9+1 Q&A with Elephant Stone

What inspired you to first start making music? And how did you come to be in your current incarnation? Or if you prefer, a brief bio about you.

Well, I fell in love with the Beatles and The Who when I was 8 (thanks to my big brother) and then it just grew from there. Then I hit adolescence and music was my escape… I could lock myself away for hours playing bass and learning John Entwistle bass lines….
Joined by first band when I was 17 and then started touring…. Here I am 25 years later and doing the same thing.
I started Elephant Stone back in 2006 and have been going pretty steady since then.

Provide us with some info about your latest release…

I took a little Elephant Stone sabbatical after our touring our last release Ship of Fools (2016). I spent time working on my solo Acid House Ragas project as well touring in support of the release of my other band MIEN. All the while I chipped away at new tunes for Elephant Stone. There was a lot going on in my life around then… That’s all reflected in the new album ‘Hollow’. As a father of 3 young children, I am very conscious of the effects of the climate and the world we are leaving them. I am also very inspired by the young activists in the world that are trying to make a difference. Using all this, I wrote the song-suite that occupies side A of the new album; a dystopian tale of a planet dying and it’s in habitants searching for a new home.

Which ones would you consider your main influences both music-wise & non-music-wise?

Musically, it all starts with the Beatles and then grows from there. Non-music wise, I just keep my eyes wide open and take it all in.

In what way does your sound differ from the rest genre-related artists/bands and why should we listen to your music? In other words, how would you describe your sound?

We definitely fit into the “psych rock” niche. I don’t mind. It’s the music I’ve been making my whole adult life… I guess what sets us apart is my use of the sitar across our discography; it looms very large in our legacy.

Please name your 3 desert islands albums, movies & books…

Revolver, When I was born for the 7th time, bandwagonesque, midnight’s children.

Do you prefer studio or performing live and why?

Both are very different experiences and they both offer something wonderful. I am a bit of a loner… so I think I prefer being locked in my studio:)

Is there any funny-unique story you would like to share with us, always in relation to your music ‘career’?

When touring with the Black Angels back in 2012 in Australia, I found myself performing sitar on stage with Beck at the Harvest festival.On the first night I saw perform “Loser” and decided I needed to be on stage with him the next night performing sitar. Lo and behold, I made it happen.

Which track of your own would you point out as the most unique and why?

I think “A Silent Moment” off my 2013 release Elephant Stone is pretty special. Pundit Vinay Bhide performs indian classical vocals on it… stunning. I don’t think there’s any other current band that can match our sound on that one.

Would you like to share with our readers your future plans?

Lots of touring and more music to come.

Free question!!! (Ask yourself a question) you wish to answer and haven’t been given the opportunity…

Thanks!

Photo credits: Bowen Stead

Curated by: Christos Doukakis

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