Elvis Depressedly

Elvis Depressedly
Background information
OriginColumbia, South Carolina, U.S.
GenresIndie pop, lo-fi, hypnagogic pop, slowcore
Years active2011–present
LabelsRun for Cover
Members
  • Mathew Lee Cothran
Past members
  • Delaney Mills

Elvis Depressedly are an American experimental pop project from Asheville, North Carolina.[1][2][3] The band consists of former Coma Cinema frontman Mathew Lee Cothran and various collaborators.[4][5] They have released eight records and several EPs.

Their music has been described as "evoking [...] childhood nights fraught with existential dread" [6] and has been likened to the earlier music of Ariel Pink and Elliott Smith.

History

Formation, Early EPs, and Run for Cover

Elvis Depressedly was formed in 2011 in Columbia, South Carolina, originally as a way for Cothran to explore his Bowie-esque alter ego of "Mickey", referenced in the early EPs as a way for him to confront and examine his fears and anxieties.[7]

The band debuted with the self-release of the five-track EP Save the Planet Kill Yourself.[8] It was followed by the EP Goner,[9] and the single "Disgraceland" in the same year. In 2012 Cothran played his first show under the name Elvis Depressedly, playing the entirety of the album Mickey's Dead, which was released later that year on Orchid Tapes.[10][11]

The album was named one of the best free albums of 2012 by The Social.[12] Hotter Sadness was released in October 2012.[13] The EP Holo Pleasures, released via Birdtapes in 2013, was a breakthrough of sorts, giving the band more exposure than any previous release, despite getting no press coverage.[14][15]

In November 2014, the band signed to Run for Cover Records.[16] [17][18] After the recording was completed, Cothran moved to Asheville.[18]

New Alhambra and Holo Pleasures/California Dreamin'

In 2015, the band released a new album titled New Alhambra, which was proclaimed by Pitchfork to be "a utopian sort of indie-pop record", giving it a 7.3.[19][20] They went on a short tour following the release of the album.[21] The album charted: it peaked at #7, at #6 as a Heatseeker Album, #23 as an Alternative Album, and #33 as a Rock Album.[22] Rolling Stone put "N.M.S.S.", the second track on the album, at #23 on a list of the best songs of 2015.[23]

In 2016, Run for Cover announced Holo Pleasures/California Dreamin', a compilation of the earlier Holo Pleasures EP with the unreleased California Dreamin' EP. The album appeared on June 3, 2016 with a video for their song "Up In the Air" as support.[24] The band also announced a joined U.S. tour with Teen Suicide and Nicole Dollanganger,[25] and embarked on their first UK tour.[26]

Influences

Cothran has cited Emperor X,[citation needed] Prefab Sprout,[27] The Waterboys,[citation needed] The Jesus and Mary Chain,[28] Elliott Smith,[27] Primal Scream,[28] and Pink Floyd[28] as influences.

Members

  • Mathew Lee Cothran - vocals, guitar (2011–present)
  • Delaney Mills - vocals, keyboards, drums (2013–2017)

Discography

Studio albums

  • Mickey's Dead (2012)
  • Hotter Sadness (2012)
  • New Alhambra (2015)
  • Depressedelica (2020)
  • Who Owns the Graveyard? (2023)

EPs

  • Save the Planet Kill Yourself (2011)
  • Goner (2011)
  • Disgraceland (2011)
  • Holo Pleasures (2013)
  • California Dreamin' (2016)

References

  1. ^ "elvis depressedly | +phfm". hotline.blog. Archived from the original on 2018-08-11. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  2. ^ Claymore, Gabriela (19 November 2014). "Elvis Depressedly – "No More Sad Songs (N.M.S.S.)" Video". Stereogum. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  3. ^ Deming, Mark. "Elvis Depressedly | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  4. ^ McDermott, Patrick. "GEN F: Elvis Depressedly, Now With a Little Less Desolation". The Fader. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  5. ^ Moore, Jacob. "Mat Cothran Talks Elvis Depressedly, Porn, and His Hometown". AdHoc. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  6. ^ "Strange Inquiry with Elvis Depressedly".
  7. ^ "Behind the Scenes with Elvis Depressedly: "I always used music to cope, and I probably always will."". The 405. Archived from the original on 2018-08-11. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  8. ^ "Elvis Depressedly - Save The Planet Kill Yourself". Discogs. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  9. ^ "goner, by elvis depressedly". elvis depressedly. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  10. ^ "Mat Cothran talks new Elvis Depressedly album, future of Coma Cinema". Shuffle Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  11. ^ "Elvis Depressedly - Mickey's Dead". Discogs. July 2012. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  12. ^ "The Best Free Albums of 2012". The Social. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  13. ^ "Elvis Depressedly - Hotter Sadness". Discogs. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  14. ^ Verzella, Gabrielle. "Elvis Depressedly - Holo Pleasures". Mind Equals Blown. Archived from the original on 7 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  15. ^ Gibson, Harri (20 April 2013). "Review: elvis depressedly – "holo pleasures"". Lost in the Sound. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  16. ^ Hanan, Tyler. "Elvis Depressedly Sign To Run For Cover, Share Video". Made of Chalk. Archived from the original on 9 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  17. ^ "Elvis Depressedly - New Alhambra (credits)". Discogs. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  18. ^ a b Claymore, Gabriela Tully (March 9, 2015). "Q&A: Elvis Depressedly On Their Forthcoming Album New Alhambra + "Bruises (Amethyst)"". Stereogum. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  19. ^ Joyce, Colin (16 April 2014). "Exclusive Song Premiere and Interview: 'No More Sad Songs,' Elvis Depressedly". Interview Magazine. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  20. ^ "Elvis Depressedly: New Alhambra Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  21. ^ Bautista, Joey (29 November 2014). "A Moment with the Artist: Elvis Depressedly". KCR College Radio. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
  22. ^ "Elvis Depressedly Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  23. ^ Sheffield, Rob (2015-06-30). "25 Best Songs of 2015 So Far". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  24. ^ "Elvis Depressedly – "Up In The Air" Video". Stereogum. 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  25. ^ "Teen Suicide, Elvis Depressedly & Nicole Dollanganger announce tour". BrooklynVegan. June 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  26. ^ "uk tour/reish preorder". TinyLetter. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  27. ^ a b Lester, Paul (2015-06-12). "New band of the week: Elvis Depressedly (No 57)". the Guardian. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  28. ^ a b c "Elvis Depressedly finds clarity with 'New Alhambra' | Atlanta Creative Loafing". Atlanta Creative Loafing. Retrieved 2018-08-10.