The Elms
The Elms performing in 2004.
Background information
Genres	Rock, Blues Rock, Garage Rock
Labels	Sparrow/EMI, Universal South, TRUST Incorporated
Members
Owen Thomas Christopher D. Thomas Thomas Daugherty Nathan W. Bennett

The Elms are an American rock music band known for their breed of midwestern, rootsy rock, with the essence of the music of the 60's and 70's. Although the band has been in existence since 2000, 2001 saw the release of their first full-length album, with the first musical contribution from Thomas Daugherty on guitar. Thus, 2001 is widely considered The Elms' first fully functional year in existence. Some members reside in the southern Indiana city of Seymour, Indiana and the band is based there today.^[1]

The Elms released their major-label debut album, The Chess Hotel, on May 2, 2006. The album spawned the midwest radio hits "Nothin' To Do With Love" and "Black Peach." In April 2009, The Elms began recording their fourth album, and streamed the entire recording process via live video at their official website.[1] The Elms' latest album, The Great American Midrange, was released on September 15, 2009 and is the band's fastest-selling album to date. It peaked at #18 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.^[2]

Contents 1 Band Members 2 Discography 3 Music 4 Live 5 Web Presence 6 External links 7 References

[edit] Band Members

• Owen Thomas (vocals, guitar)
• Christopher D. Thomas (drums, vocals)
• Thomas Daugherty (guitar, vocals)
• Nathan W. Bennett (bass guitar, vocals)

[edit] Discography

• 2000: The Elms EP (EMI/Sparrow)
• 2001: Big Surprise (EMI/Sparrow)
• 2002: Truth, Soul, Rock and Roll (EMI/Sparrow)
• 2004: Burn the Fields: The Elms Live in Indiana (DVD) (Absorb, Inc.)
• 2006: The Chess Hotel (Universal South)
• 2008: This Is How The World Will End Digital Maxi-Single (TRUST Incorporated/Warner Chappell)
• 2009: The Great American Midrange (TRUST Incorporated)

[edit] Music

Musically, the band has been compared by critics to The Black Crowes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Cream for their blues-tinged, instrumentally sparse arrangements. Lyrically, The Elms continue to gravitate towards writing songs revolving around observations of their small-town upbringing and the struggles facing many middle-Americans. In the early 2000's (during the band's period of operation under Gospel label Sparrow/EMI), the band's music also contained subject matter pertaining to God and spirituality, and it raised questions about conscience and providence.

Visually, the band favors imagery that reflects their midwestern residence. Their recent music videos and photo shoots have been conducted in their homestate of Indiana, as opposed to typical music industry fare of utilizing the services of Los Angeles, New York, or Nashville. The band has also stated in interviews and in personal writings that they intend to base as many of their artistic endeavors as possible in Indiana in order to draw attention to the creative contingent outside standard industry circles.

[edit] Live

The Elms have become known for their raucous, energetic live performances, and are considered by many to be one of the top new live rock bands in America^{[citation needed]}. The band's U.S. touring in 2006 and 2007 saw them perform with Goo Goo Dolls, Band Of Horses, Cracker, Shooter Jennings, Buddy Guy, The Trews, Will Hoge, Gin Blossoms, and rock legend Peter Frampton among others. In early 2007, The Elms set an attendance record at Indianapolis rock club Spin, selling nearly 500 tickets at the intimate venue (the most tickets sold in the club's existence)^{[citation needed]} and solidifying the band's presence as one of the fastest-growing new bands in the midwest. The band also performed a set at Farm Aid 2008 at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, MA. It is estimated that since their formation in 2001, The Elms have performed over 800 concerts.

The Elms are known to frequently perform new, unreleased songs at concerts before the material is officially made available for purchase.

The Elms performed at the Indiana State Fair on August 13, 2009 releasing their new CD "The Great American Midrange" for only those attending the concert that night. The official release date is September 15, 2009 for the rest of the world.

[edit] Web Presence

On March 7, 2008, The Elms released their first-ever free digital single, entitled "A Miracle." The song was released free of charge to members of the band's online mailing list. The band released a second free single, "Back to Indiana", on May 24 2009 following the song's prominent usage in ABC's national television broadcast of the Indianapolis 500 motorcar race.

From February 23-March 13 2009, The Elms streamed live video of the creation of their new album, "The Great American Midrange" at their official website. For the first several days, a single-camera option was available so viewers could see the control room of the studio where the band were tracking. An additional camera was added in the tracking room of the studio so the band could be seen performing their individual instruments as they were recorded. 20 songs were tracked during the sessions, and 12 ultimately made the final album.

The Elms' song "This Is How the World Will End," written by Owen Thomas, has been used by Indianapolis station WTHR to promote its anchors and reporters.^[3]

[edit] External links

• Official Site.
• Official MySpace Profile.
• Official YouTube Profile.
• Twitter.

[edit] References