Elonzo Wesley: The String Band With An Indie Rock Approach

There have been any number of bands that started out in one mode only to wind up in another sooner or later. In one of our film documentaries, Amanda Anne Platt talked about thinking that she was a rock and roller at first, only to have an artist friend tell her that the songs she was writing were country songs instead. The scenario where young musicians bang out power chords early on before growing into an acoustic adulthood is fairly common. And then there are hybrids: pioneering acoustic guitarist Billy Strings said that he learned to play music by playing bluegrass, but he learned how to perform by playing in a metal band. The band Elonzo Wesley is unique in this conversation, not in that its members have largely rock and roll beginnings which evolved into an acoustic present, but in the approach that they use in expanding their sound far beyond just these two points in the musical spectrum. Their lyrics set them apart as well, revealing a keen awareness of the human condition. And their songs are good no matter what the backdrop.

(R to L) Dennis Contreras, Taylor Winchester and Jeremy Davis perform at the Fillmore in Charlotte, NC

In this episode, Elonzo Wesley members Jeremy Davis, Taylor Winchester and Dennis Contreras talk about the concept of their sound, how influences like Radiohead are still present in their music, the inclusive nature of the Charlotte music scene, and an after hours tour story that ended surprisingly better than it began. Along the way, you will hear music from their performances in March 2020 at Pisgah Brewing in Black Mountain, NC and at WNCW just ahead of that show, plus their cover of a song by My Morning Jacket. We get commentary from writer and photographer Daniel Coston about the band and his Queen City hometown, too.

Jeremy Davis and Taylor Winchester of Elonzo Wesley in their Southern Songs and Stories interview

Thanks for listening, and stay tuned for episodes on Elizabeth Cook and Paul Thorn soon! - Joe

Songs heard in this episode:

Elonzo Wesley “Them Houses” live at Pisgah Brewing 3-13-20

Elonzo Wesley “Golden” (single)

“Everything In Its Right Place” by Radiohead from Kid A excerpt

“Rule Of 7” from Elonzo Wesley live on WNCW 03-11-20

“Traveling Song” by Elonzo Wesley live at Pisgah Brewing 3-13-20

Do You Know Your Own Gravity? Traveling To The Imaginary Worlds Of Los Coast

Tell me if this ever happened to you before: a new band impresses you with their debut album, and when you get to see their live show, they blow you away with an array of extra layers to their sound. Such is my experience with Austin, Texas band Los Coast. Their first record, Samsara, contained a diverse but tightly knit variety of styles and influences, from Motown to jazz to gospel, and even a hint of avant-garde. And their lyrics! Front man Trey Privott’s lyrics hit me like a ton of bricks. Guitarist John Courtney described their MO in an earlier interview this way: “We want to provide an experience for people to discover deep things about themselves if they close their eyes and zone into it, while simultaneously providing an experience for people who just want to have fun, to do so, in a sort of magical playful way. I guess in summary: the rabbit hole can get as deep as the listener wants it to.”

Los Coast sound checks barefoot with a Gillian Welch tune in Black Mountain, NC 9-28-19

Southern Songs and Stories is produced in partnership with public radio station WNCW and Osiris Media, and is available on podcast platforms everywhere. Please help spread awareness of the artists featured here on Southern Songs and Stories, their music, and this series by simply subscribing to the podcast and giving it a good rating and a comment where you get your podcasts. For example, you can find us on Apple/iTunes here, on Stitcher here, and Spotify here. Our theme songs are by Joshua Meng, with a link to his music here. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. Enjoy! - Joe Kendrick

Songs heard in this episode (all performed live at Pisgah Brewing Company 9/28/19):

“Cymatics” (excerpt)

“Masquerade”

“(Everything But The) Kitchen Sink”

“Monsters”