They say that all good comes to those who wait. Well, if that is the case, I am very pleased that Mikael Elkan & Face the Monster has finally released their debut-EP – and so is the lead singer. The free release concert showed a much enthusiastic Mikael Elkan in front.
However, making music is not a cheap occupation. So, what to do when you simply can’t stop making music? You go DIY (Do It Yourself). The making of Elkan’s EP “Come Closer” is a fabulous example.
Mikael Elkan gets a move on with his very own DIY-music.
Back in 2009 Elkan was looking for his old four-track recorder, because he wanted to create original music. He was sick of cover bands, but it had to take him several tries on music programmes and different bandmates, before he decided to write his own songs. In just one year, he managed to write 43 songs and found himself ready to team up with Magnus Snorre, Jacob Davidsen. Kim Holm and HC Frank. The band chose to bring 30 of the songs to producer Henrik West for careful listening, and this is how 5 of them finally made it to the current EP.
Elkan is not a fulltime musician, but he is a great communicator and a serious networker. Skills with he has used to design the cover of the EP and this fine flash up of the complicated DIY-project in creating the EP.
After this long journey, you will have to ask yourself; how does the music sound?
Great and full of soul is the short answer. It is the kind of music that can create the soundtrack of your Sunday morning-brunch or a powerful warm up to a night out with friends. It is light and easy to listen to as a fresh inspiration from 90’s rockscene, but it is never superficial. Elkan’s deep-minded lyrics make sure of that.
Elkan does not like to put a label on his music, but he agrees that it might be called pop-rock if you must have references. And I heard plenty of soft piano joining in with the hard rocking guitars at the second of 2 live session (the one for “the evening people”. As a nice service the band also played a similar concert earlier in the afternoon for “the after work people”).
The stage was a tiny spot to 5 fully equipped musicians and 2 chorus girls – not much space to move around. But hey, the Beatles could manage in the Cavern … so why not Elkan and his bandmates in Blågårds Apotek 🙂
Spirit on stage was contagiously high all the way through small set, and if the place had not been that crowded, I am sure that more dancing feet would have come alive. As it was we were forced to leave it at a bit of booty bumping and beating time with a foot.
Curiously enough, the tunes of “Penny Lane” sounded from the stereo as soon as the back has left the crowded stage (after giving a replay of their first track on request from the audience, that is).
This week I will look forward to empty my mailbox (not the e-mail, but the old solid one), as I am expecting my own copy of the EP “Come Closer” I expect the energy is as good as it was live on the album.
Are you curious to find out more about Mikael Elkan and his DIY-music?
Visit the bands website or keep yourself updated on Facebook.
Have a taste on their video to “She’s Alone”.
If they sell enough music (and yes, it does come in downloads too) they might even make a full time album next time … God knows, they got songs enough already!
These 5 fine tracks out of 43 made it to the EP “Come Closer”.
