In a scene (and a world) where people often talk of social consciousness and working toward the betterment of the Earth as a whole, but are often doing little more than blowing smoke, the Elephant Revival story is a wonderful one about the majestic power of music to unite and overcome beyond any other art form. The band’s music seeks to, and often does, transcend the darkness and banality of everyday life and seems to exist to remind the listener of life’s many wondrous possibilities, no matter what the odds are. It’s a philosophy tested often simply by existing in this world, but never have the band’s ethos been challenged, or needed, more than the recent (and amicable) departure of a founding member.
Elephant Revival’s music is both heartfelt and celebratory - a joyous romp of skillful string picking and top-notch vocals that reflect the beauty and possibilities in the world around us. A wonderful haze of delighted elation seems to hang over the smiling audience at Elephant Revival shows like a morning mist over a softly bubbling Rocky Mountain river. It’s no surprise that the band calls Nederland, Colorado home, as the natural beauty inherent in that part of the country seems to ooze out of not only Elephant Revival’s songs, but also every fiber of the band’s being.
With Bonnie Paine (vocals, washboard, djembe, musical saw), Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo, vocals), Daniel Rodriguez (acoustic guitar, electric banjo/guitar, vocals) and Bridget Law (fiddle and vocals) all contributing to the songwriting and singing, Elephant Revival is one of those rare bands that is truly a collective. Sharing singing and songwriting duties as they do, the band functions as a living organism with equally important yet separate parts, so one can understand that fans were more than a little distressed when founding member Sage Cook announced he would be leaving the band last year to pursue other interests, both musical and personal. Cook’s replacement Charlie Rose (banjo, pedal steel, guitar, horns, cello, double bass) has proven himself a worthy replacement, admirably stepping up to the plate and easing fans’ fears about the future of the band (check out Rose’s impressive first show with the band at the bottom of this post). I recently interacted with Daniel Rodriguez via email, and he had the following to say about Cook’s exit:
It was very much so an amicable parting, and it had been a long time coming, so we were all prepared for the news... He had his reasons, which were more than one, and it had been apparent that he wanted to be playing more of his songs. I know he wanted to get off the road and farm too, but i think that was more or less what he chose to make the main topic in order to keep the parting a consolidated discussion. It can be tough being in a band of writers and get your whole repertoire in. We all battle with that part of being in a band of many creative voices. Now he has the opposite extreme of holding it down with one voice and one style. I think change always has some sort of pain involved, and there was definitely some of that to go around, to more or less degrees depending on the person. We had been a family for 10 years or so, and we all know how family dynamics can have it's challenges.
Like much of the music heavily influenced by folk and country, Cook’s departure was the definition of bittersweet. On the one hand, both the band and its fans were obviously sad to see Cook go, but who among us can begrudge a man for following his dreams artistically and wanting to live off the land? It speaks to both Cook’s sincerity and Rose’s ability that the band was able to continue without missing a beat. Cook will always be missed to be sure, but it’s beyond impressive that the band was able to keep the train rolling so successfully.
When I told Rodriguez that I felt the story of Cook’s leaving and the band’s ability to continue so well so quickly was, to me, at the very heart of what Elephant Revival was all about - the belief in your friends and music combined with the thought that if you treat the world right, the world will mostly likely treat you right back - he agreed, and shared some cool information about the transition:
We really made the decision to keep going because of all of the new material that we were falling in love with and all the shows ahead of us that were incredibly inspiring to play. The shows since the change have been really amazing, which has been heartwarming to see and feel. There could have been a deep feeling of lack going into the future, but the ecstatic responses and sold out shows have been a great omen to us that everything is in place. I think energetically something really opened up, and there's no need to pin it down because it has a life of it's own. We asked our friend Charlie Rose to come be a part of ER, who Bonnie knew before she knew the majority of us. Sage had also recommended Charlie within our conversations of transition, which felt really good to have his input. Charlie had played in a band with Bonnie and her sisters before Elephant Revival existed. He has been a great fit for us, and he brings a dynamic that is really open minded and full of possibilities. Previously, if he was ever in the area when we were in town, he would always sit in with us, and it always felt real and amazing. We are really lucky he said “yes,” because he had some amazing offers from some larger artists who offered him more in the money realm of conversation... So we knew he was the right person when it wasn't a discussion about money... It was a discussion of creativity, excitement and possibility. It was a conversation of “what's next?”
From the wistful nature of many of their songs, to the positivity that radiates from each members’ performance style, to the joyous hoedowns that are the band’s live shows, Elephant Revival is quintessentially a Colorado band. The way the band beams glowingly from the stage and still somehow has their incandescent smiles eclipsed by the audience’s is not unlike a gorgeous day spent hiking through the Rockies- even the coldest and most jaded among us have to feel that maybe, just maybe, things ain’t so bad after all. Rodriguez said this about the band’s obvious connection to their home state:
Colorado has played a big role in our development both musically and socially. The beauty of the landscape has played no small role in feeding us big doses of awe and inspiration. The idea and feeling that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves is most prevalent to me while observing such beauty on large scale. Colorado also attracts some great minds and courageous souls who stick up for the environment and promote stewardship rather than plundering. These sorts of living ethics we also resonate with, and have found our people within our extended Colorado community. As well, we were brought up as a band through the established jam sessions held at rotating bars and restaurants high up in Nederland. After the picks we would find ourselves at after-party jam session where Billy Nershi, Vince Herman, Jeff Austin and other local celebrated musicians would be. I wouldn't call us a jamgrass band, but we were definitely brought up and nurtured as a band within this circle.
This already tumultuous and triumphant year looks to get even bigger for the band in the coming months with the issuing of a live album, Sands of Now, as a CD/DVD release taken from the band’s performance at the Boulder Theater last year. They also have another studio album coming in August and stops at festivals ranging from Northwest String Summit to the Newport Folk Fest (check out the full list below). This summer’s shows look to be a turning point for the band, and it’s a challenge they’re ready to meet head on,
“It’s something that is more than just entertainment for us,” Rodriguez wrote. “It has a much deeper connection.”
It’s both rare and beautiful when artists wear their hearts and beliefs on their sleeves, and with Elephant Revival, one only needs to attend one of their shows that seems to be illuminated completely by the smiles in the room to know they mean it.
Elephant Revival Tour Dates
7/3 - Telluride, CO @ Sunset Concert Series w/ Henry Butler
7/10 - Mt Solon, VA @ Red Wing Roots Music Festival
7/11 - Summit Point, WV @ All Good Music Festival
7/12 - Greenfield, MA @ Green River Festival
7/16 - North Plains, OR @ Northwest String Summit
7/21 - New York, NY @ Hudson Square Music and Wine Fest
7/24 - Newport, RI @ Newport Folk Festival
7/25 - Hiram, ME @ Ossipee Valley Festival
8/6 - Breckenridge, CO @ Riverwalk Center
8/9 - Alta, WY @ Grand Targhee Bluegrass Fest @ Grand Targhee Resort
8/14 - Fort Collins, CO @ Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest
8/15 - Salmon Arm, BC @ Roots & Blues Festival
8/16 - Salmon Arm, BC @ Roots & Blues Festival
8/29 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Trampled by Turtles & Shakey
Graves
9/1 - Lander, WY @ Lander LIVE
9/2 - Bozeman, MT @ Faultine North
9/4 - Missoula, MT @ Top Hat
9/5 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot @ Seattle Center
9/11 - Boise, ID @ El Korah Shrine
10/24 - Rockdale, TX @ Art Outside Festival
11/1 - Live Oak, FL @ Suwannee Hulaween
12/04 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
12/05 - Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre