Curtis Eller

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Curtis Eller's American Circus
Origin New York, NY, USA
Genres Americana, alternative country, folk, rock & roll
Years active 2000–present
Website www.curtiseller.com
Members Curtis Eller, Louis Landry, Shea Broussard, Douglas Vuncannon, Dana Marks

Curtis Paul Eller (born 1970, Detroit, Michigan) is a banjo player, yodeler and songwriter based in New York City.

Eller's work has an old-time feel, drawing on an abundance of direct or indirect influences from the first half of the 20th Century, combined with a modern perspective and a healthy dose of rock & roll energy. Many of the lyrics deal with American politics both historical and contemporary.[1] He got an early introduction to show business when his father ran the Hiller Old Tyme Circus in Detroit, Michigan.[2]

The songwriting draws on many historical people and events but addresses contemporary American culture. Lyrical subjects have ranged from pigeon racing and performing elephants to sweatshop fires and presidential assassinations and the Hartford circus fire of 1944.[3] Historical figures as diverse as Buster Keaton, Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, Joe Louis, Jack Ruby, and Elvis Presley appear in the lyrical content.

An excellent and highly intriguing singer/songwriter who is based in New York City, Curtis Eller has successfully brought a variety of influences to his unorthodox folk-rock vision. The banjo-playing Eller's work has an old-time feel, drawing on an abundance of direct or indirect influences from the '20s, '30s, and '40s (including country singer Jimmie Rodgers, cowboy icon Gene Autry, and Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson). But Eller's material is far from a carbon copy of music from that era -- there is plenty of rock bite and attitude in his rootsy work, which also contains elements of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and the ballsy outlaw country of Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Eller, consciously or unconsciously, reminds listeners what Dylan, Cash, Son House, Pete Seeger, and Haggard have in common -- they are all known for being effective storytellers, and storytelling is where Eller himself shines. --Alex Hederson (Allmusic)[4]

Eller has released three full length CDs and a one EP with his band Curtis Eller's American Circus. 1890 (2000), Banjo Music For Funerals (2002), Taking Up Serpents Again (2004), Wirewalkers & Assassins (2008). The recordings feature Eller on banjo & lead vocals and a backing band that consists of upright bass, drums, accordion, pedal steel, tuba, violin and lots of three part harmony.

Eller does away with the backing band and tours the US, Canada and Europe extensively as a solo act.[5] In addition to the usual folk, punk and indie-rock clubs, he has appeared in numerous unusual venues, including funerals, horse races, vaudeville/burlesque revues. He has shared the stage with contortionists, strippers, glass-eaters and folksingers. The live performances are high energy, intensively physical events that have more than once landed Eller on crutches.

In 2010, Eller relocated to Durham, NC where he continues to record and perform regularly.

References

  1. ↑ American Songwriter Interview
  2. ↑ Strumming dark songs of disaster - The Boston Globe
  3. ↑ Hartford History: '"Hartford CT," by Curtis Eller's American Circus
  4. ↑ allmusic ((( Curtis Eller > Biography )))
  5. ↑ under the rock

Discography

1890 (2000)
Banjo Music For Funerals (2002)
Taking Up Serpents Again (2004)
Wirewalkers & Assassins (2008)
1890 (2011 Remix)
Saving My Heart for the Butcherman (2012)

External links

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