and that’s why you’re my elevator..
Introducing Elevator, Crewless’ debut single in a moody and dreamy rendition. It encapsulates the intricate emotions tied to deeply caring for someone which can be exhausting, yet you navigate through it willingly. Read our discussion below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
Groove, emotion, funny.
Tell us a few things about Elevator and the idea to release it in 2 versions.
We wrote and arranged Elevator (going up) first, and the idea was to make the emotions extreme. Jefe recorded his zen vocals for the chorus and that moved us to create the angular guitars for the pre-chorus. We wanted a huge tension buildup to payoff as a released on the chorus. Nate Pyfer, our producer, asked Mestre G what were the chords for the verse and he couldn’t remember, so Nate sat on a little piano trying to remember the chord progression and as they started humming the melody over a simple piano part it became evident that we had to release a version that featured that mood. When Violet Helm jumped on the mic to deliver a more chill take for the verses we knew we had landed somewhere special. That’s how (going down) came to be.
How do you see the dual-version approach of “Elevator” enhancing the listener’s experience and understanding of the emotions conveyed in the music?
The duality of emotions is the whole point of the song. When you love someone who’s emotions go up and down it is almost like getting to know different people. The way you talk, how you react and even how you listen are affected by their emotions. We think this release is actually a celebration of this complicated part of being a human. It’s not only ok to be an elevator, and to love an elevator; we all are elevators to some extent and we should not feel bad about it. There’s a vulnerability about it that is so precious.
Artists and people that have influenced you?
On top of our list is Nate Pyfer, our producer. He feels music in his bones, like we do, and working with him is like playing a “creativity tennis match”. If you give him a good idea he hits back with an even better one. We just trust his taste a lot. Working with someone whose taste you trust is so important because it frees you from judgement on your creative process. We know we can be as free and weird as we want because if we go off the rails he’ll let us know.
Why does criticism last longer than praise?
I don’t actually agree with that. In the short term criticism can feel harsh because people will naturally compound it with their own fears and self doubt. But in the end all negativity is a sterile ground. Praise, acceptance, love and other positive feeling are a fertile ground that inspires us to do more and be more.
If the 2 two different versions of elevator were two different films, which films would these be?
Lars and the Real Girl and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
Future plans?
We have several songs we’ll be releasing soon that will show the public the breath of what Crewless is. Several of our new releases will push the “2 versions” concept to a different level, with more punk influences on the indie tracks and full on club versions. We feel that we are not constrained by genre or subject matter, and that’s a very free space where to be creative. We’re having a blast writing new material so stay tuned, this is about to get weird.
What would be the tagline to the sitcom of your life?
Present company excluded
Thank you!
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