The Elovaters
The Elovaters | |
|---|---|
 The Elovaters performing in June 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | Rootfire Cooperative |
| Associated acts | Ballyhoo! Bumpin Uglies Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad The Movement Pepper Stick Figure Tropidelic |
| Website | www |
| Members | Jackson Wetherbee John Alves Nick Asta Matt Link Derrick Cabral Greg Nectow[1][2] |
| Past members | Mark King Nick Frenay Myles Sweeney[3] |
The Elovaters are a Boston-based American reggae rock band that formed in 2014.[4]
History[]
Formation and The Cornerstone (2014–2017)[]
Formed in 2014 in their hometown of Marshfield, Massachusetts, The Elovaters were formally The Cornerstone, a 7-piece reggae rock band rising on the Boston concert scene.[5]
Under their new name, the Elovaters re-released their debut album now taking their former title The Cornerstone. It was officially released on January 20, 2017 and was recorded by Mike Chaplan at the legendary Lion and Fox Studios in Washington, D.C.[6]
Defy Gravity (2018–2019)[]
Their sophomore album, Defy Gravity released on October 26, 2018 through Rootfire Cooperative and was produced by Danny Kalb. It debuted #1 on Billboard's Reggae chart and iTunes Reggae chart.[7][8] It was also voted people's choice "Album of the Year" by Surf Roots TV & Radio.[9]
Rootfire defined their music as "warm weather reggae out of one of the coldest places in the country."[10] The band is currently represented by Madison House Agency.[11]
Their song "Boston" was played during the Boston Red Sox World Series parade. And "People Go" was featured on CBS's Hawaii Five-0. Both songs are from their Defy Gravity album.[12]
Double Vision EP (2020)[]
The Elovaters released their Double Vision EP on May 29, 2020; they're second collaboration with producer Danny Kalb.[13][14] The 5-song EP features Brett Bollinger of Pepper, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Slightly Stoopid, among others. It was recorded at The Noise Floor in Dover, New Hampshire. The EP introduced their first single "Fast and Slow". In December 2020, Double Vision was also voted "EP of the Year" by online reggae news website, Reggae 360.
Live albums and Defy Dub[]
The band released an acoustic live album titled Live @ Sugarshack Sessions on November 16, 2019. And a dub album, Defy Dub on August 28, 2020.
They also released a live stream and digital album Live From The Felton Music Hall on October 25, 2020. It featured an hour and a half live performance of songs from their previous albums and EP at the in Felton, California.
The Elovaters was featured as one of many reggae bands on Collie Buddz riddim album, Cali Roots Riddim 2020 with their single, "Sensimilla", which was produced by Collie Buddz and mixed by Stick Figure's touring guitarist, producer Johnny Cosmic.
In January 2021, The Elovaters was one of several reggae and punk bands on The House That Bradley Built, a charity compilation honoring Sublime's lead singer Bradley Nowell, helping musicians with substance abuse. They covered Sublime's song "Get Ready" on the Deluxe Edition.
Castles (2021)[]
The Elovaters released their third full-length album, Castles on August 13, 2021 on their own imprint Belly Full Records. It was produced by Johnny Cosmic and recorded at Stick Figure's Great Stone Studios in Oakland, California in only 16 days.[15] Jackson Wetherbee said [it's the] "most eclectic album we've ever done. I've brought in more singer/songwriter stuff. We weren't trying to be overly reggae on this album." Starting in March, they released singles from the upcoming album which features reggae artists The Movement, Brother Ali, G. Love & Special Sauce, , Stick Figure, Luke Mitrani, and St. Maarten reggae group, Orange Grove.[16]
Awards and Honors[]
In 2018, The Elovaters won the annual fans-choice "Album of the Year" with their Defy Gravity album.
In August 2021, The Elovaters were entered into the New England Music Awards. They were nominated for three categories: "Act of the Year", "Live Act of the Year", and "Roots Act of the Year". The winners were announced on October 18, and The Elovaters won "Roots Act of the Year".[17]
On December 26, 2021, The Elovaters won the most votes by Facebook, Instagram and Twitter users for the "2021 Album of the Year" by for their album Castles. This is the band's second time winning with the reggae rock streaming TV channel for Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku, making them the first two-time winners.[18]
Tours[]
Over the years, The Elovaters have been an opening act for Pepper,[19][20] Ziggy Marley, Easy Star All-Stars, The Movement, and Stick Figure.[13][4][21] They have played in festivals such as the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival,[22] Reggae Rise Up (both Florida and Utah), Levitate Music Festival, and One Love Cali Reggae Festival, and the California Roots Music and Arts Festival.[23][24][25]
On September 11, 2021, The Elovaters was one of the headliners that opened for Slightly Stoopid, along with special performances by Stephen Marley, and Don Carlos & The Dub Vision Band at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres in San Diego, California.[26]
Other Projects[]
The Elovaters collaborated with , LLC in their homestate Weymouth, Massachusetts on an IPA called "Criminal" (7%) after their single. The brewery describes it as, "smooth and full of soul, this one is packed with Juicy Simcoe and Sabro hops". They also have a special merchandise collection with the company, featuring the band's 'smoking bear' logo on beach towels, bags, and drink containers. [27][28]
Band members[]
Current members:
- Jackson Wetherbee – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2014–present)
- John Alves – lead guitar (2014–present)
- Matt Link – bass (2018–present)
- Nick Asta – drums (2014–present)
- Derrick Cabral – percussion (2014–present)
- Greg Nectow – keyboard (2017–present)
Past members:
- Nick Frenay – trumpet, saxophone (2014–2017)
- Myles Sweeney – keyboard (2014–2017)
- Mark King - bass (2014–2016)
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
| Year | Album | Label | Billboard peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | The Cornerstone | Self-released | #9 |
| 2018 | Defy Gravity | Rootfire Cooperative | #1 |
| 2021 | Castles | TBD |
EPs/Live/Dub albums[]
| Year | Album | Label | Billboard peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Live @ Sugarshack Sessions (EP) | Sugarshack Records | #8 |
| 2020 | Double Vision (EP) | — | |
| 2020 | Defy Dub (Dub album) | Ineffable Music Group | #1 |
Singles[]
| Title | Release Date | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Sunshine" | January 20, 2017 | The Cornerstone |
| "Wind On My Back" | January 20, 2017 | The Cornerstone |
| "Stop Arresting Johnny" | January 20, 2017 | The Cornerstone |
| "House of the Stoic" | January 20, 2017 | The Cornerstone |
| "Freedom" | January 20, 2017 | The Cornerstone |
| "Don't Wanna Love You" | January 20, 2017 | The Cornerstone |
| "Boston" | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "Hold On" | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "Gonna Shine" | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "The Ladder" | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "Meridian" (feat. ) | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "People Go" | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "Shaking Off The Wolves" | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "Live By The Day" | October 26, 2018 | Defy Gravity |
| "Catch Your Wave" (feat. ) | 2019 | (Single) |
| "Gonna Shine" (Live Acoustic) | 2019 | Live @ Sugarshack Sessions EP |
| "So Many Reasons" (Live Acoustic) | 2019 | Live @ Sugarshack Sessions EP |
| "Fast and Slow" | February 7, 2020 | Double Vision EP |
| "Let It All Out" (feat. Brett Bollinger of Pepper) | March 6, 2020 | Double Vision EP |
| "Nostalgia" | May 1, 2020 | Double Vision EP |
| "Won't Be The Last Time" (feat. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad) | May 1, 2020 | Double Vision EP |
| "Meridian (Cosmic Dub)" (feat. & ) | July 31, 2020 | Defy Dub |
| "Sensimilla" (feat. Collie Buddz) | May 22, 2020 | Cali Roots Riddim |
| "My Baby (E.N. Young Dub)" | August 7, 2020 | Deft Dub |
| "So Many Reasons (Gaudi Dub)" | August 14, 2020 | Defy Dub |
| "Cool Down (E.N. Young Dub)" | August 21, 2020 | Defy Dub |
| "Boston (Green Lion Crew Dub)" | September 14, 2020 | Defy Dub |
| "Get Ready" (Sublime cover) | January 15, 2021 | The House That Bradley Built |
| "Criminal" | March 12, 2021 | (Single) |
| "Margatias" (feat. Orange Grove) | April 23, 2021 | (Single) |
| "My Friend" (feat. The Movement & ) | May 21, 2021 | (Single) |
| "DeLorean" (feat. Brother Ali & G. Love) | June 25, 2021 | (Single) |
| "Gardenia" (feat. Stick Figure) | July 30, 2021 | (Single) |
References[]
- ^ "The Elovaters bring new album to Killington club". Mountain Times. January 23, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ Bernstein Scott. "The Elovaters Share 'Gonna Shine' Video: Exclusive Premiere". Jam Base. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "George Graham Reviews the Elovaters "The Cornerstone"".
- ^ a b "THE ELOVATERS ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM, DEFY GRAVITY". Grateful Web. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ https://www.thepiermag.org/the-elovaters-change-name-release-new-music-video/
- ^ "New Page".
- ^ Cohen, Jay. "An interview with The Elovaters". Top Shelf Music Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "REGGAE ALBUMS The week of November 10, 2018". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ^ "About".
- ^ Anderson, Dylan (October 25, 2018). "First Listen: The Elovaters – Defy Gravity (Full Album)". Rootfire. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "New Page".
- ^ "About".
- ^ a b Hanney, Jason (May 30, 2020). "DOUBLE VISION – THE ELOVATERS". DYFO. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "The Elovaters - Double Vision EP". La Grosse Radio. May 29, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "About".
- ^ "Album Review: The Elovaters reach higher heights with new record "Castles"".
- ^ "Home".
- ^ https://surfroots.com/blogs/events/album-of-the-year-2021-fans-choice
- ^ "Pepper Announces Supporting Acts for 'Step to the Local Motion Tour'". Broadway World. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ ReadJunk, Bryan. "Pepper Announces 'Step To The Local Motion' Tour Openers Kash'd Out And The Elovaters". Red Junk. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ Gorra, Jeff (February 27, 2019). "Interview: Defying Gravity with The Elovaters' Jackson Wetherbee". Artist Waves. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "The Elovaters". SNWMF 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "Cali Roots: The Bowl Stage". Jambase. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "THE 11TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA ROOTS MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE SECOND ROUND OF ARTISTS!". Grateful Web. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ Raphael, Louis (March 3, 2020). "The California Roots Music And Arts Festival Announce Its Final Round Of Artists For 2020". MusicINSF. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "Slightly Stoopid Returns to San Diego for a Massive Hometown Show at Petco Park, Sept 11".
- ^ "Menu".
- ^ "Untappd".
- ^ "The Elovaters Chart History". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ Jackson, Kevin. "Israelites hits Billboard, again". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
External links[]
- Musical groups from Boston
- American reggae musical groups