Elonzo was an independent rock band based out of Rock Hill, South Carolina area. In the heart of the Carolina Piedmont, they wrote songs about everyday life: sitting around on the front porch, watching the train go by, loss of loved ones, childhood, their hometown and their dreams. Elonzo's music represents some of the most classic elements of the Southeastern United States: earnestness, good story-telling, and an awareness of tragedy that never seems too far around the corner. The band's sound can transform from stripped alt-country to a richer, more expansive vision that reflects the meaningfulness of the ties that bind us together. Mostly, it sounds like rock and roll.
Elonzo | |
|---|---|
 Elonzo performing at The Courtroom at Gettys in Rock Hill in 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Rock Hill, South Carolina United States |
| Genres | Rock, Americana, country rock |
| Years active | 2008-2015 |
| Labels | independent |
| Members | Jeremy Davis Maggie Davis-Bourdeau Steven Narron Ben Haney |
| Website | http://elonzo.bandcamp.com/ |
History
editElonzo is a family band- Jeremy Davis and Maggie Bourdeau are brother and sister and the heart of the band. They grew up in Summerville, S.C., in a musical household. “We didn’t really play together, but we both always played music,” Davis says.[1] The siblings formed Elonzo in 2008 along with Maggie's husband, Dan Bourdeau. The band is named after the siblings’ father, who died in 1992. The name was Dan's idea — Davis says using his father's name never crossed his mind.[2] They recorded and released their first album "All My Life" in 2008. Bassist Dennis Contreras was added as they began playing live shows in the region, and in late 2009 they released a four-song ep titled simply "EP". After that the band started working on their second full-length record "A Letter to a Friend", which was released in early 2011 to good reviews from local and regional critics. Contreras left the band and was replaced by Stephen Narron, and they put out a holiday ep titled "Be Released (It's Christmas)" at the end of 2011. Almost all of the tracks on these albums were recorded by Davis in his own house, and all were self-released.[3] Elonzo have become a staple in the South Carolina music scene and are currently recording a third full-length album, tracks from which are being released on the band's website as they are finished. Some reviews have called their brand of rock "hard to pin down"[4] but that's not what's important. As Jeremy Davis says, "We are a rock and roll band. We drink whiskey. We are not a folk band, or a “insert genre” band. We are loud. We want to come to your town, and we love you".[4] In December 2014, bassist Stephen Narron announced to the group that he would be moving to take up a job and would be leaving the band.[citation needed] At this point in the band's history, Maggie only being available part-time due to family, it seemed change was inevitable.[citation needed] With a longing to be able to hit the road to fully support his recorded efforts, Jeremy Davis announced in January 2015 that he would be continuing as a solo artist under the name Elonzo Wesley.[citation needed]
Band members
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Jeremy Davis - vocals, guitar, harmonica |
Dennis Contreras - bass |
Justin Parrish - banjo |
Discography
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Recognitions
editReferences
edit- ^ Patrick Wall (2011-06-08). "Elonzo: Family Matters". Shuffle Magazine. Shufflemag.com. Archived from the original on 2012-05-09. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ Stefan Rogenmoser (2 April 2010). "Elonzo performs at Montreux tonight". The Summerville Journal Scene. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
- ^ James Stanford (4 April 2011). "Review: Southern rockers Elonzo bring welcome change with A Letter to a Friend". This Coast. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
- ^ a b Corey (2011-11-30). "INTERVIEW: ELONZO". Wearetheupstate.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ "Meredith's Top Albums of TwentyTen". Scene SC-South Carolina's Music Playground. Scenesc.com. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ "Guest List: David Stringer". Shuffle Magazine. Shufflemag.com. 2011-12-13. Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ "What Is Your Favorite SC Album of the Year?". Scene SC-South Carolina's Music Playground. Scenesc.com. 2011-10-25. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ Reed, Bryan (2012-02-07). "Charlotte's Best Albums of 2011". Charlotteviewpoint.org. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
- ^ "Myrtle Beach Music: 101 releases that defined our region in 2011". Listenupmb.com. ListenUp Myrtle Beach. 2011-12-26. Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2012-03-21.