George Ellias
Woodland Hills, California, United States | INDIE
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Press
Flashing forward to 2011, Los Angeles-bound George Ellias attempts to bring Dylan's mastery and the rest of folk music's finest additions back to the masses with his new indie folk EP, and it's just as righteously sound. He conjures up a type of nostalgia on tracks such as "Wonder Babe" and "Stand Ashore," hearkening back to tracks easily found in catalogues of Dylan or even Woody Guthrie. Their influences are deeply rooted in Ellias' own creations, and it's a good feeling knowing that a lot can be said from such simplicity amidst the gargantuan labels of today's current music scene. As folk music appears to be returning to the music stage, Ellias seems to be in the right position to move the genre forward. - David Fish / TheExaminer.com
George Ellias is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles. In 2004, Ellias left high school and his old bands to travel with his guitar. He moved and performed as much as possible in Berkeley, San Francisco, and other bay area cities. In 2006, he moved to New Orleans where he landed a job performing regularly as the house act of a local pub and restaurant in the French Quarter. In 2007, he returned to L.A. to enroll in college, where he studied poetry, as well as a private folk song archive assembled by one of the members of the Lomax family. During this time, he continued heavily playing the local popular clubs such as The Echo, Spaceland, Hotel Cafe, and others. - Movement Magazine
EP — out July 5 was born from a collection of George Ellias‘s favorite recordings when fans of his live performances requested that he release something for them to enjoy outside of his concerts. Instruments on EP include guitar, harmonica, recorder, and jaw harp, all played by Ellias. It was recorded in his home studio in L.A. and at AMP Studios in North Hollywood. Keep an eye out for his full-length coming late fall. - Blood Dirt & Angels, Philip Martin
WOW. When I heard George Ellias’ ‘Ghost Town’ my jaw dropped. Its raw feel and sheer melodiousness hit me like a punch in the face. Not to mention that Ellias is the first ever musician to actually make me like listening to a harmonica. Ellias also paints a vivid picture with his lyrics. I’m constantly picturing tumbleweed, dusty roads and saloons. Luckily enough we’ve got this track and you can wrap your ears around this song. Thoroughly enjoyable! - Stagedive Malta
Any young folk singer/songwriter can say that they are influenced by the likes of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Nick Drake, but very few actually evoke the authentic traveling bug of such troubadours. As a teenager, George Ellias left high school and set his sights on the San Francisco Bay Area, where he would spend time playing music and crafting a perceptive and affable sound. Two years later, Ellias did a stint in New Orleans and then returned to Los Angeles to go to college and study poetry. His studies in and outside of the classroom have conjoined to make up his debut EP, simply entitled 'EP,' which will be released on July 5. The seven-track release was recorded between his home studio in Los Angeles and AMP Studio in North Hollywood. The first track, "Ghost Town," showcases Ellias' ability to captivate listeners with his raw talent as a storyteller and guitar and harmonica player. On the EP, he also plays the recorder and jaw harp. Ellias is set to release a full-length album in late fall. - Karla Hernández - The Deli Magazine
Discography
George Ellias EP 2011
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Bio
George Ellias is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles, California. George left high school and his old bands to travel with his guitar. He moved and performed as much as possible in places such as Berkeley, San Francisco, and other bay area cities. In 2006, he moved to New Orleans where he landed a job performing regularly as the house act of a local pub and restaurant in the French Quarter. In 2007, he returned to L.A. to enroll in college, where he studied poetry, as well as a private folk song archive of music found around Los Angeles, assembled by one of the members of the Lomax family. During this time, he continued heavily playing the local popular clubs such as The Echo, Spaceland, Hotel Cafe, and others. Through his travels, he successfully sought out to meet the music legends that influenced him in the first place such as Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Arlo Guthrie and many more. George has performed with the likes of T Model Ford (who jokingly threatened to stab him because he was so good on harmonica), Dave Rawlings, Becky Stark (The Decemberists, The Living Sisters, Lavendar Diamond), Farmer Dave Scher and He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister (currently on tour with Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros).
Aside from performing, George makes a living teaching people how to play guitar. He is also a visual artist, sells ink drawings from time to time, and designed the cover art for EP. He studied poetry in college and regularly shares his writings with good friend, Devendra Banhart. He also enjoys reading old literature, especially myths and folktales from the Middle Ages and earlier. These poems and stories deeply influence his music and art. George started playing guitar at the age of nine and harmonica at fifteen. Musicians that have inspired George along the way include Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Leadbelly, Nick Drake, Donovan, Syd Barrett and many more.
EP was born from a collection of George’s favorite recordings when fans of his live performances began demanding that he release something for them to enjoy outside of his concerts. Instruments on EP include guitar, harmonica, recorder, and jaw harp, all played by Ellias. After passing on offers from many small record labels, Ellias chose to release the album on his own start-up label, End & Co. Records. It was recorded partly in his home studio in L.A. and partly at AMP Studios in North Hollywood. Keep an eye out for his full-length coming late fall.
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