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{{Short description|American rock band}}
]
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Elysian Fields
| image =Elysian Fields.jpg
| caption = Oren Bloedow and Jennifer Charles
| image_size = 250
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = ], United States
| genre = ], ], ], ]
| years_active = 1995–present
| label = Radioactive/], ], ], Naive, Bang, Diluvian
| associated_acts = ], ], ], ], ], ], 101 Crustaceans, ]
| website = {{url|www.elysianmusic.com}}
| current_members = ]<br />]
| past_members =
}}
'''Elysian Fields''' is an American band based in ], founded in 1995 by the co-composers ] (vocals, instruments) and ] (]). Their music has sometimes been described as "noir rock",<ref>{{cite web|first=Sara |last=Ivry |title=Mediterranean Melodies |url=http://www.tabletmag.com/tag/elysian-fields/ |publisher=Tabletmag.com|date=20 October 2008|accessdate=2 March 2010}}</ref> due to its sultry, dark and mysterious inflections, be it sonically or lyrically. The band uses mainly acoustic instruments, predominantly guitar, piano, bass and drums, with the occasional appearance of eastern instruments, classical strings, and subtle electronics, the focal point being the voice of Charles in the forefront.


Based in ], Elysian Fields have found underground success in the United States but are more popular in Europe.<ref name=about /> The author of ''The Dark Stuff'', ], says of their music, "Maybe we have their out-of-the-mainstreamness to thank for a sound that is still unique -- as sensual as a sleepwalker's wet dream."<ref>{{cite web |title=Elysian Fields |author=Kent, Nick |author-link=Nick Kent |url=http://next.liberation.fr/guide/2003/05/30/elysian-fields_435267 |publisher=Liberation |date=30 May 2003 |accessdate=2 March 2010 |archive-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411033443/http://next.liberation.fr/guide/2003/05/30/elysian-fields_435267 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since its formation, the band has won quite a devoted cult following, largely by word of mouth.<ref name=about /> Besides its well received albums, the band is also noted for its strong live performances.<ref name=about>{{cite web |title=Elysian Fields About |url=http://www.elysianmusic.com/about.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302123947/http://www.elysianmusic.com/about.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 March 2016 |publisher=elysianmusic.com |accessdate=2 March 2016}}</ref> The rest of the band has included many of New York's strongest players: all the members of ]'s band, members of ], Ed Pastorini, ], ], ], ] and members of ] have all played in Elysian Fields at various times.<ref name=about />
'''Elysian Fields''' is a New York enigmatic ]/] band founded in 1995 by co-composers ] (vocals) and ] (]). Their music has been sometimes described as "noir rock", due to its sultry, dark and mysterious inflections, be it sonically or lyrically. The band uses mainly acoustic instruments, predominantly, guitar, piano, bass and drums, with the occasional appearance of eastern instruments, classical strings, and subtle electronics. The focal point being the voice of Charles in the forefront.


== History ==
Based in ], Elysian Fields have found underground success in the ], but are more popular in ]. Author of "The Dark Stuff", ] says of their music, " maybe we have their out-of-the-mainstreamness to thank for a sound that is still unique -- as sensual as a sleepwalker's wet dream." Through the plus twelve years the band has been active, they have won quite a devoted cult following, most solely by word of mouth. Besides their well received discs, the band is also well noted for it's strong live performances, attracting most of New Yorks strongest players; including all the members of ]'s band, members of ], Ed Pastorini, Ben Perowsky, and bass giant ] have all played in ] at various times.
Founders Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow had in common a mutual love for artists of multiple genres such as ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and classical composers like ] and ].<ref name=about /> Elysian Fields first released an ] in 1996 on Radioactive/] with cameos from ] and ], which was followed with the critically acclaimed full-length album, '']''. The band then recorded its second album with ] which was never released because of artistic differences between the band and the record company. Despite their record company's urgings, Charles and Bloedow did not want to give the recording a more commercial feel, prompting a split with Radioactive/Universal, who retain the recording. Charles said, "We made our second full length with Steve Albini. It wasn't at all what the label was looking for, or wanted. The label wanted us to redo things, go in with more commercial people, and give them songs that they could sell. I didn't want to mess with what we made with Steve. It was what it was. In the end we agreed to disagree, I asked to be released from my contract, and we parted ways. For now it sits in some vault gathering dust, I suppose."<ref name=about /> (Entitled ''Clinical Trial'', the album was eventually released on the band's bandcamp page in 2014.)


In 2000, the band recorded a one-off album for Jetset records, ''Queen of the Meadow'', which the band toured extensively in Europe, and which reached number 5 on the ] charts in the US. ] went on to use one of the songs, "Rope of Weeds", in one of his plays. In June 2003, the band released ''Dreams That Breathe Your Name'' in ] and ] on PIAS and Bang Records respectively, followed by an American release in 2004 on their own label Diluvian. The album was called "Close to noir-rock perfection" by the ''TimeoutNY'' music editor, Mike Wolf.<ref name=about />
==History==


A further album, ''Bum Raps and Love Taps'', was released in Europe in late 2005/early 2006 on the Naive label and led to the band touring in Europe for much of 2005 and 2006. The album is dedicated to Charles' grandmother, about whom the title track was written. Another song "'Duel with Cudgels", eight minutes and thirty seconds, takes its title from a ] painting. Their music is lush and melancholy, with poetic and sometimes surreal lyrics. Their ''Bum Raps'' album was finally released in the US in late 2008 on the band's Diluvian imprint.
Elysian Fields first released an ] in 1995 on Radioactive/] with cameos from ] and ], which was followed up with the critically acclaimed full length, ''Bleed Your Cedar''. The band then recorded their second full length with ] which was never released due to artistic differences between the band and the record company. Despite their record company's urgings, Charles and Bloedow did not want to give the recording a more commercial feel, prompting a split with Radioactive/Universal, who retain the recording. Charles states, "''We made our second full length with Steve Albini. It wasn't at all what the label was looking for, or wanted. The label wanted us to redo things, go in with more commercial people, and give them songs that they could sell. I didn't want to mess with what we made with Steve. It was what it was. In the end we agreed to disagree, I asked to be released from my contract, and we parted ways. For now it sits in some vault gathering dust, I suppose.''


In addition to contributing to many of ]'s produced compilation records, including one of ] and the first track on the ], Charles and Bloedow also released two complete albums of ] songs on Zorn's Tzadik label: ''La Mar Enfortuna'' (2001) and ''Convivencia'' (2007). They give ancient Moorish melodies a revamp with their signature Elysian Fields sound. Charles sings in ] as well as in ], ], ] and ] on these albums. Elysian Fields have also performed in several tribute concerts produced by the impresario ], including one of ]'s songs in Los Angeles, where Oren was a musical director, and another for ]. Elysian Fields performed at the ] on April 5, 2007, in ]'s all star tribute to Bruce Springsteen; Oren was once again musical director, backing up several artists including ], and ] himself for the rousing finale of "Rosalita". Elysian Fields rendition of "Streets of Fire" was noted in both '']'' and '']'' as being one of the show's highlights, and described as "sensual" and "passionate". In February 2009, Elysian Fields performed in Paris in a sold-out show at the Salle Pleyel, as part of John Zorn's Serge Gainsbourg tribute concert alongside ] and ].
In 2000 the band did a one-off for Jetset records for whom they recorded "Queen of the Meadow" which the band toured extensively in Europe, and which reached to number 5 on the ] charts in the States. ] went on to use one of the songs "Rope of Weeds", in one of his plays. June 2003 saw the band releasing ''Dreams That Breathe Your Name'' in ] and ] on PIAS and Bang Records respectively, followed by an American release in 2004 on their own label Diluvian. The "Dreams" record was called "Close to noir-rock perfection" by ]NY music editor Mike Wolf.


In 2009, the band released ''The Afterlife'' on Vicious Circle records, which was received with high critical praise. European tours followed,
Elysian Fields latest album is ''Bum Raps and Love Taps'', which was released in Europe in late 2005/early 2006 on the label ''Naive'' and which saw the band touring in Europe for much of 2005 and 2006. The album is dedicated to Jennifer's Grandmother, about whom the title track was written. Another song ''Duel with Cudgels'', eight minutes and thirty seconds long, takes its title from a ] painting. Their music is lush and melancholy, with poetic and sometimes surreal lyrics. In the Fall of 2006, video artist Vincent Moon filmed two live videos of Elysian Fields for Lablogotheque.net (also seen on ]), one of which is for the song "We're in Love", the duo acoustic final track on the "Bum Raps" album.
along with sold-out concerts in several major cities.


According to the liner notes, their 2020 album ''Transience of Life'' was inspired by the 18th-century Chinese novel '']'' by ].
In addition to contributing to many of John Zorn's produced compilation records, including one of ] and the first track on the ] tribute, Charles and Bloedow also released an album of ] songs on ]'s Tzadik label called "La Mar Enfortuna". They give ancient moorish melodies a revamp with their signature Elysian Fields sound. Charles sings in ] as well as in ] on this album. They are currently at work on a new La Mar record as well as a new Elysian Fields record, slated for a 2007 release. Elysian Fields have also performed in several tribute concerts produced by impresario ], including one of ]'s songs in Los Angeles, where Oren was a Musical Director.


] music has appeared in both American and Foreign films as well as many Television shows including ], ], ], ] and ]. Elysian Fields' music has appeared in films as well as many television shows including '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'' and '']''. "Black acres" from ''Queen of the Meadow'' was used in a 2011 ] advertisement.<ref name=about />


==Discography== ==Influences==
Jennifer Charles cited singers of many styles including ], ], ], ] and ] singers. She's also been inspired by the likes of ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview with Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow of the band Elysian Fields |url=http://www.concertandco.com/interview/concert-interview-elysian-fields-jennifer-charles//47851.htm|publisher=Concertandco.com|date=9 March 2014 |first=Pierre |last=Andrieu|accessdate= 19 March 2017}}</ref>


== Discography ==
*'''''Bum Raps and Love Taps''''' - (2005) - Naive records
*''EP'' - (1996) - Radioactive/Universal
**Lions in the Storm
*'']'' - (1996) - Radioactive/Universal
**Set the Grass on Fire
*''Clinical Trial'' - (1997) - Diluvian
**Sharpening Skills
*''Queen of the Meadow'' - (2000) - Jetset
**Duel With Cudgels
*''Bend Your Mind'' EP - (2000) - The Flower Shop
**Lame Lady of the HIghways
*''Dreams That Breathe Your Name'' - (2004) - PIAS, Diluvian, Bang! Music
**When
*''Bum Raps & Love Taps'' - (2005) - Naive Records
**Out to Sea
*''The Afterlife'' - (2009) - Vicious Circle Records, Diluvian
**Bum Raps and Love Taps
*''Last Night on Earth'' - (2011) - Vicious Circle Records, Ojet Records
**We're in Love
*''For House Cats And Sea Fans'' - (2014) - Vicious Circle Records, Ojet Records
*''Ghosts of No'' - (2016) - Vicious Circle Records, Ojet Records
*''Pink Air'' - (2018) - Microcultures, Ojet Records
*''Song For A Nun'' b/w ''Ball Drive'' - (2019) - Ojet Records
*"Shelter in Place" single - (2020) - Ojet Records
*"When We Used To" single - (2020) - Ojet Records
*''Transience Of Life'' - (2020) - Microcultures, Ojet Records
*''Once Beautiful Twice Removed'' - (2022) - Ojet Records
*''What The Thunder Said'' - (2024) - Ojet Records


== References ==
*'''''Dreams That Breathe Your Name''''' - (2003)
{{Reflist}}
**Stop the Sun
**Shooting Stars
**Shrinking Heads In The Sunset
**Baby Get Lost
**Timing Is Everything
**Scratch
**Drunk On Dark Sublime
**Never Mind That Now
**Live For The Touch
**Narcosmicoma
**Passing On The Stairs


== External links ==
*'''''Queen of the Meadow''''' - (2000)
*
**Black Acres
*
**Bayonne
*
**Bend Your Mind
* , a sampling of their music.
**Tides of the Moon
*
**Hearts Are Open Graves
*
**Rope Of Weeds
**Dream Within a Dream (Lyrics by ])
**Barely Recognize You
**Fright Night
**Queen of the Meadow
**Cities Will Fall


{{Authority control}}
*'''''Bleed Your Cedar''''' - (1996)
**Lady in the Lake
**Jack in the Box
**Off or Out
**Fountains on Fire
**Anything You Like
**Star
**Parachute
**Sugar Plum Arches
**Rolling
**Gracie Lyons
**Mermaid


{{DEFAULTSORT:Elysian Fields}}
*'''''EP''''' - (1995)
]
**Star
]
**Diamonds All Day
]
**Move Me
]
**Get Rich
]

]
==External links==
]

*
* A sampling of their music is at .
*
* fansite
*

]

]
]
]

Latest revision as of 17:03, 15 September 2024

American rock band
Elysian Fields
Oren Bloedow and Jennifer CharlesOren Bloedow and Jennifer Charles
Background information
OriginNew York City, United States
GenresDream pop, art rock, indie pop, experimental rock
Years active1995–present
LabelsRadioactive/Universal, PIAS, Jetset, Naive, Bang, Diluvian
MembersJennifer Charles
Oren Bloedow
Websitewww.elysianmusic.com

Elysian Fields is an American band based in Brooklyn, New York, founded in 1995 by the co-composers Jennifer Charles (vocals, instruments) and Oren Bloedow (guitar). Their music has sometimes been described as "noir rock", due to its sultry, dark and mysterious inflections, be it sonically or lyrically. The band uses mainly acoustic instruments, predominantly guitar, piano, bass and drums, with the occasional appearance of eastern instruments, classical strings, and subtle electronics, the focal point being the voice of Charles in the forefront.

Based in New York City, Elysian Fields have found underground success in the United States but are more popular in Europe. The author of The Dark Stuff, Nick Kent, says of their music, "Maybe we have their out-of-the-mainstreamness to thank for a sound that is still unique -- as sensual as a sleepwalker's wet dream." Since its formation, the band has won quite a devoted cult following, largely by word of mouth. Besides its well received albums, the band is also noted for its strong live performances. The rest of the band has included many of New York's strongest players: all the members of Jeff Buckley's band, members of Medeski Martin and Wood, Ed Pastorini, Ben Perowsky, James Genus, Thomas Bartlett, Jamie Saft and members of Ollabelle have all played in Elysian Fields at various times.

History

Founders Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow had in common a mutual love for artists of multiple genres such as The Beatles, Billie Holiday, Charles Mingus, Iggy Pop, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Captain Beefheart, Ravi Shankar, and classical composers like Frederic Chopin and Olivier Messiaen. Elysian Fields first released an EP in 1996 on Radioactive/Universal Records with cameos from John Lurie and Marc Ribot, which was followed with the critically acclaimed full-length album, Bleed Your Cedar. The band then recorded its second album with Steve Albini which was never released because of artistic differences between the band and the record company. Despite their record company's urgings, Charles and Bloedow did not want to give the recording a more commercial feel, prompting a split with Radioactive/Universal, who retain the recording. Charles said, "We made our second full length with Steve Albini. It wasn't at all what the label was looking for, or wanted. The label wanted us to redo things, go in with more commercial people, and give them songs that they could sell. I didn't want to mess with what we made with Steve. It was what it was. In the end we agreed to disagree, I asked to be released from my contract, and we parted ways. For now it sits in some vault gathering dust, I suppose." (Entitled Clinical Trial, the album was eventually released on the band's bandcamp page in 2014.)

In 2000, the band recorded a one-off album for Jetset records, Queen of the Meadow, which the band toured extensively in Europe, and which reached number 5 on the CMJ charts in the US. Robert Wilson went on to use one of the songs, "Rope of Weeds", in one of his plays. In June 2003, the band released Dreams That Breathe Your Name in France and Benelux on PIAS and Bang Records respectively, followed by an American release in 2004 on their own label Diluvian. The album was called "Close to noir-rock perfection" by the TimeoutNY music editor, Mike Wolf.

A further album, Bum Raps and Love Taps, was released in Europe in late 2005/early 2006 on the Naive label and led to the band touring in Europe for much of 2005 and 2006. The album is dedicated to Charles' grandmother, about whom the title track was written. Another song "'Duel with Cudgels", eight minutes and thirty seconds, takes its title from a Goya painting. Their music is lush and melancholy, with poetic and sometimes surreal lyrics. Their Bum Raps album was finally released in the US in late 2008 on the band's Diluvian imprint.

In addition to contributing to many of John Zorn's produced compilation records, including one of Marc Bolan and the first track on the Serge Gainsbourg tribute, Charles and Bloedow also released two complete albums of Sephardic songs on Zorn's Tzadik label: La Mar Enfortuna (2001) and Convivencia (2007). They give ancient Moorish melodies a revamp with their signature Elysian Fields sound. Charles sings in Ladino as well as in Arabic, Aramaic, Spanish and Greek on these albums. Elysian Fields have also performed in several tribute concerts produced by the impresario Hal Willner, including one of Randy Newman's songs in Los Angeles, where Oren was a musical director, and another for Edgar Allan Poe. Elysian Fields performed at the Carnegie Hall on April 5, 2007, in Michael Dorf's all star tribute to Bruce Springsteen; Oren was once again musical director, backing up several artists including Badly Drawn Boy, and Bruce Springsteen himself for the rousing finale of "Rosalita". Elysian Fields rendition of "Streets of Fire" was noted in both Billboard and Rolling Stone as being one of the show's highlights, and described as "sensual" and "passionate". In February 2009, Elysian Fields performed in Paris in a sold-out show at the Salle Pleyel, as part of John Zorn's Serge Gainsbourg tribute concert alongside Marc Ribot and Sean Lennon.

In 2009, the band released The Afterlife on Vicious Circle records, which was received with high critical praise. European tours followed, along with sold-out concerts in several major cities.

According to the liner notes, their 2020 album Transience of Life was inspired by the 18th-century Chinese novel Dream of the Red Chamber by Cao Xueqin.

Elysian Fields' music has appeared in films as well as many television shows including Damages, Conviction, Smallville, Charmed, One Tree Hill, Extra, The Crow and Lipstick Jungle. "Black acres" from Queen of the Meadow was used in a 2011 Lavazza advertisement.

Influences

Jennifer Charles cited singers of many styles including Anita O'Day, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and Blues singers. She's also been inspired by the likes of the Lounge Lizards, Nick Cave, Lydia Lunch, Foetus, Siouxsie, and The Captain.

Discography

  • EP - (1996) - Radioactive/Universal
  • Bleed Your Cedar - (1996) - Radioactive/Universal
  • Clinical Trial - (1997) - Diluvian
  • Queen of the Meadow - (2000) - Jetset
  • Bend Your Mind EP - (2000) - The Flower Shop
  • Dreams That Breathe Your Name - (2004) - PIAS, Diluvian, Bang! Music
  • Bum Raps & Love Taps - (2005) - Naive Records
  • The Afterlife - (2009) - Vicious Circle Records, Diluvian
  • Last Night on Earth - (2011) - Vicious Circle Records, Ojet Records
  • For House Cats And Sea Fans - (2014) - Vicious Circle Records, Ojet Records
  • Ghosts of No - (2016) - Vicious Circle Records, Ojet Records
  • Pink Air - (2018) - Microcultures, Ojet Records
  • Song For A Nun b/w Ball Drive - (2019) - Ojet Records
  • "Shelter in Place" single - (2020) - Ojet Records
  • "When We Used To" single - (2020) - Ojet Records
  • Transience Of Life - (2020) - Microcultures, Ojet Records
  • Once Beautiful Twice Removed - (2022) - Ojet Records
  • What The Thunder Said - (2024) - Ojet Records

References

  1. Ivry, Sara (20 October 2008). "Mediterranean Melodies". Tabletmag.com. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  2. ^ "Elysian Fields About [official biography on their website]". elysianmusic.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2016.
  3. Kent, Nick (30 May 2003). "Elysian Fields". Liberation. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
  4. Andrieu, Pierre (9 March 2014). "Interview with Jennifer Charles and Oren Bloedow of the band Elysian Fields". Concertandco.com. Retrieved 19 March 2017.

External links

Categories: