Imagine Roy Orbison fronting a band halfway between Arcade Fire and Delta Spirit and that lands you in the same zip code as upstart indie rockers Elim Bolt. “Farm Kid” is the first single from the band’s debut 7-track EP, Nude South, out now on Hearts & Plugs. Elim refers to the small South Carolina town that frontman Johnnie Edward Matthews III (what a mighty fine Southern name) bolted for a career in music playing bass for coulda-been indie pop act Sequoyah Prep School.
(PC: Right Click, Save File As “¢ Mac: Option/Click to Download)
“Farm Kid” knocked my socks off on first listen, and the EP only got better from there. Pardon my Yankee manners, but I fucking love this record.
Along a crackling guitar line, Matthews sings: “And, All I wanna do is truly love you/But all I seem to do is deeply hurt you.”
I imagine this song will make the next mixtape Chris Brown gives to you know who.
Earlier this year, Matthews hooked up with Sequoyah classmate, guitarist Jordan Hicks, and close friends Christian Chedester, the lovely Amber Joyner and Michael McCrea to record Nude South. Dan McCurry of Run Dan Run took a shine to the project and recorded and mixed the balance of the album (while joining the band on organ).
All seven tracks on the EP are very strong (jangly & joyous “Field” and the stomper “Batshit” are early standouts) — making Nude South the ideal stocking stuffer for loved ones who love the aforementioned Orbison, Delta Spirit (my current obsession) and Arcade Fire, in addition to Fleet Foxes, Band of Horses, the Lumineers, New Pornographers and other bands of kindred spirit.
Elim Bolt’s debut EP, Nude South, is on sale this week at Amazon.
For tour news, new releases and other surprises connect with Elim Bolt on the web and facebook.
Comments