New Jersey post-hardcore group Elite have come out swinging with their debut music video for “Heartbeats Last Forever.” The group, driven by a passion to connect with listeners and create memorable music is planning to release the first full-length later this year. With big plans for the future and some great tracks already released, this unsigned band has a bright future ahead of them.
Interview by Dom Vigil
Being a relatively new project, can you tell us a little bit about Elite? How did the band come to form?
Elite is a four piece post-hardcore band from New Jersey. Basically, I tracked a few songs with Joey and a few months later I found all three members within the same week. Since then we’ve been writing new songs for the full length.
What inspired you to start writing music?
I really got inspired by the theatrics and artistry of it all long before I got into actually picking up an instrument! There was always this dream of what it would be like to be on stage and connect with people on a mass level.
How do you feel being based out of New Jersey has shaped you as musicians? Does it have an effect on your songwriting as a band?
I think it’s right place at the right time kind of thing, considering all of the bands that shape the scene we’re in right now came out of Jersey. (My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail, ect.) It was definitely a breeding ground in the early 2000s and I guess we’re trying to bring that vibe back.
You guys have released a few singles, which were produced by Joey Sturgis. How was working with him for these songs?
It was a blast and very easy going. He’s the best at what he does. Case closed.
Did you have any goals in mind when you were working on these first few songs to release? Anything you wanted to accomplish with them?
Basically, I just wanted people to have an initial connection with these first few songs. Show them our range as a band, as far as musically and lyrically. I just want to relate to people as much as they want to relate to me. In the end everyone needs someone else eventually to help get them through things. It could be depression, anxiety, a loss, a break up, anything. I just want to help.
One of those songs is “Heartbeats Last Forever,” which you guys just released a music video for – can you tell us a little bit about the song? What’s the message behind it?
This song is for the people in life who will eventually lose someone very close to them. Its a hard subject to bring up in music, specially our genre. But its something that is inevitable and will impact your life drastically. I want people to just keep in mind that even though their body isn’t on this Earth anymore, there spirit and heart will always be with us and at the end of the day realize that they are now in peace.
With a few singles and the music video out, what’s next for you guys? Do you have any plans for an EP or full-length soon?
As of right now we’ve been writing new music literally for months on end for what will be our first full length release! We have no idea when its going to happen, but we do know Joey is already slated to produce the album.
What would you like listeners to be able to take away from your music or live shows?
Passion, honesty and freedom I think is the best way to put it [laughs].
Do you guys have any other big plans in the works for the rest of the year? Anything you can share?
As of right now we are just working away making sure this first release sets the stage for us in 2016!
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you as well for having me!
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