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Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Eliza Neals

Eliza Neals is a Detroit-born blues-rock force, and on her 13th studio album, Thunder in the House, she leans fully into the elements that have always made her sound hit different: grit, soul, spirituality, and the unmistakable heartbeat of the city that raised her.

Growing up on Acacia Street on the outskirts of Detroit, Neals absorbed a wide “musical gumbo” from the start—shaped by the revolutionary sounds of the so-called “Paris of the Midwest,” and grounded in her indigenous Armenian heritage. That mix of cultures, church-and-street reality, and Detroit’s hard-earned swagger became the foundation of her voice as both an artist and songwriter. Armed with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wayne State University and deeply influenced by her friendship with the late songwriting legend Barrett Strong (known for work with artists like Marvin Gaye and The Temptations), Neals developed the kind of musical discipline and emotional truth that can’t be faked.

Thunder in the House is where all of that history meets something deeper. The album carries a connection between the supernatural and the spiritual, channeling themes of protection, guidance, and resilience. Neals frames the record with the essence of the goddess Isis—threading sacred blues tones, soulful riffs, and fierce rock energy into a nine-song collection she describes as an “antidote for the soul.” These songs don’t just process darkness—they transform it, turning hard emotions into infectious grooves, bold hooks, and a forward-driving sense of survival.

Visually, the album’s message is just as rooted. The cover places Eliza back on Acacia Street, mirroring the symbolism of the Acacia tree itself—an image of grounding, endurance, and divine protection. It’s a statement of where she comes from and what continues to hold her steady: connection, faith, and a love of humanity that runs through her songwriting.

The record is powered by a deep bench of Detroit talent and trusted collaborators. Neals reunites with her longtime friend and Billboard-charting producer/guitarist Michael Puwal (known for work connected to Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Alberta Adams), who returns in multiple roles—co-producer, songwriter, and engineer at Univox1 in Milton, Florida. Detroit bassist Doug Woern and drummer Steve Lacross anchor the foundation, alongside Flint, Michigan drummer Justin Headley (associated with Butch Trucks and DeSoto Tiger), delivering a groove that stays thick, steady, and dangerous when it needs to be.

Keyboards bring extra firepower, with standout contributions from Mark “Muggie Doo” Leach (Buddy Miles, Micki Free) and “Detroit” Mike Hepner (Brian Lee, Kid Royal) on Hammond B3 and grand piano. From the New England blues scene, guitarist Frankie Maneiro (connected to Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson) adds raw edge and bite. The album was mastered by Dave Feeny (associated with The White Stripes) at Tempermill in Ferndale, Michigan, giving the final mixes a punch that matches the record’s title.

At the center of it all is Neals herself—writing deep at the piano and Rhodes, layering vocals, and building a postmodern blues-rock-soul sound that feels both rooted and fearless. Thunder in the House doesn’t play it safe. It’s the sound of an artist reaching below the surface, pulling up lightning, and bottling it into songs meant to lift people up.

Because when there’s Thunder in the House, you don’t just hear it—you feel it.

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