Elephant Stone “Back Into The Dream” Track By Track

Straddling the elusive boundary between the corporeal and the transcendent, Montreal-based Elephant Stone has cemented its reputation as a band deeply invested in probing the contours of dreams and consciousness. Over a fourteen-year odyssey, their sonic tapestry has evolved into a rich and intricate form of art, capable of capturing the boundless terrain of human emotion and cognition.

Available now, their album, Back Into the Dream, serves as the ultimate culmination of this musical evolution, offering listeners an entrancing passage through realms of introspection and wonder.

The band’s driving force, Rishi Dhir, has an innate ability to bare his soul through music, plumbing the depths of his vulnerabilities and musings. “I’m often caught in the web of intense, recurring dreams, which I think reflect my ongoing quest for identity and a sense of belonging,” Rishi divulges.

The band takes Hi Fi Way Back Into the Dream track by track…

Lost in a Dream
This song started with a riff and then evolved/morphed over many iterations. While there are subtle hints of inspirations like The Nazz’s Open My Eyes and Echo and the Bunnymen’s Killing Time, this song is really about charting our own musical course. It’s all about losing yourself in the music, in the narrative it spins, and finding a resonance within your own life.

The Spark
The Spark is my love letter to the art of songwriting, a tribute to the creative process itself. It’s about that serendipitous moment when time and space align, allowing you to capture lightning in a bottle.

Going Underground
Music didn’t just entertain me; it saved me. It’s a weighty declaration, but one that I stand by wholeheartedly. Music offered me a spiritual sanctuary that no religion could—a sanctuary that was inclusive and universal. Going Underground is my love letter to the transformative power of music, with a particular lyrical nod to The Who.

History Repeating
History has a haunting tendency to repeat itself, from the scars of colonialism to the rise of authoritarian regimes. It’s as if we’re trapped in a loop, forever replaying the same tragedies. History Repeating is my way of confronting these harsh realities.

bae
Three chords and the truth? Honestly, this song was written on the spot as I demoed it. For me, when writing a song, the melody comes first with gibberish lyrics (scatting?) which I will then rework with real words. In this case, writing lyrics just wasn’t happening. Nothing seemed to work. So, I decided it was better to go with a vibe over meaning.

Godstar
Godstar started as a brief instrumental intro for The Imajinary, Nameless Everybody In The World but its hypnotic chord progression inspired me to expand it into its own track. I used a low synth drone, echoing vocals, sitar, sax, and tabla to create a hypnotic, immersive experience, encouraging listeners to let go and ‘float downstream.’

The Imajinary, Nameless Everybody in the World
This song began with a droning guitar arpeggio and evolved organically during the demoing process. Musically it’s kind of all over the map… I was digging Travis Scott’s SICKO MODE around that time and kind of nicked the transition part (around 3:09). It’s not so obvious, but I kind of hear it:)

Pilgrimage
Years ago on one of my numerous travels/tours, I found myself in Oregon and headed for the coast. I watched the clouds roll in rapidly, becoming one with the tumultuous waves and the awe-inspiring might of nature. With Pilgrimage I attempted to capture the essence of that solitary 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.

On Our Own
Wrote this song for wife/partner of 27 years during COVID. Pretty much all about all that we’ve done and all that’s ahead. Musically, it taps into my Teenage Fanclub/Big Star obsession. Was very pleased with how my Nicky Hopkins-inspired harpsichord solo turned out!

Another Year Gone
The COVID-19 pandemic often felt like a surreal, endless loop, reminiscent of Groundhog Day—each day waking up to the same reality, marked by uncertainty and stasis. This song is a musical embrace, a reassurance to hold close the ones you love and to tell them that, despite the world’s turmoil, everything will be okay.

Elephant Stone – Back Into The Dream – Out now through Cheersquad Records & Tapes