elkhorn
"Other Worlds finds Elkhorn in a recognizable ‘rock trio’ format (in improvisational mode)—Drew is on electric guitar, with Jesse playing bass, and they are again joined by Ian McColm on drums, with the free-flowing groove he brings. On the opening track ‘Watching the Skies’ you can feel the forward propulsion this—dare I say—power trio sets up, a cosmic widescreen which Elkhorn proceed to rock and groove across the whole of ‘Other Worlds.’ Three flawless musicians in their own right, together they form a telepathic psychic link that taps into the otherworldly flow that is ‘Other Worlds,’ as the synergy created by Jesse and Ian leaves Drew plenty of space to take off on exhilarating and soaring flights of fuzzy haze fire that results in a musical journey toward transcendence."
- Dave Cambridge (Cardinal Fuzz)
Drew Gardner - Guitar
Ian McColm - Drums
Jesse Sheppard - Bass
Recorded on April 17, 2021 in Chadds Ford, PA
Record and Mix: Drew Gardner
Mastering: Chris Hardman
Art: Jacy Webster
Design: Brett Savage
This album is dedicated to Kevin McFadin
Released July 5, 2024
Debut standalone VHF LP by the Elkhorn duo of Drew Gardner and Jesse Sheppard, a tight set of six studio recordings in a variety of moods and featuring a lot of new sound textures. Elkhorn’s prolific stream of releases since 2016 has highlighted their mastery of sprawling long-form, acoustic-driven hypno-jams, with an emphasis on live performance (including on their collaboration with Pelt’s Mike Gangloff on the Shackamaxon Concert LP). The Red Valley is a more layered and composed-sounding set, with the duo overdubbing extensively on top of their own dual guitars. Leading off the LP, “Crystal Hummingbird” features one of their signature minor-modal vamps, with layers of fuzz bass, zither, and frame drum providing weight and psychedelic density. “Gray Salt Trail” continues the vibe, with thick fuzz vibraphone supplementing the cinematic palate, leading into the spare side-closer “Black Wind of Kayenta, where Sheppard plays electric 12-string and Gardner solos on acoustic guitar.
Side two starts with “Road to Chaco Canyon,” a brooding duet that builds momentum with Gardner’s insistent frame drum cadence, dropping down into the quiet string pool of “Inside Spider Rock” (featuring Fern Knight’s Jesse Sparhawk on gloriously swirling lever harp) and the graceful finale “Jackrabbit Hops.” Pressed in Chicago by Smashed Plastic, first edition on pink vinyl. Striking jacket designed by Rob Carmichael/SEEN Studios!
Drew Gardner - Electric Guitar, Frame Drum, Zither, Bass, Fuzz Vibraphone, Percussion, Acoustic Guitar
Jesse Sheppard – 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Bass, 12-String Electric Guitar, Weissenborn
Jesse Sparhawk – Lever Harp, Pedal Steel Guitar
Recorded and Mixed at Sharktooth Studio, Harlem by Drew Gardner
Mastering by Carl Saff
Photography by Jesse Sheppard
Design by Rob Carmichael/SEEN Studio
Released August 9, 2024