Elderbrook – Old Friend

By starrymag | January 23, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) It very much fits into the world of electronic/indie music, but with live, organic touches and, of course, I sing over everything as well.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) People like LCD Soundsystem, Gorillaz, Jamie XX, Bonobo. I’m influenced by all different kinds of music though. Artists like these; however, I feel like sonically I can relate more to.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Old Friend.”

 

A) “Old Friend” is about that feeling you get when you spend time around people from your past. When you’re around old friends and you instantly slip into the same person you used to be – maybe bringing out the worst in you.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) I think it’s a feeling that everyone can relate to in some way whether it’s family, friends, lovers or whatever you can imagine. Different people bring out different sides of you. Good and bad!

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) Well, the visual for the song focuses on wolves. They are the demons within us that creep out when among those from our past. They also fit in nicely to the fact that dogs are “man’s oldest friends…” or so I’ve heard.

 

Q) Talk about working with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs on the track “Bird Song.”

 

A) I was out in LA a few months ago. I go out there every so often to write music and work with people there. I think I work well out there because being away from home gives me a unique perspective and allows me to really get into a writing frame of mind. I had a day working with TEED in his studio out there. I was looking forward to writing with him a lot as I’m a genuine fan of his. I remember taking a lot from listening to his stuff and applying it to my own writing and production back when I was first starting out. I love what he can do with synths, chords and vocal melody and it just worked so well.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Not every time! It changes each time, but usually I do work from music first – even if it’s just simple chords and drums. I usually after that point start to mumble random phonetic sounds until I get something I like. After that I make it into real words and try and make sense of the whole thing. Once I’ve got some words, I think work well than the rest of the song (lyrically speaking) kind of just falls into place.

 

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I produce it! Sometimes with other people, sometimes by myself.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Elderbrook performance?

 

A) All original stuff. I play as much as I can live- looping stuff in and out, triggering. I play keys and a drum machine as well, all of this as well as singing.

 

Q) What songs off your Old Friend EP are you looking forward to performing live?

 

A) Well, I’ve been playing “Capricorn” and “Sleepwalking” for a while now. I’ve loved playing them (especially “Sleepwalking”), but I think “Bird Song” will be a really interesting one to play live cause it’s a little more chilled and different to the others.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new EP as a whole?

 

A) All four of the songs have a lot of descriptive imagery in them and definitely create a visual scene in my head. I just hope others get the same thing.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) I love playing in London cause that’s where I live and grew up. It’s always amazing playing a hometown show because all the people I know, and love are there. Also, London is the first place I have ever played music so a lot of the people at those shows have been seeing me play live since the beginning!

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I’ve been listening to a lot of Houndmouth recently. I love their sound so much. It’s just fun, I guess. They remind me a bit of a mixture between Kings of Leon and MGMT – two bands that I love. The lyrics are amazing as well- very straight to the point and sometimes quite tongue and cheek which is something I always love.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s just so immediate, which is great for releasing new music or getting info about a tour or shows out there to the people that might want to know! It’s also a chance to show other creative, more aesthetic elements to Elderbrook – be it in a picture or video (which is something I like having fun with).

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you for being here so far! I got a LOT more to give xoxo <3

 

 

Watch The “Old Friend” Video: