Elephant Stone Explore An Existential Quest With New Single/Video For “Pilgrimage”
Montreal psych-rockers Elephant Stone have shared “Pilgrimage,” the latest single from their upcoming album, Back Into the Dream, due out February 23, 2024 (via Elephants On Parade/The Orchard). Dotted with elements of free-jazz inspired by the ambient-driven sound of the legendary act Talk Talk, the track uses an idyllic beach scene (depicted in its lyric video, directed by Laurine Jousserand) as a jumping off point for frontman Rishi Dhir’s musings on navigating the journeys we take alone, both physically and spiritually.
Rishi explains,
“In the early 2000s, I found myself crisscrossing America in a van, shoulder-to-shoulder with a motley crew of musicians…When you’re constantly on the move, it’s easy to build emotional walls, to isolate yourself even while surrounded by others. I am particularly prone to this.”
“During one tour, we found ourselves with a few days to spare in Oregon. Armed with ‘Two Buck Chuck,’ olive bread, and cheese from Trader Joe’s, I made my way to the coast. As I sat on the sand dunes, I watched the clouds roll in rapidly, becoming one with the tumultuous waves and the awe-inspiring might of nature. At that moment, it felt as though I had was on a pilgrimage to the ends of the Earth, seeking a personal communion with the divine. With ‘Pilgrimage’ I attempted to capture the essence of that journey—a voyage not just across the physical landscape, but through the intricate terrains of the soul, reminding us that sometimes, the most profound discoveries are made when we’re farthest from home.”
Venturing into the album’s themes, Back Into the Dream dwells on the mysteries of dreams, capturing the cycle of sleep and wakefulness. As Rishi puts it, “Our music aims to bridge the gap between the known and the unknown.” Pre-released tracks “Godstar” and “The Imajinary, Nameless Everybody in the World”—released together as “Dawn, Day, Dusk”—draw from the themes of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation, delving into the intricacies of human existence, creation, life, and death, while “Lost In A Dream” carries listeners into an exploration of dream-like states and blurred realities. Meanwhile, “Another Year Gone” meditates on the new year with jaunty nostalgia, and the lead single “The Spark” serves as a love letter to the creative process itself.
Elephant Stone will embark on a North American tour in 2024 including a hometown show in Montréal on March 22 and Toronto on March 31. A couple of new dates in Québec have just been added to the routing. More information and tickets can be found here.
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