Luke Elliot

With origins as a New Jersey rock and roller, Luke Elliot has steadily proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in an international musical landscape. His packed live performances, alluring voice, and evocative writing suggest that his presence is permanent. Just over one year ago, Elliot was writing and playing his music live while working a sales job outside Princeton, New Jersey. In one year’s time, Luke’s life and musical career has taken a dramatic upward turn that now finds him looking out over crowds of more than 1,500 screaming fans in Oslo, Norway. (See video depicting the first tour by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W837jjbrEM). Recently, he was named one of the top five new artists by Tidal, the innovative streaming service now owned by artists Jay Z, Jack White, Rihanna, Madonna and others (http://read.tidal.com/article/tidal-rising-2015/). Elliot released his debut EP, Death of a Widow, through Yerbird Records in 2010. The EP gained him a dedicated fan base that followed him through a circuit of venues across the Northeastern United States. The music, comprised of an eclectic mix of genres and themes, gained him critical regional acclaim. Playing in New York's Lower East Side, Elliot and his band quickly made their way from the small bar scene to some of New York's more popular venues, from the Mercury Lounge to Webster Hall. He began headlining major Philadelphia venues such as North Star and World Cafe Live. In 2011, Luke was approached by director Paul Cantagallo to compose the music for a new film, Benny the Bum. Writing the title song for the film brought more regional attention when the film won Best Local Film at the 2012 Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. As Luke was finishing his second EP, Provisions, he gained the attention of New York based manager, Christa Shaub (former manager of Rihanna) in late 2013. Shaub inspired Luke to uproot his life, move to New York City and make his artist career a full time dedication. In the months following, Shaub & Elliot focused on artist development, branding & live performances. With a busy tour schedule, Elliot began to garner additional media and public attention. American Songwriter, No Depression, The Deli, Popdose, The Examiner, and Aquarian Weekly featured praiseworthy reviews of Provisions. Elliot also began working with legendary producer John Agnello (Sonic Youth, The Hold Steady, Kurt Vile) on ideas for a new album. In early 2014, Luke met the U.S. correspondent for VG, the leading Norwegian daily newspaper. Eirik Mosveen, who was also once the editor of historic rock monthly BEAT, saw the promise in Elliot’s music and began spreading the word in Norway. A few months later, with his passport stamped and Shaub strapped in the seat next to him, Elliot headed to Norway for a six show club tour. Joining forces with some of Norway’s most seasoned musicians, Elliot has lured audiences with his lyric narratives of hope and loss. While on this first tour, Luke had the good fortune of playing in front of Norwegian rock legend and critic, Knut Schreiner who is best known throughout the rock world as a key member of Norwegian band Turbonegro. Schreiner was so blown away by what he heard that he immediately wrote a passionate review of the show that quickly went viral. Schreiner said that he had not heard anything as striking as Elliot and his band in two decades. Elliot is working to make that claim true. Working with Agnello in Halden at the Athletic Sound studio, Elliot has just completed Dressed for the Occassion. The album was mastered at Abbey Road in London. The signature single, “Trouble,” releases April 10th, and the full album is set to debut in September, 2015.