Eliot Bronson has solidified his position as a songwriter’s songwriter, often mentioned alongside heavyweights like Lori McKenna or Jason Isbell. He’s recorded with Grammy-award winning producer Dave Cobb and has crafted six stellar records that stake claim to his own brand of heartfelt folk music that captures the complexities and beauty of human relationships.
Bronson’s forthcoming album Talking to Myself sees him adopting a more melodic and meditative mood, steering away from the familiar confines of Americana folk. “There’s pedal steel, upright bass, and a little bit of electric guitar,” he explains. “Other than that, it’s just me and Damon.” Recorded by Damon Moon at Standard Electric Recording Company, Bronson challenged himself to take his latest songs in a different, more spacey direction.
“Damon usually makes records with louder bands, and that was interesting to me,” Eliot says. “I wanted to work with someone who had a different sensibility than I did. We wanted to get outside the box of what an Americana folk singer is supposed to sound like.”
With “Wait for Me,” Bronson leads you through a dreamy daze where the gentle sway of the music seems to suspend time. The track explores characters who are navigating the unknown, each grappling with their own struggles and triumphs. That kind of understanding is vital in a universe that often seems equally pleased to send you free backstage passes to your favorite artist as it is to gift you an $8,000 car bill.
Guided by Bronsons’s softly picked guitar and spellbinding pedal steel touches (courtesy of Matt “Pistol” Stoessel of Faye Webster), “Wait For Me” plunges into the murky waters between love and longing. “When I fall behind / when I’m gone a long time / wait for me,” he pleads. Any relationship can change without warning; the day might start feeling like a stroll through the woods when suddenly you realize you’re on a tightrope. The gentle lull of “Wait For Me” is perfect for those moments when the universe hands out more pink slips than it does golden tickets.
“‘Wait for Me’ was the earliest song I wrote on this record,” Bronson reflects. “It had been sitting on my shelf for quite a while actually. Lyrically it’s incredibly simple and direct. I think that terrified me. At the same time, it’s a very hard song to play. The whole tune evolved out of a guitar lick I found one day. It was hypnotizing. I just kept playing that part for hours until suddenly the song just fell out, almost in one piece.
“I’m asking a lover to see my better angels. It’s like that moment in an argument when you realize you’re the one who’s wrong. I made a mess and I’m going to clean it up, but please give me a little grace.”
Listen below.
Eliot Bronson will celebrate the release Talking to Myself with a two-night run of shows at Eddie’s Attic on Fri., Feb 16 and Sat., Feb. 17. More details to follow.
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