Jeff Hodges reflects on growth, struggle, and creative freedom in this interview, unpacking the meaning behind “If I Was A Road” and his evolving approach to songwriting, performance, and genre exploration.
1. “If I Was A Road” feels deeply reflective and personal. What shaped the metaphor behind the song?
Definitely. I use a lot of metaphor throughout the song.
Lines like “if I should fly, I’d have some wings” but still being stuck in the leaves represent that feeling of wanting to rise above something, but not being able to break through. It’s like not being able to see the forest through the trees. It can mean different things depending on where you are in life.
When I talk about willpower and strength, that comes from real experience. Sometimes you need strength to push forward, and sometimes you need strength just to hold back. That idea of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is in there too, but I flip it slightly to say even what doesn’t kill you still requires strength.
In the second verse, when I say “my records should go to the top but it feels like the bottom I’ve got,” that’s me being honest about feeling stuck or frustrated at times. I think a lot of people relate to that.
The “road” itself is about being worn down, marked up, used, but still serving a purpose. No matter what it goes through, it still connects people. That’s how I see music and life.
2. You mentioned shifting from chasing outcomes to chasing alignment. How has that changed your process?
I wouldn’t say it changed my songwriting process as much as it changed me.
I’ve been chasing outcomes my whole life. I’ve been doing this since I was seven years old, always pursuing something. Now it’s more about alignment — trusting that things connect the way they’re meant to.
It’s about energy, people, and connection. That shift has made the process feel more natural and honest.
3. Your sound blends country, soul, and storytelling. How have those influences shaped you?
Honestly, I haven’t actively listened to artists like Zach Bryan, Chris Stapleton, or Leon Bridges.
When I lived in Nashville, I wasn’t even pursuing country music. I was just doing my own thing.
My biggest influence in storytelling actually came from working with a band called Driven Train. They were incredible storytellers, and I learned a lot from producing and recording with them.
As for the soul side, that came later. Playing regularly in Turks and Caicos, especially with the band, exposed me to a lot of blues and soul — artists like Freddie King and Wilson Pickett. That really shaped the feel of what I’m doing now.
At the end of the day, I’m just writing what comes out. I’m not trying to fit into a genre.
4. There’s a strong sense of honesty and minimalism in the production. Was that intentional?
The honesty, yes. The idea of minimalism depends on how you define it.
Compared to modern pop production, my music might feel stripped back, but there’s actually a lot going on underneath.
I experiment a lot when I’m creating. If you were to listen to the individual stems from If I Was A Road, you’d hear how much detail is actually there. The version that was released was shaped to feel more focused and accessible, but there’s a lot of depth behind it.
I’m very conscious of what I’m doing, but I also allow myself to create freely without overthinking it.
5. How has performing live impacted your connection to the song?
Playing live has changed everything for me.
I got invited to sit in with the band one night, and the next day Bob called me and said, “Are you coming back tonight?” I wasn’t trying to impose, but he had already put my name on the board.
That moment stuck with me.
Since then, playing with the band and performing regularly has brought me closer to the kind of music I’ve always wanted to make. The audience response has been amazing, and it’s made the songs feel more real.
6. Are you staying on this path or exploring new directions?
I’m always experimenting.
I have a lot of unreleased material, and I’m constantly writing new songs. Some of the newer work has different influences — I’ve written a track inspired by my time in Morocco with Arabic elements, and others that lean more into rock or alternative.
I’ve never really boxed myself into a genre. I didn’t grow up on country music, so I don’t necessarily see myself as a country artist, even if some of the songs land there.
Everything I do is about exploring and seeing where it goes.
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