Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"Somewhere between Mates of State, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, and a minimalist Broadway composition is the ground on which Elephant Parade have built this tune. It’s beautiful in its simplicity, and draws its strength from the fact that it isn’t overdone. Much like Mo Tucker’s contribution of “After Hours� to the Velvet Underground catalogue, “Goodbye� isn’t about amazing female vocals. It’s a plain and simple presentation of emotion."
- You ain't no Picasso
"...what they do together is record whispery, juvenile songs in their bedrooms, with acoustic guitar and piano accompaniment. Their lyrics are terrific, the harmonies wonderfully sweet, and it sounds a little bit like a Karen Anne album, only more introverted."
"What's amazing about this album is that just like that, from nowhere, they hand you ten songs that instantly tear your heart apart."
-- 4/5.
(Gal Uchovsky) - Time Out Tel Aviv
BY COLLIN VEENSTRA
Repeat "I like riding in your car," 10 times in two minutes, and you will have one of the premier tracks from Elephant Parade's Bedroom Recordings, logically titled "Riding in Your Car."
Simplicity is key to this New York-bred duo. Even the packaging of this 10-track album displays a less-is-more feel, with only a bare, wood wall displayed on both the case and CD.
Their words are simple. Phrases such as, "I like you. You don't make me cry," are common. But the depth behind Estelle and Ido's (surnames lacking) vocals, who sing both solos and duets throughout the album, gives these schoolyard lyrics a haunting maturity.
While some artists pride themselves on album titles with hidden meanings, Bedroom Recordings is literally, well ... bedroom recordings. The CD was recorded in various bedrooms throughout Manhattan. The keyboard's sound quality suffered slightly from the use of these cost-effective recording methods. But, for the most part, it is hard to tell that this was a CD birthed from random locales, free software and PC chat microphones.
Elephant Parade is one of the heavy hitters in New York's rising indie scene but a well-kept secret in indie music. But, thanks to the Internet and iTunes, it is easy to get hooked on the band's mesmerizing feel ... if you know to look for them in the first place.
Their voices are barely above a whisper. Their choruses are indiscernible and often non-existent. Yet, it is the sheer simplicity behind this lo-fi, indie band that makes Bedroom Recordings so infectious. This album contains an inexplicable Zen factor that leads you to a complete state of calm—a perfect companion to any long drive in the middle of nowhere. - Boise Weekly
Don't they look peaceful lying there in the grass? I think I need to do some of that too. Elephant Parade is Estelle and Ido. This dreamy pop duo combines super laid back whisp-ish vocals with acoustic guitar and fun catchy Casio/piano melodies. You can definitely listen to this music while laying down in your favorite park, I promise it'll be worth it. Based on some of their show pictures, they sit right next to eachother playing on the same keyboard, which is totally rad. They toured briefly so we probably won't get a chance to see them live...sucks. EP released an LP "Bedroom Recordings" last year and got great feedback. We have 3 songs for you to check out! - BBQ Chicken Robot
"Less is so much more with this super tasteful duo because they only use the choicest harmonies, guitar/keyboard orchestrations, and the sparsest lyrical inclusions are supremely filling." - Jezebel Music
Discography
"Bedroom Recordings" LP 2006 (self-released)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Estelle first met Ido at a bad eighties party in New York’s east village. The pair found a lot of common grounds when trying to compose a list of music they would play if they could take over the DJ booth. They came to know each other better: Estelle was a veteran of the Gainesville, FL indie pop scene, where she released two albums with Brittle Stars (ShelfLife records) and has been recording (and performing) with New York rock group, Human Television (Gigantic records). Ido, a video artist from Israel, was at the time playing with a New York rock band called Pale Blue Jeans.
Together, they formed Elephant Parade in the spring of 2005, recording songs in their bedrooms using cheap PC-chat microphones and freeware audio software. They started playing shows that summer, performing at such New York City venues as CBGB’s, Sin-e, Delancey, Northsix and Pianos, along with such artists as Beirut, and Chris Garneau, while generating buzz about town.
After being praised by numerous mp3 blogs (including the trend setting 3hive.com and You ain't no Picasso), Elephant Parade's myspace profile quickly shot to the top of the myspace charts. Today the band enjoys a steady spot on myspace's top 50 folk and indie charts, over 145,000 plays and 5,000 fans. Elephant Parade's recent video, for "Goodbye", has quickly passed the 10,000 views counter on youtube.
In 2006 the pair released Bedroom Recordings, a home made LP. Available only online and with no promotion whatsoever, the pair sold hundreds of copies of the album out of their tiny bedroom in New York, making Elephant Parade a prominent independent act in the local indie scene.
The band is now working on their new album, set for release later this year.
Links
