaited debut album.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
I have always loved music and been passionate about music and writing, but I did not grow up playing any instruments or really ever see it as my future. I had suffered an injury at work, though, that caused some turbulent and uncertain times in my life. So it was that injury which really led me to get back into writing a lot. I did not own a guitar until my mid 20s either so it was writing in order to get through some stuff that led me to having a moment where I felt I should get a guitar and see if I can turn these words into a song. So i pretty much taught myself how to play the guitar and the piano well enough to write music. And it’s been a passion that, honestly, grows everyday
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
Wow there’s so many it’s hard to narrow it down. But I think as far as shaping the sound I’d break it down into two parts. The lyrics are inspired by really great story tellers like Townes Van Zandt Kris Kristofferson and the eagles. And of course, from today’s music, my biggest lyrical influence is Cody Jinks. The other part is the music. So I really love strong rhythms and guitar work so that all starts with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Led Zeppelin and you know from today’s music Eric Church really laid a foundation with songs like Mr. Misunderstood. That whole record was and is such an inspiration to me.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
I had been writing a lot for myself for a couple years, and I knew music and writing was my passion. I had been dealing with some stuff in my personal life, like the injury i briefly mentioned earlier, that I didn’t know if it would allow me to pursue it further. But I went to see Cody Jinks in Joliet, Illinois at the Rialto square theater in February 2020 though, and I don’t know what it was but the crowd, atmosphere. The way people responded to his songs as an independent artist really moved and inspired me. And once I had the moment, it freed something up inside me and allowed myself to really start growing as an artist.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
The process has definitely evolved over the years. When I first started writing, I was writing two or three songs a day. Almost all of them never saw the light of day, but it was just the repetition and i believe writing is a craft just like anything else. You can only get better by doing it. My first single Lonesome and on the Run was actually written in those very early days. Now I feel I’m at a point where I just let the words come to me. I don’t seek them out. Once I have the words, I’ll sit down with a guitar or piano and start playing and singing until I feel something inside me. If I get that feeling then I know, ok we’re going to cut this one.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
I honestly just write about my life. You know every song is born from a lived experience, and I let the song kind of grow from there. Whether that’s incorporating things I’ve seen or heard or something that I just think fits with my experience.
Occasionally if I need a word or a verse I’ll just go back and listen to music by writers I look up to. in the case of ‘Time to Go’, ‘Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel’ by Townes Van Zandt helped me find the line I had been searching for.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I want anyone who listens to just find some happiness or hope from the sound or lyrics. I try to write in a way that anyone can just insert themselves into the song and feel apart of it. So if there’s a verse or something that one person out there feels as if “oh I’m not the only one that has felt this way” then I’d feel I was successful.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
Early on when I got to Nashville, it was hard finding people or someone who truly meshed with my ideas and vision for where I wanted to go musically. Now having figured that part out, the challenge has been just trying to get the music to as many people as possible without the backing of a major label or anything.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Just enjoying the process of creating my first record and seeing how it has evolved without needing to compromise on anything in the process has been awesome. That’s a credit to Dumpster Dog Studios in Nashville, Tennessee and my producer Will, who really took the time to not only understand where I wanted this record to go but also understand who I am as a person behind the music. And I’d say, you know, Dumpster Dog Studios helped me bring the music to a place beyond what I could do on my own.
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
For myself, writing and creating music for me is the only way to stay true to myself. I think once your motivation is trying to please a group of people or multiple groups of people, you can kind of lose yourself and who you are in that process. So obviously I want to reach as many people and enjoy my music with everyone, but understanding I can’t please everyone, I just keep writing what makes me happy and hopefully some people will appreciate what I’ve created.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Well I have the upcoming release of the album, Eye of the Storm. We’re finishing that up right now, and I’m very excited to share it with everyone. Shows will be announced on Instagram and YouTube.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
Continuing to make and play music. I have another album’s worth of material that I’m ready to get started on but I’m going to enjoy Eye of the Storm and have fun playing these songs for a bit. And just going to keep working and playing, see where the journey takes me. So if these songs resonate with you I think you’ll really enjoy what is yet to come. I’m just scratching the surface.
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Listen to CJ Gill’s new single ‘Time to Go’ below.
