Eli Waltz is a folk artist and traveler who built his unique Americana 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 an unexpected path.

He spent years in China, South America, the Middle East and Europe rambling and busking to make ends meet, and developed a harmonica, fingerpicking guitar and songwriting style, which drew upon a wide array of influences like Celtic Folk, American Folk, Blues and Country, and at times Traditional Chinese music and Classical music.

For a time, Waltz settled in Washington, D.C., and embraced the bartending life and 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 his regulars, and discovered musical muses like Townes Van Zandt and Dave Van Ronk.

Since his debut four years ago, Waltz has released six EPs, eight 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 is touring Europe, England, Ireland and the United States in 2025. He will also release a number of new singles and EPs this year.