Release Date August 4, 2017
bill (at) teamclermont (dot) com
-----
An epic tall tale wrapped in the guise of a concept album, The Fall and Rise of John Elderkin and ¡Moonbeams No Mas! opens optimistically, with two teenagers falling in love at a used-record store. However, our heroes are tested when their dive-bar band receives an otherworldly message from the Cosmos. Rather than basking in newfound glory, the band faces down heartbreak and crushing loss before making a desperate trip to the moon in a homemade rocket, giant megaphone in tow. 

Recorded over two years with a dedicated collection of Carolina indie-rock all-stars, the record features co-star Danielle Howle, whom The New York Times calls “an extraordinary mind, a southern storyteller with a gorgeous sense of melody,” R.E.M. producer Don Dixon, Robert Sledge from Ben Folds Five, as well as members of The Old Ceremony, Pressure Boys, Sex Police, Dillon Fence, What Peggy Wants’, The Temperance League, Hobex, National Symphony Orchestra, Popes, Spongetone, Hindugrass, Satellite Boyfriend, and The Coolies.

Paired with a backdrop of rock and roll that runs seamlessly from alt-country to psychedelic freakout, John and Danielle's wild adventure takes place in a world in which rock stars are viewed as prophets. A world in which David Bowie's “Ziggy Stardust” promise that life on Earth will end in five years is taken seriously by all. A world of fighting the good fight despite impossible odds. In other words, our world, sort of. And in the end, the real world teaches the band a lesson we all eventually learn—the heavy price we pay when we go all in.

The Fall and Rise of John Elderkin and ¡Moonbeams No Mas! is a full-blown rock opera with fresh characters and a plot that veers from zany hijinks to spiritual quest and, indeed, includes an urgent message for the people of Earth.

Live-show extravaganzas are being planned for the fall. 

We hope you enjoy the ride.

The Fall And Rise Of John Elderkin and ¡Moonbeams No Mas!

"Danielle, Long Gone"

"You Got Sick"

"Get Back In The Van"

"Keep It Down"

"Don't Look Right At The Sun"

"Gather Your Strength"

"The Message"

"News Came Over"

John Elderkin and ¡Moonbeams No Mas!, a Chapel Hill, NC indie rock supergroup, get to the heart of the matter.

Donald J. Trump Has Never Had the Blues

When I wake up, I still reach for you
When he’s off with friends, maybe you reach for me, too?

Abe Lincoln thought his heart would explode 
MLK couldn’t sleep, with that heavy load
We’re not like them, goodness knows:

Except, it sucks to hurt inside
That’s what human beings do
But Donald J. Trump has never had the blues

When I see your faces on Instagram 
That guy you're with – he’s running a scam!

Chief Joseph tried to get away 
Sojourner Truth’s true love got sold away
We’re not like them, but we all can say:

Oh, it sucks to hurt inside 
But that’s what human beings do
And Donald J. Trump has never had the blues

Organ solo.

You were the one, I know you know
But I don’t know how to let you go. 

John McCain refused to budge  
Harvey Milk went to work without a grudge
Hellen Keller spoke to me and you
Marian Anderson sang loud and true 

More names pile up until:

Jesus Christ!
Wept in Gesemene, too…

But Donald J. Trump has never had the blues

*

Recorded at Old House Studio, Charlotte, NC
Produced and engineered by Chris Garges
Mastered by Scott Craggs at Old Colony, Boston, MA

John Elderkin: vocals, guitar
Henry Pharr: bass
David Harper: keyboard
Joanna Sattin: vocals
Eric Willhelm: drums

(c) 2018 John Elderkin, BMI

Donald J. Trump Has Never Had The Blues