Better Than Ezra Q&A
July 29, 2025
A WORD FROM BETTER THAN EZRA
We know that you’ve been desperately wanting more from Better Than Ezra… see what we did there!
We sat down with the band to learn a bit about their music and what they have in store for us in 2026.
Better Than Ezra has maintained a consistent presence in the music scene for decades. How has the band’s creative process evolved over time, and what keeps you inspired?
Our creative process has definitely evolved, but at its core, it’s still about chasing that feeling, when a melody or lyric just clicks and you know it’s something special. Early on, it was all about raw energy and instinct. These days, there’s a little more reflection, collaboration, and maybe even a bit of wisdom (hopefully). What keeps me inspired is simple… life keeps changing. New experiences, new perspectives, and new sounds, all of it feeds into the songs. Plus, getting to connect with fans across generations never gets old.
“Good” was a massive hit that defined a part of the 90s. Looking back, what are your reflections on that period and the song’s enduring popularity?
It’s surreal, honestly. We had no idea when we recorded “Good” that it would become such a defining song of that moment. It was written in a tiny apartment in Baton Rouge and somehow found its way onto radios everywhere. That whole period – the plaid, the flannel, the late-night tour van deep talks – was such a blur of excitement. Seeing the way that song still resonates with people decades later is one of the greatest gifts of my career.
Beyond your well-known singles, are there any album tracks or lesser-known songs that hold a special significance for the band, and why?
Absolutely. A song like “Live Again” from Closer means a lot to us, it came from a place of real vulnerability. “Porcelain” from Deluxe is another one that longtime fans always bring up. And on more recent albums, tracks like “Grateful” or “Undeniable” capture where we are now. Those deep cuts often hold the most personal meaning, and it’s always cool when a fan comes up and says, that one got me through something.
The 90s alternative rock scene had a distinct sound and energy. How do you feel Better Than Ezra fit into that era, and what are your thoughts on how that sound has influenced contemporary music?
The 90s alt-rock scene was a beautiful mess… raw, emotional, and authentic. We were proud to be part of a wave of bands that weren’t afraid to be a little weird and wear their hearts on their sleeves. I think that era’s emphasis on honest songwriting and melodic hooks still echoes in today’s indie and pop-rock scenes. You hear it in artists who blend genres and don’t play by the rules, that spirit lives on.
What are you looking forward to on The 90s Cruise?
Aside from playing shows and sweating through nostalgic singalongs? I’m looking forward to being surrounded by people who get it. Fans, fellow artists, all vibing to the same soundtrack of our youth. Also, where else can you belt out “Semi-Charmed Life” at 2AM with the ocean as your backdrop and no one bats an eye? Count me in.
The 90s were such an amazing period of musical expansion, fashion and technology explosion! What’s one thing you wish would come back and one thing you’re glad we left behind?
I wish we could bring back that feeling of discovering a band from a mixtape or a college radio station. There was magic in the mystery, in not knowing everything instantly. As for something I’m glad we left behind? JNCO jeans. Nobody needs that much unused denim in their life.