April 10, 2011 / Alan Junior
Elle Graham: “Woods” Album Launch
On Friday night I attended the launch of Elle Graham’s new album: “Woods”. It was held at the trendy, new, art space: Cereal Box. $5 entry was a small price to pay for the performance and effort that went into the amazing vibe of the small urban space. Cereal Box is great, because the space tends to transform into whatever it needs to be on the night of an event. On friday night, it was a very magical, gypsy themed happening. The front portion of the room had the album sales point, and a bar, plus couches, a Nintendo 64, and lots of great art on the walls by the likes of local artists such as Robert Crispe, Jordan Grant, Eric Nash, etc. The back section of the funky venue was darkened, with projection art by Robert Crispe. The floor was covered with homely rugs and sprinkled with paper cut snowflakes. In the corner was Elle’s performance space, draped with what could only be described as magic, but in reality, white fabrics with special lighting spread across them, and dream catchers hanging from the ceiling, plus more paper cut snowflakes strung up and twinkling fairy-lights (I’m probably missing some finer details, don’t hate me!).
When it was time for performance, a short sound check was completed, and everyone filed into the back room. As Elle started to play and sing, wearing her red cape, a dancer emerged from a cave to the side and kept consistent with the soft music that filled the room. Some of the songs featured many different inputs, like a synthesiser, guitar, beat boxer, and viola. Elle also shared a special moment with the audience when a friend surprised her by showing up to the launch. She also thanked the guests, the venue, her family, friends, and everyone who worked on her new album. Elle is a great artist, I think she really has her style pinned down, which makes her unique from other performers. Her voice matches the space, the performance, the clothes she wears, the thinness of her frame and her long blonde hair. It’s all consistent. I was able to get a video of her song (labelled “The Actor” on her album) below, I have no idea if filming was allowed, but it’s not a pro-job anyway, and would only serve to get her name and music out there. If you want studio quality, you’re going to have to buy the album! I will talk about that after the video. :)
(My apologies for the iPhone vertical video… I’ll try not to do it again.)
The album itself is quite a nice package too. It features 8 songs, on a black CD with white print by Robert Crispe (who’s art also graces the front cover). The packaging is on recycled cardboard (sustainable WIN!) and includes a poster by Jordan Grant, also printed on recycled paper, along with the track listing and lyrics, a tale about the creation of the album, thank-yous and credits. The front cover’s art is based on Photography by Brad Tennant, and the back by Mitch Nordine (also the composer/producer).
Woods is a great little piece, and a true, sincere work of art in today’s culture of pop and dance tracks. If you’d like to know more about Elle, or buy her album, visit her facebook page for details.
-Alan Junior