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Carving out a genre-defying space for themselves in our musical landscape, Elder Island captivate with shapeshifting songs wherein textures matter as much as melodies, and lyrics are littered with crypticism. The trio’s music cherry-picks and transforms elements from genres as diverse as electronica, house, pop and neo-soul. The result is a web of sound that threads poetic lyricism and unfamiliar instruments over a backdrop of electronic elements and synth-heavy dance beats.

Elder Island are vocalist and cellist Katy Sargent, bassist and beat maestro Luke Thornton and guitarist and synth virtuoso David Havard. Their backgrounds in fine art, photography and graphic design brought about the trio’s introduction in Bristol’s art milieu, and continue to provide the band with its diverse creative influences. Turning their artistic focus to music seven years ago, the genre-splicing music scene in Bristol, where the trio still reside, provides fertile ground for inspiration.

In 2014 the band released an eponymously titled debut EP, an ambient soundscape of field recordings, loops and percussive elements. This was followed by 2016 EP Seeds In Sand, on which the band found their sound in cohesive collection of five dance-influenced tracks. Following the success of these early releases, the band’s extraordinary debut album ‘The Omnitone Collection’ was streamed over 15 million times within the first year of its release in 2019. Describing the album as an “integrated concept”, the band created bespoke artwork to accompany each song, evidencing the detailed focus the band applies to all aspects of Elder Island’s creative output. When finishing the album the band invited producer Ali Chant (Portishead, Perfume Genius, M.Ward, PJ Harvey) to assist with the final development and worked with him to refine tracks at his Bristol-based studio, Playpen. The Omnitone Collection’s ten tracks come together to form a sweeping soundscape weaved with ambition. Wrought with powerful synths, soaring vocals and ear-worm-catchy guitar riffs, they are songs to be swept away by, but also to decipher and contemplate on repeat listens. Spring 2020 saw the release of The Omnitone Collection Remixed, with mixes provided by collaborators and artists admired by the band, such as Shigeto, Matthew Dear, and former tour companions Dirty Nice.

Their live shows have taken on a shape and reputation of their own; refusing to rely on electronic backing tracks or pre-recordings, the band create unique and atmospheric experiences where multi-layered beats and melodic broodings stir emotions and never fail to get crowds dancing. The collaborative nature of their work shines during live performances where Katy, Dave and Luke’s charismatic friendship radiates as much from their music as from their on-stage interaction. UK headline tours have been a sold-out success, and 2019 saw Elder Island take The Omnitone Tour to Europe and North America twice, with over 60 dates in total. This included selling out shows in New York’s Bowery Ballroom, LA’S El Rey Theatre, and the London Roundhouse. In February 2020, the band played as special guest co-headliners alongside Maribou State to a sold-out crowd of 5,000 fans at London’s Printworks, and the band have now set their sights on 2021 touring.

Paying deference to the experience of touring and the energy of their fans, in June 2020 the band released a short documentary film made during the Omnitone Tour, underscoring the special regard in which the band hold their live performances. This release accompanied the announcement of new tour dates for 2021, and with this announcement the exciting prospect of more unforgettable performances from a band who create magic when playing live.

The first glimpse from 2020’s new body of work comes in the form of an A-Side and B-Side release, as the band playfully invoke the tradition of double-sided cassette and vinyl singles. A-Side single ‘Feral’ is a driving, dramatic track that builds towards a crescendo with inexorable, synth-lead force. Juxtaposed against an incongruously light bossa nova beat, pulsing synths and assertive vocals are combined to an edgy effect.

B-Side ‘Absolute’ is a smooth, contemporary R&B lead counter to all the intensity of Feral. Executed with a cool precision, in the band’s trademark fashion Absolute becomes increasingly layered with echoed vocal harmonies and guitar riffs as it progresses, taking on a spacey underwater quality. The two tracks showcase the band’s evolution and diversity within a sound that is still identifiably Elder Island, showcasing Katy Sargent’s ability to adapt her vocals to the drama and character of each song.

Released May 28th 2021, the band’s second studio album ‘Swimming Static’ explores with poignancy our disposition towards nostalgia and reflection. Snippets of childhood recollections and falling in love are overlaid with dreamy ruminations on time and memory.

Streams of over 200 Million on Spotify alone evidence the group’s huge international fan base, who are drawn to Elder Island’s ability to create catchy, dance-worthy tracks that incorporate their otherworldly creative veracity and uniqueness. Elder Island can certainly craft a hit to thrill live-crowds, but will do so with their own distinctive artistry, drawn from a myriad of creative influences and musical styles. It is clear that the band’s popularity and critical repute grows with increasing momentum, and with the release of ‘Feral’ + ‘Absolute’, 12th November 2020 is sure to only accelerate this further.