Elkhorn behind the scenes

Shots of Drew Gardner & Jesse Sheppard and friends recording Distances, out 9/16 on Feeding Tube.

I don’t like the word “choogle” because it feels a bit like “hysteria” to me – a meaningless catchall; you know what it means, but basically it’s a descriptor for something rocking. Well, Elkhorn is choogling and I can’t deny it. This is much less meditative and much more rollicking than a lot of their previous work (to their credit – this suited me so perfectly when it found me). Whether they’re contemplative and intricate or, well, intricate and blazing in full glory, they’re always immaculate and intellectual while still remaining raw and improvisational.

Distances is a pre-pandemic album, recorded in 2019. The duo thoughtfully mixed it and took their time finding it a proper home and awaiting long pressing times, which speaks to the album’s theme of “everything in its own time.”

All shots by Drew or Jesse, taken in the studio in 2019. Pre-order Distances via Feeding Tube.