Joe and Ellen
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Get Joe and Ellen's New EP, available at http://www.jotdot.net/joeandellen
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Joe and Ellen is music's finest brother/sister duo. Their unique guitar pop sound is defined by emotive, beautiful vocals, ecclectic textures and highly soulful grooves. Recently they released their debut self-titled EP (available on their website), which they wrote, performed, produced, engineered and mixed completely themselves. In addition to their primary instruments (Ellen is a bassist and Joe a guitarist), they contributed mandolin, various keyboards, percussion devices and created incredible drum tracks. With imaginative lyrics that delve effortlessly into the everyday bittersweetness of living and gorgeously haunting melodies, Joe and Ellen's music promises to move countless...and they're both barely out of high school. Here at Soundclick, you can hear two songs from their EP, the ethereal rocker "Lily Scent" and slow-grooving ballad "What Becomes of Us". You'll also find various non-album tracks, all straight from the pair's energetically rich living room studio.
Why this name?
The first gig they ever played was at a little cafe in Tulsa. They hadn't decided on a name yet, but the owner had written 'Joe and Ellen' on the advertisement for the show and they just said, 'well, what the heck.'
Would you sign a record contract with a major label?
Sure, why not?
Band History:
Joe and Ellen were born to musician parents (when the kids were very young the family supported itself solely through Mom and Dad's band). The siblings grew up surrounded by a strong musical sense and understanding, defined by artists like the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan, Billie Holiday and Stevie Wonder. As teenagers they added Jeff Buckley, the Cocteau Twins and Kate Bush to the list, then began playing music for fun together. By the time Joe had been learning guitar a couple years, and Ellen had been studying the bass for one, they got very serious about their new found art. By the end of 2003 they'd been performing locally in Tulsa for a year, and had accumulated an outstanding catalog of creative, passionately expressive original music. They'd even developed as producers. 2004 saw the release of their self-titled EP, which was also completely self-made. Joe and Ellen continue to advance in their career, both on stage and on record.
Your influences?
Cowboy Junkies, Richard Thompson, Sade, 10,000 Maniacs, Bob Dylan, Beatles, Sundays, Fairport Convention, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Cocteau Twins, Massive Attack, Jeff Buckley, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, Kate Bush, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Nina Simone, Rickie Lee Jones, Tom Waits, Roxy Music, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Sandy Denny, Morrisey, Smiths, Billie Holiday, Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Bryan Ferry, Marvin Gaye, Jimi Hendrix, Innocence Mission, My Bloody Valentine, U2 and more...
Favorite spot?
Austin is certainly a beautiful, exciting music scene.