Local Sounds: Bent By Elephants
Bent by Elephants formed about three and a half years ago when the guitarist Luke Fowlie decided to start looking for a singer to compose melodies that would compliment his soulful and intricate guitar parts. Luckily for him, he met Chelsey at a party thrown by one of their mutual friends who wanted them to team up, so that she could demonstrate her bike chain playing skills. This sadly never happened, but it did lead to the creation of Bent by Elephants. Once this dynamic duo was established, they searched no further than their acquaintances and the McGill University music hallways to find drummer Eric Dew, bassist Paul Van Dyk, trumpet and trombone players Ryan Frizzell and Alexander Whyte.
Their sound is a fusion of many different styles and influences. For instance, guitarist Luke Fowlie enjoys listening to field recordings and African music, and this influence can be heard specifically through the plaintive harmonies sung on “Salinity Blues” from the band’s debut album This Is Water. Some of their other influences include PJ Harvey, Joni Mitchell, Konono no 1, dance and jazz music.
Bent by Elephants remain unsigned, but have independently released the BBE EP in 2009 and their first full length, entitled This Is Water, in 2010, which they recorded at Breakglass Studios in Montreal. The melodic, lyrical, rhythmic and orchestral aspects of the songs were written in three separate groups and then worked on together, which allowed for every band member to have equal input.
The band has also had the privilege of playing the Guelph Hillside Festival in Ontario as well as having their song “Can’t Have You” be featured on an episode of Degrassi. They will be very busy this summer touring in Ontario and some parts of the U.S. BBE are currently working on new material for their next album. Listeners can expect more of the same eclectic and lush arrangements, except now we might be inclined to dance instead of slowly sway to their music.
To listen to some music by Bent By Elephants, you can check them out on Facebook and Myspace . Also, you can purchase This Is Water and BBE EP here.
