My Elephant Ride Beyond The Skin Interview

My Elephant Ride Make Cosmic and Soulful Indie Pop

My Elephant Ride make cosmic and soulful indie pop. They return with the second taste off forthcoming sophomore album 'Beyond the Skin'.

Following this release the band have taken their time to craft their followup. Recorded in various locations between Bali and Melbourne, the group has closely collaborated to hone a more pop-oriented sound while honouring their individual idiosyncrasies.

The three core members of My Elephant Ride (Joe Berridge, Chevaunne Keleher and Nathan Abbey) have spent the past year writing and producing their second full-length record. Working on 'Beyond The Skin' long distance between Bali and Melbourne, the group have closely collaborated to hone a more pop-oriented sound while honouring their individual idiosyncrasies.

Exploring love, gender, sexuality, faith and what lies on the other side, Beyond The Skin is out Friday 21st of June.

Tracklist:
Other Side
Diamond Eyes Map Of The Stars
Heels
How To Shine
Heart Heart
I'm An Animal
Lipstick Stain
Papa Come Home
I'll Take You There

Interview with Chevaunne Keleher

Question: How would you describe your music?

Chevaunne Keleher: We like to write about the cosmic side of life, combining elements of psych, pop and folk. We try to keep our guitars and synths spacey and our vocals heartfelt.

Question: What inspired Beyond the Skin?

Chevaunne Keleher: The three of us wanted to put our heads together and make an album and I think a lot of the commonalities in our writing styles were accentuated – we were sort of writing for each other but also using material we had that fit the vibe. We liked to foster a space for the ethereal in a lot of the subject matter.


Question: Can you talk us through your writing process?

Chevaunne Keleher: We traveled between Bali and Melbourne to write and record together which was pretty amazing. We set up DIY spaces in Canggu, Bali, and a studio in Abbotsford and used them to drink coffees, share song snippets, and take turns recording demo ideas and adding quirky samples. A lot of the collaborating was done through the computer, workshopping the arrangements on each other's ideas. Canggu involved a homestay where we hung up blankets on the walls for soundproofing. I don't know if it really worked but it was pretty cosy.


Question: What message do you hope listeners take from Beyond the Skin?

Chevaunne Keleher: It's important to not take what you see before you for granted, and keep a sense of wonder about the mysteries of love, identity, the universe and the power within.


Question: What is the story behind the band name?

Chevaunne Keleher: It's a picture of life moving along like a slow strange wonky adventure.


Question: How did the band come together?
Chevaunne Keleher: We met in University; you drink enough chai lattes together at the café next door eventually you become a band.


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Chevaunne Keleher: I've been getting into a bit of Hindustani classical – Kaushiki Chakraborty is my favourite at the moment. And locally, been listening to Aldous Harding's new album, and Ainslie Wills' new stuff – can't wait for her next release!


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Chevaunne Keleher: The moment I first heard Believe by Cher I knew who I wanted to be. But think we've all been pretty inspired by local labels Milk!, Flightless, Bedroom Suck, and so many more labels setting an awesome example for indie Australian musos.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Chevaunne Keleher: Would love to collaborate with Blake Mills (Alabama Shakes, John Legend, Dawes)! He's an incredible musician/producer, and everything he touches is magic.


Question: Question: What's a typical day like?

Chevaunne Keleher: We start grumpy and hungry and then we eat and have coffee and laugh a lot and then try to get some things done. Maybe we rerecord the same keys part 18 times. Maybe we delegate some emails. Maybe we do the lamb's blood ritual, it really depends.

Can you share your socials?

Chevaunne Keleher: Facebook
Youtube
Bandcamp
Soundcloud
@myelephantride


Interview by Brooke Hunter