ELEL’s self-titled debut EP is out this week on Mom + Pop Music. The ELEL EP features four tracks from the Nashville indie-pop collective, including the band’s effervescent breakout single “40 Watt.”
“40 Watt” has been featured on SiriusXM’s Alt Nation, KCRW, Music That Matters by KEXP, and Song of the Day by The Current.
Watch “40 Watt” video
Watch “40 Watt” lyric video
ELEL, consisting of two horns, two drums, three keys, guitar, bass and whole lot of vocals, was born from frontman Ben Elkins meeting a girl named Eliska. Ben’s now wife softened his edges while introducing him to the likes of Beach House and Toro Y Moi. Speaking on ELEL, Ben says, “It’s the outcome of me producing music that risks leaving space and communicates emotion easily and softly.” This band represents a new start for its members, for a variety of reasons. Tied together by the bustling Nashville music scene but from an array of locations, ELEL includes Ben (Arkansas), Zach (Kentucky), Tim (Mississippi), Jo Jo (Queens, NY), Alex (Pennsylvania), and life-long Nashvillians (so far) Frederick, Jerry and Stefan. According to Ben, “’40 Watt’ is a big loud dance song about dancing with one other person in a little bitty house.” We have more exciting news very soon.
ELEL is currently on tour and will be playing several showcases at SXSW next month, including The Wild Honey Pie Presents The Beehive.
3/03 – Black Cat Backstage – Washington, DC
3/04 – Cat’s Cradle Backroom – Carrboro, NC
3/05 – Savannah Stopover Music Festival – Savannah, GA
3/06 – Tin Roof – Charleston, SC
3/07 – The Music Room – Atlanta, GA
3/08 – JJ’s Bohemia – Chattanooga, TN
3/14 – The Stone Fox – Nashville, TN
3/18-21 – SXSW Music Festival – Austin, TX
3/22 – Spillover Music Festival – Dallas, TX
3/25 – Lost Lake Lounge – Denver, CO
3/26 – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
3/27 – Treefort Music Festival – Boise, ID
3/28 – The Bartlett – Spokane, WA
3/29 – The Crocodile – Seattle, WA
3/30 – Bunk Bar – Portland, OR
4/01 – Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA
4/02 – Bootleg Theater – Los Angeles, CA