Eva Via’s ‘Wrong Way Down a One-Way’: A Rock 'n’ Roll Adventure in Reverse

From the wide, windblown fields of Iowa to the pulsating heart of live music scenes across the globe, Eva Via’s journey is anything but conventional. A farm girl turned globetrotting musician, Via brings a rare depth to her art, drawing on her experiences as a psychologist, explorer, and stand-up comedian to craft songs that are as thought-provoking as they are infectious. Her latest single, Wrong Way Down a One-Way, is no exception. It’s a bold, rollicking duet that feels equal parts rock opera, retro jam session, and animated fairytale.

As Via puts it herself, the song is “Yes meets Jerry Lee Lewis meets Disney Princess, in all the best ways.” And somehow, that surreal combination makes perfect sense.

The story behind Wrong Way Down a One-Way is as vibrant as the track itself. It was conceived not in a studio or writer’s room, but in the front seat of Via’s RV while she was hurtling east along Interstate 40 from Oklahoma City to Memphis. Her mind was abuzz with inspiration after four days of near-nonstop jamming at JJ’s Alley Bricktown Pub, one of OKC’s most beloved live music venues, where she found herself onstage with some of the world’s best tribute artists impersonating Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

“I felt like it was the beginning of a bad joke, or maybe the A Christmas Carol of rock and roll,” she laughs. “Literal Elvis walked in. Well, not literal literal, but basically literal.”

This dreamlike encounter birthed the idea: what would a duet with Elvis sound like, if Eva herself got to write it?

What followed was a sonic tribute to America's golden era of rock and roll, stitched together with modern flair and cheeky storytelling. Wrong Way Down a One-Way stars a renegade rock star and a roving RVer whose misadventures and musical chemistry spark against the neon-soaked backdrop of Oklahoma City. “One thing I love about this tune is that Oklahoma City is very much one of the characters,” says Via.

Indeed, the city plays a central role in the song’s narrative and vibe. Listeners will find themselves bouncing between landmarks like Bricktown, Tower Theater, Angry Scotsman Brewing, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial, all while following a storyline that’s light, rebellious, and irresistibly fun.

Musically, the track is a genre-bending joyride. It opens with clear nods to the 1950s: Jerry Lee Lewis-style piano, a crunchy acoustic guitar with a modern spin on the classic 12-bar blues, and a bass drum that hits like a thunderclap yet feels weightless. From the very first beat, you're pulled into the world Via has built. It’s confident, nostalgic, and exhilarating.

The male voice kicks off the first verse, a deliberate choice that flips traditional dynamics on their head. “People often say, ‘They’re your songs—you should sing first,’” Via explains. “But my songs always have strong female protagonists. I’m the ‘therefore,’ I’m the ‘but,’ so it makes narrative sense for the guy to start. Too often, women in music are just reacting to male action. Not in my work.”

As the narrative unfolds, just when you think you’ve settled into a bluesy groove—bam!—in crashes the chorus: an epic, Yes-inspired explosion of sound. Ten vocal harmonies interweave like a kaleidoscope, underpinned by lush synths, organs, electric piano, beefy basslines, and a full drum kit that sweeps from one speaker to the other with cinematic flair.

One of the song’s highlights is the guitar solo, performed not on electric but on acoustic guitar as a nod to the King himself. “There had to be a modulation, a lift,” says Via, “something that feels like the adventure of a lifetime.”

True to form, Via recorded the core of Wrong Way Down a One-Way from her RV, before bringing in a top-tier ensemble of musicians from around the globe to complete the track. The result is a sparkling fusion of vintage swagger and contemporary brilliance.

Whether you’re a rock purist, a fan of intricate storytelling, or simply in search of a track that’ll make you feel like a badass just for listening, Wrong Way Down a One-Way is the kind of song that demands repeat plays. It’s loud, clever, wild, and unmistakably Eva Via.

If you haven’t heard it yet, you’re missing out on one hell of a ride.