ELVYN’s Everybody is Calling My Name is one of my favorite songs of the last couple of months.

“… the vibe was right and of course the guitar assault at the end was executed flawlessly.  Reminiscent of a 70’s Eagles vibe.”

Check out what else  Joel (Drums, Vocals) and Ryan Beerman (Lead guitar, Lead Vocals) have to say about this song  and Elvyn’s last album, Valley of the Kilowatt Hour, a power pop gem.

 

What was the biggest fun during the making of the last album? 

 

Ryan – The real fun came in creating the over dub tracks after the bed tracks were laid down,  the lead parts and vocal harmonies are what we really focused on and we spent a lot of time making sure each song had something special in it for the listener.

 

Joel – It was a long process recording “Valley of the kilowatt hour”, each song was recorded several times, different ways, faster, slower…. But it was fun to hear the songs grow and take shape with each take.  We really wanted each song to stand on it’s own. We purposely kept most of the songs under or around the 3 minute mark.  The idea was that once the album was over, the listener would want to immediately play it again… leaving you wanting more.

 

If we want to know you, which song do we have to listen to? And why?

 

Ryan – A.M….. it’s about a realization that no matter what sound your trying to capture, it’s always going to have to live up to the original great rock bands that started it all from the early 50s-mid 70s. It’s really out of the love for the song writing and the tones of that era, that we keep chasing the sounds we can’t replace.

 

What’s the story behind the band name?

 

Ryan- It was the name of the evil mad man character “Elvin Atombender” on the 1980s video game “Impossible Mission”. We just swapped out the “I” for a “Y” and the rest is history.

 

The music industry has changed a lot (or so they say). What did it bring you? And what not? 

 

Ryan – We’ve avoided trying to seek out a record deal that can force you to “sell your soul”, we are a very independent band. We are in charge of every aspect from the production and recording right down to the mixing of the music. I think the industry has had a bit of a melt down because artists are becoming more and more able to hold onto the ownership of their music and have a say in how their music is used. Being independent hasn’t brought fame but it’s given us a boat load of pride.

 

Joel – It is easier than ever to record a great album in a home studio.  The need to have “Big Label” push is not as attractive as it once was. If a band is willing to put in some hard work and willing to self promote themselves, you’d be surprised at the success you can achieve.

Everyone is calling my name …. That is a killer song between a lot of other killer songs. What’s the story behind it? And why do I want to hear that guitar part again and again and again :-)?

 

Ryan – “Everyone is calling my name” is a personal song about the pressures that come from being self- employed and the inability to ever just turn work off, and have a moment to yourself. It’s about sleepless nights and a realization that you only have one life to live and you’ve already lived it.

 

Joel – We recorded that one several times, in different keys and slightly different tempos.  In the end, the album version is the take we settled on, the vibe was right and of course the guitar assault at the end was executed flawlessly.  Reminiscent of a 70’s Eagles vibe.

 

Who is the best musician in the world nobody has heard of yet?

 

Ryan – I love the song writing style of the band “The Sadies”, fantastic guitar playing and music that can be extremely emotional at times. They are a fairly well known band in Ontario, but deserve worldwide recognition in my honest opinion.

 

 

She tells you she will decide on a 5-song-mix tape if there is going to be a second date. Which 5 would you put on?

 

The Shirelles – Will you love me tomorrow

Santo and Johnny- Sleep walk

Everly Brothers – Oh so many years

Neil young- Only love can break your heart

Willie Nelson- Always on my mind

 

She’d probably have a wedding planned by the 3rd date.

 

What’s up for the next couple of months?

 

Ryan – Hopefully record sales 🙂

 

Joel – We will be further promoting the new album with some live dates.  We also have our latest single “Ellie” featured in an upcoming episode of “Private Eyes” starring Jason Priestley.  That song has done well for us.

Check ELVYN’s website for updates