I am hanging out today with a band that I insist that you fall in love with. Bringing a sense of energy that is hard to find to the stage, and a set of lyrics meshed with professional instrumentals they impress with the start of each new track. Having a genre that is hard to define and even harder to compare, and throwing a name that makes you nothing but curious, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Elf Power.
Where did you guys come up with the name Elf Power?
Through divine communication.
How long have you guys been together?
We have been together since the first record. It was titled “Vainly Clutching at Phantom Limbs” was recorded in 1994.
Where did you all meet?
In Athens, Georgia. It is where we live.
Where do you find inspiration for new tracks?
Through general life experiences and observations. In art, books, music, and film
You guys are on a pretty substantial tour right now. You guys toured like this before?
Yes we have been touring a lot since 1996.
Do you guys have full time jobs or is music it?
Just music.
What is your favorite venue to play?
I would say the Emmaboda Festival, in Emmaboda, Sweden. It is a festival out in the forest in rural Sweden.
Where can I get some Elf Power merchandise?
Record stores, the Internet, orangetwin.com, and rykodisc.com.
What was it like sharing the stage with Gnarls Barkley?
It was great. They’re a fantastic band
Tell me about working with Rykodisc / Orange Twin Records.
Orange Twin is a record land/conservation community run by members of Elf Power. We release records by lots of great artists including ourselves, we reissue out of print obsure folk and psychedelic records from the 1960a and 1970s. Orange Twin is also a conservation community 5 miles outside of Athens where artists live and work.
Where can I get a copy of your vinyl album?
In record stores or on the Internet.
What was the reason behind putting out a vinyl record?
Rock music to me sounds best on vinyl. All of our albums have been released on vinyl.
Any tattoos in the band?
I have a full back tattoo of a monster truck being impaled on an upside down cross, set against the backdrop of the Canadian flag, with a Concord jet airliner bursting out of the scene, coming towards you.
Who are some of your biggest influences?
Iately I’ve been listening to Robert Wyatt, Misfits, Boris with Michio Kurihara, Nico, Incredible String Band, Buzzcocks, Sweet, and Slade
Where are you guys all from originally?
Athens, South Carolina, Cleveland, Louisiana, Virginia, New Jersey, and Syracuse.
You guys are playing a ton of shows over seas. What was the breaking point into that market?
We have been going to Europe pretty regularly since the late 1990s
Do you have a lot of fans over there?
Yes, in certain areas more than others. We play Spain and Scandinavia a lot.
If you could play with any band in the market right now whom would it be?
Jandek.
How do you guys know Vic Chesnutt?
From around town here in Athens.
What are you guys drinking when you are on stage?
Water or alcohol depending on the night.
I love the design of your website. Who designed that?
Kelly Ruberto.
You guys have a ton of albums. You ever forget the words to your own songs?
Yes sometimes I do, but I can fake it pretty good when that happens.
Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Playing music.
