Elephant Tree to Enter Studio Jan. 5
Once upon a whenever it was, a certain Elephant Tree bassist/vocalist — one Peter Holland — bestowed on my unworthy head what I think is one of the highest compliments an Englishman can give an American when he said, “You understand our humour.” And yes, he pronounced the ‘u.’ I therefore feel justified at the chuckle I got in reading the line in their gonna-make-a-new-album announcement below that notes it’ll be “that same old Elephant Tree magic but this time imagine it different.” And oh, by the way, they’re a four-piece now. Good fun.
Actually, they’ve been playing as a four-piece here and there for a while now, and they recorded their 2014 first EP, Theia (review here) as one before paring down to a trio for 2016’s triumphant self-titled debut full-length (review here), but I guess bringing John Slattery into the studio makes that more or less official. Riley MacIntyre, who was the fourth on that EP and worked on the LP alongside the aforementioned Holland, guitarist/vocalist Jack Townley and drummer Sam Hart, will once again be at the helm as producer. If it ain’t broke.
And indeed, it ain’t. After the self-titled, an initial US incursion at Psycho Las Vegas in 2017, slated involvement in the forthcoming Planet of Doom animated film project, and multiple European tours including an extensive one this Fall with Mothership and Stoned Jesus, it seems to me momentum is well on Elephant Tree‘s side heading into their second record, and while I rarely say this kind of thing, in light of the fact that they’re looking for a new label, I fail to see what would stop someone like Napalm Records from picking them up. Releasing through Magnetic Eye again would be great, but if they’re looking for a new outlet, fine. They’ve proven themselves on stage and in the studio. Their social media and promotional presence is dead-on. They tour hard, and they’ve found a sound that is distinct in its personality and execution while remaining rooted in automatically familiar song structures and genre tropes bent to their will. They’re poised in the next couple years to stand as forerunners of the next generation of London’s heavy scene. What more would a record label want in a prospective band?
My A&R musings aside, it’s safe to say Elephant Tree‘s sophomore outing is high on my list of most anticipated records for 2019. From the couple songs I was fortunate enough to see live in October at Høstsabbat (review here), only more so.
They play their last live show of the year this weekend in Manchester. Info on that and their recording announcement follow:
AN IRISHMAN, A CANADIAN AND THREE ENGLISHMEN WALK INTO A STUDIO….
SHOCK HORROR; ELEPHANT TREE MEMBERS TO SPEND MORE TIME INDOORS!
That’s right. It’s finally time for us to announce that we have finally committed to ink our intention to enter the studio once again.
Starting 5th of January we will be headed back into the dark depths of the studio to work on our as-yet-unnamed album. With practices in full swing, and songs coming together like a quality macaroni cheese pie, there will soon be a thunderous call from over the horizon. We are still looking for an avenue of release as of yet and haven’t confirmed anything on that front (despite what the rumour mill may churn out…) and can’t offer up any scope of a release date yet, but we are open to all offers!
Returning to produce melody out of madness, Riley MacIntyre is back in the saddle. Not satisfied with having only two nationalities, John Slattery will be tackling Synths and extra guitar duties, as the latest addition to the line-up. Expect more of that same old Elephant Tree magic but this time imagine it different…
We’ll be posting regular updates from writing all the way through to mastering so keep an eye out for any official news here, more of which to follow tomorrow…!
Elephant Tree live:
Nov. 25 Sophie Lancaster Festival Manchester UK
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