By In the latest article Series of SALTY TALK, with SAJA SPECTACULAR, guest interviewer, Kyle James Hauser, speaks with old friend Bridget Law, former member of Elephant Revival, on the band’s history, present hiatus, and the future of their tribe.
KJH=Kyle James Hauser
BL=Bridget Law
ER-Elephant Revival
KLH: Well, let’s get into it then. Hi Bridget.
BL: Hi, Kyle!
BL: I’m really good. I’m enjoying this kind of new life I found myself in.
KJH: Tell me about that. First off, you and I have known each other for a long time, like 1999 or something…
BL: I think that would be right.
KLH: So, when did the band formally start?
BL: Well, Elephant Revival formally started in the fall of 2006. We’re on the 11th year of Elephant Revival.
KLH: And how did you all meet? The original line up was Bonnie, Dan and Sage, right?
BL: The original line up was Bonnie, Dan, Sage, Dango and I. We formally formed in the fall of 2006. We all met in different musical situations. Some of us met at Winfield Bluegrass festival. Dango and I met at a festival in Keystone. Bonnie and Dan met at a nightclub in Connecticut. We were all brought together by chasing the vibe of meaningful music, love, vitality, meaningful lyrics, and activism. These shared values became the foundation of Elephant Revival.
KLH: Very Interesting. What I really loved about your band from the beginning was your commitment to the vision and the mission of the band. You rallied around the name like it was a club and it meant something. I remember doing a gig with you all and Sage wasn’t there. There was a cousin or sister?
BL: Yeah, Bonnie’s sister, Annie was around a lot.
KLH: And you called the band Elegant Survival?
BL: Yeah, it was the alias we used when we weren’t a whole unit, the original five members of Elephant Revival. But, what I think you’re getting at is the tribal sense we all held. We all felt like a tribe, united under the totem of the Elephant.
KJH: I think that’s kind of fascinating.
BL: And fast forwarding to now, I don’t think the band planned on going on an indefinite hiatus after I left the group. They intended to keep going after I announced I was leaving.
KJH: Sure.
BL: But, at the same time there was a similar quality when Sage left. It was a challenge for us to pick up the pieces, but eventually we did. Charlie came along, then we added some drums and that helped gave the music a new life and a new tribe. When Elephant Revival operates as a tribe that’s when the magic really is present. As we go into this next phase of life and we’re distracted for very legitimate reasons, such as getting married to building better foundations in our home life, it’s hard to keep that magic afloat.
KJH: That’s an interesting way to put it. I really love the word tribe. It summarizes you guys a lot. As someone whose observed you at shows over the years, you all have something that a lot of bands didn’t and still don’t have Tribalism is a cool way to put it. I get images of the old blue bus with the wood fire stove you all had.
BL: At the core of all of us, is a stewardship to the Planet. We all had a sense of doing the right thing. The first step was our vegetable oil-powered school bus. Then, bringing our own containers to shows and not using plastic water bottles; being aware of our global footprint. We did that on the physical plane, but also by being conscientious of each other’s space, speaking to each other with kindness, awareness, and positivity. It’s been like this since the beginning and lasted as long as it could. Right now, with the band, there’s a breath being taken within the entity of Elephant Revival. Even though we are taking time apart, there’s a lot more to us you’ll see in the future. Once a tribe, always a tribe.
KJH: So, we’ll see Elephant Revival together again as a tribe someday?
BL: I believe that. I’d really like to see us operate in some fashion, even if it’s a marketing hub where people go to our site and see what everyone else is doing in their own projects. The values that we carry are expanding and creating more paths musically. I do hold the visions of a reunion in my heart. I should also mention that the Red Rocks show on May 20th will likely be a full tribe experience, at least I hope so!
KJH: That’s great. Well, we’ll all hold that for you, too.
BL: Thanks!
KJH: So, talking about the Colorado music scene, you have not been inactive. Can you talk about your ongoing and upcoming projects?
BL: Sure, one of the intentions I set when I came off the road is that is that I don’t want to push myself too far, I can be a stronger force in a smaller parameter. I’m pulling my energy back in and nurturing my community, the music scene in Colorado. It’s always been my favorite music scene. Elephant Revival got our sea legs here! Currently, I’m extremely passionate about the music I’m making with my husband Tierro. Our band is called Tierro with Bridget Law. We explore different world music styles that are so sultry and gorgeous on the violin. It’s getting me out of my comfort zone. I’ve also been writing songs and getting to open up my voice.
KJH: Is this something you didn’t do in Elephant Revival?
BL: I did in the early stages of ER but then I kind of left the lead vocals to Miss Bonnie. In Tierro Band, the music is not focused around my voice. I don’t have to prove anything with my voice. I’m being gentle and putting poetry into motion, to deliver sweet messages. I will also be joining Sage Cook, (another founding member of Elephant Revival) and his band WE DREAM DAWN for a few gigs this year. Both Sage and I are making music with our spouses now. Which is really special. On April 14th, Tierro with Bridget Law and WE DREAM DAWN will be returning to the Swallow Hill Music Hall on 14th ! This is a special venue – a place Elephant Revival loved playing in the early years of the band. We’re really excited to bring our new music back to Swallow Hill!
KJH: That’s terrific. There’s a cyclical nature to the music industry where the band breaks up, the people don’t go away. Sometimes that creates fertile soil for new collaborations without some of the weight of a band that can sell out Red Rocks.
BL: Yeah. What I am really hopeful for is that fans who have loved the music of ER realize that we haven’t gone away, that we are igniting new musical expressions that have been brewing inside us for years! Sage has been playing solo shows for awhile but now we all are starting down new paths. Dan is playing solo shows, I’ve begun this new band with my husband, and I wouldn’t be surprised if you begin to see new things appear from Dango and Bonnie too! Dango is in the studio making new tracks all the time. I’m speaking out in this article to say to our fans, stay connected to our tribe and stay connected to the people in this tribe. We will carry the values of Elephant Revival with us into our next projects. Tierro sounds completely different from ER, but I’ve had people come to our shows and feel a similar feeling that they felt at an Elephant Revival show.
KJH: That’s great. So, speaking to your fans, how would you ask your fans to stay engaged with you and the other members of the tribe?
BL: Keeping up with where we’re playing and actually coming out to support the new projects. Liking my Bridget Law facebook page (@fiddlinbridget), coming to the Swallow Hill Show, liking We Dream Dawn’s page. Talking us up. It’s harder to get the word out these days in the industry. The core of ER’s success has been word of mouth, fan involvement and audience participation. I’m hoping our fans will do the same for all of our side projects and help us to continue to spread this message of love.
KJH: Wow. That’s terrific. I’ve been curious about your leadership roles in some festivals and organizations in Colorado. Do you want to talk about that at all?
BL: I went to college for music business, so it’s been a natural thing for me to work on the back end of the music business. I started as a booking agent then moved into some management and now I’m working in festival production. I’m on the WinterWonderGrass team, as well as an Artist at Large for WinterWonderGrass, I’m helping with plans for Camp out for a Cause this year in June and I am head of production for Sister Winds festival which will be held this year at Mishawaka on August 26th. I love event planning. I love getting talented people involved creating a really special experience. I run a parallel role to Tierro who was successful in the band Kan’nal for 10 years and then went on to help create ARISE. I find it interesting we found each other in that we have these similar dharmas where we did something great with the band and now we want to do something great with more even people involved!
KJH: Well, that’s wonderful! From all the way back to the veggie-fueled bus to now. All with the same hearts, is what I’m hearing.
BL: Yeah. You know, your heart is meant to get bigger and expand over time. And so is a group of people. We’re just welcoming the next generation of performers and family. It’s the cycle. ER had a good run. It is coming around the bend into the unknown and it’s exciting.
KJH: Yeah it is exciting. I know this is a cliché question, but we address this here at The Music District a lot. What advice would you give a young and upcoming band in the present music industry?
BL: Well, I think staying really versatile is very important. While you’re curating your music, also curating computer skills, audio engineering skills or networking skills. It’s DIY model in the music industry these days. Getting to a place where you have multiple layers of talents is super helpful. And, being original and as true to yourself as possible. You don’t have to take the path that everyone else took. You can take your own path. I definitely did, and it worked out pretty well for me. Follow your inner voice and do what you feel most passionate about. And the most important thing; be loving and kind. I don’t know anyone in the music industry that doesn’t like working with nice people. If you have a set of skills and you’re a nice person, you’re going to go really far in this industry. There’s a lot of communicating in this industry and a lot of collaboration so being nice is a major bonus.
KJH: Well said. Well Bridget, I appreciate you saying all that. It’s important that you’re demonstrating all of that in your own life. It’s not only important to have a career, but it’s also more fun, right?
BL: Oh, totally. And it’s hard to see down the road when you’re young and all you want to do is play music. You have to have that drive though–it’s kind of a gnarly road to get there. There are a lot of sacrifices you have to make to simply play music for a living.
KJH: (laughs) Yeah, shall we just start listing them?
BL: (laughs) Yeah, well you know, one day you realize that you may not want to be on the road and then you’ll be glad to have those skills you developed. I didn’t touch my computer and accounting skills for a while, but now I am glad I can write a good email and see the big picture, it’s landed me some more opportunities. And I’m making opportunities for younger bands and talented people to have a places to perform.
KJH: Well, more power to you. So, what you’re saying is, to make money in the music industry you have to know how to write emails?
BL: (laughs) Is it not the weirdest thing? It’s really kinda true.
KJH: It’s so true.
BL: Being able to write emails might land you a gig.
KJH: Good advice. So, Bridget, what’s your spirit animal?
BL: My spirit animal? I’m a hummingbird.
KJH: And why a hummingbird?
BL: Um, well I just always enjoyed everything I’ve read about them, but basically they take the sweetness from the flowers and spread the sweetness around. And they move very fast….so do I.
KJH: I’ve seen you play. That’s very true. Any last parting words?
BL: Come to the Swallow Hill show April 14th!
Sounds like Bridget Law and the rest of the ER gang are well on their way to PLAY IT FORWARD. Thanks to Kyle James Hauser for a great interview.
Peace.
