Award-winning folk duo releases new album & extensive tour dates
Ordinary Elephant To Release “Honest’ May 3, 2019
Video For Lead Single Out
Tour Includes Australian Dates
Intro
Listening Through The Lens first laid eyes on nomadic folk duo Ordinary Elephant as they received an award for Artist Of The Year at Folk Alliance International February 2018 in Kansas City Missouri. Another sighting at the same event was a private showcase a day or two later in a room so crowded it was a wonder they could play their instruments without them becoming lethal weapons. They pulled it off with aplomb though.
The duo has revealed the video for their brand new single “Scars We Keep” and announced the release of their forthcoming LP Honest, out May 3. They have also organised an extensive tour around the new record release including a tour of Australia next month.
The New Album
Honest was recorded in Nashville and produced by Neilson Hubbard, with the album’s eleven tracks reportedly exploring pressing beyond the confines of others’ expectations and pursuing a wholehearted life.
“These times are hard and it’s harder to heal; when where you were born decides what you fear, it’s time to be a brother or my father’s son. I was born to be a bigot, but that don’t mean that I am one,” the duo sings in “Scars We Keep” about coming to terms with being raised in an area historically entrenched in racism, and refusing to be bound by that. According to the band: “If you grow up being shown how to hate and fear, it can be hard to go out into the world with love and acceptance. This is sadly the truth that many live.”
The New Single
Here is the new clip for “Scars We Keep”:
“Scars We Keep” is available at Apple Music Spotify and Pandora.
The Duo
Ordinary Elephant, comprised of Crystal and Pete Damore, set aside the work they’d done previously, as a veterinary cardiologist and a computer programmer respectively, in order to focus on making music. Several years ago, they threw all caution to the wind and hit the road in their van and travel trailer. They also use their own life experience to point out that the “safe” route can be anything but safe. “I had a safe job and was on a safe life trajectory, financially,” Crystal says, “but those things were like a safety rail you reach for — a habit, a comfortable familiarity… something you’re expected to reach for. I was letting those things hold me up instead of learning to stand on my own.”
With the pair, it’s always about telling the story in the truest, kindest way. “You will wonder if it’s worth the weight, the worry that wears you down. Half your life spent figuring out how to make the other half count,” they sing on the new record. Ordinary Elephant makes every kind word count. “That is why we do this,” they agree. “Songs speak, and they can heal.”
Australian Tour Information
Listening Through The Lens will be covering their show at the Caravan Music Club.
10 APR – Bentleigh East, VIC, Australia – Caravan Music Club
- Wednesday, April 10, 2019
- 7:00 PM 9:30 PM
- Caravan Music Club (map)
Special guest Dan Parsons
Doors: 7pm // Show: 7:30pm
Reserved Seats $30+bf. General Admission $20+bf
11 APR – Rainbow, VIC, Australia – The Oasis Rainbow
- Thursday, April 11, 2019
- 7:30 PM 10:00 PM
- The Oasis Rainbow (map)
Doors: 7:30pm
Tickets: $20
Advanced tickets: Contact Ben 0428 127 700 or oasis-rainbow@hotmail.comA
12 APR – Auburn, SA, Australia – HATs Courthouse Cultural Centre
- Friday, April 12, 2019
- 8:00 PM 10:00 PM
- HATs Courthouse Cultural Centre (map)
Doors: 8pm
Tickets $23 pre-sale // $25 at the door
Advanced tickets: (08) 8449 2420 or bookings@hatsincsa.com
13 APR – Aldinga, SA, Australia – Cooee Arthouse
- Saturday, April 13, 2019
- 7:00 PM 10:00 PM
- Cooee Arthouse (map)
Special guest Dhungala Baarka
Doors: 7pm
Tickets $25+BF
Advanced Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ordinary-elephant-dhungala-baarka-tickets-55255862773A
14 APR – Adelaide Hills, SA, Australia – Bridgewater Arts Centre (JUST ADDED)
16 APR – Woodford, VIC, Australia – Woodfolk House Concert Series
- Tuesday, April 16, 2019
- 6:30 PM 10:00 PM
Address will be provided with booking confirmation
Special guest Nigel Wearne
Doors & Dinner 6:30pm // Showtime 7:30pm
Donations: $25
Bring a plate of finger-food to share for potluck dinnerBookings:Email amy@iheardjango.com
17 APR – Benalla, VIC, Australia – North East Artisans
- Wednesday, April 17, 2019
- 6:30 PM 9:00 PM
- North East Artisans (map)
Doors: 6:30pm
Tickets $15+BFA
18-22 APR – Canberra, ACT, Australia – National Folk Festival
- Thu, Apr 18, 20193:00 PM Mon, Apr 22, 20194:00 PM
- Exhibition Park (map)
Workshop and Performance times TBA
Full Tour Dates
Mar 23 – Camp Carrie Concerts – Ridgeland, MS
Mar 28 – Kingdom Growers – Forney, TX
Mar 29 – Rosen House Concert – Dallas, TX
Apr 2 – Mucky Duck – Houston, TX (with special guests Libby Koch & Chuck Hawthorne)
Apr 5 – Cactus Cafe – Austin, TX (with special guests Libby Koch & Matt Harlan)
Apr 10 – Caravan Music Club – Bentleigh, VIC Aus
Apr 11 – The Oasis Rainbow – Rainbow, VIC Aus
Apr 12 – HATs Courthouse – Auburn, SA Aus
Apr 13 – Cooee Arthouse – Aldinga, SA Aus
Apr 16 – Woodfolk House Concert – Woodford, VIC Aus
Apr 17 – North East Artisans – Benalia, VIC Aus
Apr 18-22 – National Folk Festival – Canberra, ACT Aus
Apr 28 – Macum Creek Concerts – Chester, MD
May 2 – Club Passim* – Cambridge, MA
May 3 – Huntington Public Library – Huntington, VT
May 4 – Ripton Community Coffee House – Ripton, VT
May 10 – Great Swamp Conservancy – Canastota, NY
May 11 – Circle of Friends Coffeehouse – Franklin, MA
May 12 – House Concert – Hamilton, NY
May 16 – Ashland Coffee & Tea – Ashland, VA
May 17 – The Listening Loft – Reidsville, NC (house concert)
May 18 – SueBru Concerts – Durham, NC (house concert)
May 19 – Isis Music Hall – Asheville, NC
May 21 – Hamilton House Concert – Pass Christian, MS
May 31 – Sacred Grounds Coffee & Tea – Ruidoso, NM
Award-winning folk duo releases new album & extensive tour dates
