Austin-born singer-songwriter Elijah Delgado has been connected to music since childhood. Growing up in a city known for its live music scene, he began writing songs at six years old and developed an early ambition to perform professionally. Years later, playing at ACL Festival represents a significant moment in a career shaped by persistence, collaboration, and a lifelong relationship with music.

Recorded during ACL Festival 2026, this conversation, conducted by TMN founder Pablo Herrera, explores Delgado's musical beginnings, his creative process, the ideas behind his five-song EP Wherever You Go, There You Are, and his plans to expand beyond Austin.

Delgado recalls attending concerts as a teenager and discovering the emotional impact of live performance. He describes those experiences as a turning point that motivated him to develop his craft and pursue music seriously. Although he performs under his own name, he considers his project a collaborative effort, with musicians who have accompanied him since his earliest shows.

His songwriting usually begins with an acoustic guitar or a chord progression that establishes the emotional direction of a song. Melodies and arrangements take shape before the lyrics, which he develops around the feelings the music evokes. His influences range from the intimate songwriting of Bon Iver and Gregory Alan Isakov to the indie pop and rock of Phoenix and Young the Giant.

Collaboration plays an essential role in that process. Delgado often prepares demos at home using Logic before bringing them to rehearsals, where each musician contributes ideas and arrangements. For him, those contributions allow the music to develop beyond what he could create alone.

The conversation explores Wherever You Go, There You Are, a five-song EP released during the summer of 2026. Delgado describes the project as a collection of personal reflections on being present, navigating the uncertainty of his early twenties, and maintaining meaningful relationships amid the demands of everyday life. Writing music has become a way to examine those experiences and connect with others facing similar questions.

As his career develops, Delgado discusses the challenges of remaining independent, navigating potential relationships with record labels, and balancing professional ambitions with the realities he cannot control. Rather than trying to predict every outcome, he focuses on writing, performing, and allowing opportunities to develop naturally.

His appearance at ACL carries particular personal significance. Having attended the festival as a young music fan, including a memorable performance by Young the Giant, he now finds himself performing at an event that helped inspire his ambitions. Looking toward 2027, Delgado hopes to tour more extensively and bring his music to audiences beyond Austin.

The interview concludes with his thoughts on social media and the changing responsibilities of independent musicians. He acknowledges the pressure to maintain an online presence while recognizing the opportunities digital platforms provide. His approach centers on intentionality, continued growth, and learning to adapt as the music industry evolves.

Read the full interview with Elijah Delgado on our blog.

📍 Recorded at ACL Fest 2026

🎙️ Interview by Pablo Herrera

✍🏼 Edited by Pablo Herrera

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