Photo: Jordon Van Zante
After spending the last few months building and cultivating their sound, Midwest indie-rock duo Elison have now introduced themselves to the world with their spectacular debut single 'Meet Me Halfway'.
Channelling a smooth and tranquil aesthetic from start to finish, 'Meet Me Halfway' makes for a wonderfully warm introduction to their sound. With its driven guitar direction, soaring hooks, and some truly uplifting vocals layered throughout, these two look set for big things in the months ahead.
So with the new single available now, we sat down with them to find out more about their background and influences over the years.
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What was the first instrument you learned to play?
[Marissa] I took piano lessons as a small child but did not continue past a few years. In middle school and high school, I dabbled with the saxophone in school band. As a teenager I got a guitar and played pretty religiously for a year but it’s been decades that I played an instrument, until recently, when I picked up the guitar again.
[Scott] I started on piano at age 5. In school band, I took up percussion and played in college. Drums were my life, but I kept up with piano over the years and taught myself guitar through my high school and college years.
What was the first album you remember owning?
[Marissa] Weezer “Blue Album” was one of my first CDs.
[Scott] Of my first handful of cd’s, Björk’s Debut was always the one in my Discman when I left the house.
Did you ever form a band when you were younger and if so, what did they sound like?
[Marissa] I remember attempting with two childhood friends, but we only “jammed” together once. There may be a recording of that session housed deep on a hard drive somewhere.
[Scott] My first band Senator Kelly was heavily influenced by drone rock and other guitar-driven indie bands of the time.
What has been the most thrilling moment about creating your own music?
[Marissa] Before we released this song, I would have said seeing the song transform from demo to the full sound that it is now, but on our release night a stranger introduced herself as just seeing a teaser video I posted and had since become a fan. There’s something magical about connecting with someone outside of your inner circle because of what you’ve created.
[Scott] For me, it was sending our final mix off to mastering. The moment when it became officially out of our hands and out into the ether was very exciting.
And what about the most frustrating part?
[Marissa] I can’t say I’ve felt frustration yet, but there’s a lot of work that goes behind the scenes now with trying to promote or learn the business side of releasing music.
[Scott] The most frustrating part for me is just wanting to dedicate more time to this project day-to-day.
Which artist would you most love to share a stage with?
Low, Sharon Van Etten, Squirrel Flower
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
[Marissa] We’ve released a full-length album and perhaps a few singles in a movie (that’s a dream of mine).
[Scott] I definitely agree with Marissa. I’d love to have an album out and seeing a song or two fit with someone else’s artistic vision in a film would be amazing.
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Elison's debut single 'Meet Me Halfway' is available to stream now. Check it out below.