In the midst of a very hectic summer, the Fourth of July had finally arrived. I was with a friend and his family and as we were walking towards Palisades High School, where we would later get loose to a great performance and watch fireworks, when a tall dude with a pair of nice kicks strolled beside us. "Do you know which way the field is?" he asked. And of course, as we were on the same path, we told him that if he continued onward he would find the field. A few minutes later, we went to the field ourselves and sat in the bleachers waiting for the sun to slip out of sight as we awaited nightfall. The otherwise boring "house band" came on and played a few tunes until their set was finished. A group of teenagers, excuse me, musicians, then took the stage. To my amusement, the same dude who's kicks I had just complimented had the mic and it was only a matter of time before I discovered he was part of a "genre-bending" band known as the
Elevaters (your not mistaken - that's the spelling).
When they had cranked out their tunes, it was time for the festivities to begin and the sky was illuminated by the constant explosion of fireworks. After everything finally died down, I congratulated my new friend, Miles, on an awesome show and dubbed him the next Kid Cudi - I was probably thinking of Cudi because I'll be seeing him live at the House of Blues tonight (July 26)! Anyway, I later stayed in touch my new friend, Miles, and as is the custom these days tweeted a small entry about the great show. After several emails with Miles in the forthcoming days, I thought it would be interesting to have a Q&A and provide the elite readers of this blog with a change of personality. So check out the
band's myspace (also linked above) and if you like the music, you should probably head out to one of their shows and show your support.
When did you first realize you could have a future in music?I think the first time was when someone asked me to write something for them. It was for a children’s book called Patty Praise… yes it was a Christian children’s book. I wrote a rap based on the story. I hope the book gets published, it was the first track I did by myself.
How do you think your cultural roots, especially your surroundings in Los Angeles and going to college at UCLA, have influenced your music? And who are your musical influences?Everyone’s parents listened to some way out sh*t when they were young, mine were no different. Only thing that separated me from everyone else is I listened to everything. I loved Michael Jackson, of course, but I also listened to George Michael and Phil Collins. Don’t know how that happened. I think because there was no BET channel, only VH1.
How did the band form at UCLA?David (guitar) Sam (vox/keys) and Ben (vox/percussion) used to host open mic shows on campus called BIRTH. When I transferred in I had the opportunity to watch the last one they performed on campus. I jumped on the bandwagon and told them they were the freshest thing I’ve scene since MC HAMMER, and to please let me hang out with them. After a few months of begging, it all worked out.
How was the band's name chosen?We used to be called Namaste. Which means The God in me, see’s the God in you in Hindu. After realizing how corny that sounded we wanted to change it to something similar. We’ve always been about a positive message but didn’t want to come off cliché. Believe it or not one day, the guys were in an Elevator and it dawned on them… but we spell it with an ERS to get the idea of elevation of the mind.
What seperates your sound, individually and as a band, from the rest of the music scene?There are two Jewish guys, two black guys, a white boy, and a Persian. We take everything we’ve been influenced by and bring it together. It’s got no choice but to be hot music! Plus 4 out of 6 of us were in UCLA’s school of theater and film, I think we put on a pretty good show.
Could we expect an album from the band anytime soon?We’re currently working on a second album now. I’ve been opposed to it because I think the world should hear the 1st one before releasing anything else. Gotta make em’ wait! But the guys talked me into it. Probably be done by next summer.
Do you have any projects and/or job(s) outside of music?I have several jobs outside of music, but this is the only one that matters.
Do you envision yourself making a full-time commitment to music in the future?Definitely. I love acting, comedy, and fashion, so hopefully music can open the door for all three.
My personal favorite song by the Elevaters is "Row Your Boat", especially since I was able to see the band perform it live. What's your favorite production by the band?I think my favorite track right now is called “Trippin” It took us so long to get that song together. I think I wrote 3 different verses for it. The song title explains itself, but it’s probably our bread and butter right now. Very theatrical.
So far, out of all of your performances, which of your gigs has been your favorite?Probably the El Rey in Los Angeles. That was the first time we were given petty cash. For those that don’t know, that’s money under the table for food and drinks… hell yes! I felt like Bono.
If you could perform with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
Has to be the late great Michael Jackson. There never was and never will be anything like him again.
General questions: What's your favorite song? Favorite movie? fav. tv show? fav. book? where can we probably find you at any given time (ex. starbucks, coffee bean, borders, etc.)? Fav. sports and sports teams? Favorite song right now is probably “Shame” by Evelyn Champagne King. It came out the year I was born in 1978… jeez I’m old. Everything about that song is fresh.
Favorite movie is The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. Every dream I had during childhood stemmed from this film.
Favorite book has to be the “Shining” by Stephen King. First book I’ve ever read where I had to sleep with the lights on… what a sissy.
You can find me in the hood. I reside in Redondo Beach. Stay away from the blondes, they’re dangerous.
Favorite team as you know is the LA Lakers, who else?!
