The band Eldebrock has had a whirlwind year. After forming in 2009, they have garnered the attention of big name producers, and have recently released their first single. Bassist Richard Lalonde, originally from Wynyard, recently spoke to The News Review about the release and the upcoming debut album.
The new album took a bit longer than expected, says Lalonde, but the end result is something which the band is proud of and believes that others will enjoy.
"It's one of those things where you have to go through it and push through, and eventually everything comes together, but we're really liking the sound," Lalonde says.
Even though it's their first release, Eldebrock worked with some major names when putting it together. The album was produced by Ryan Anderson, who produced two albums for Nickleback, and mixed by Michael Wagener, who mixed albums for Metallica, Skid Row and Ozzy Osbourne. Lalonde says the experience was an educational one, as they got to see how big names worked, and an unexpected honor for their first album.
"When we first talked to Michael and Ryan and they agreed to do it, we were on cloud nine. It was a big surprise for us and we were just glad that they found the time to work with us... When you've got big guys like that saying you really have something here, and you have a great sound, that really means a lot to us," Lalonde says.
Lalonde describes the music as a mix between Zakk Wylde, Guns 'N' Roses and Alice in Chains, but a little bit different. The sound is a little bit edgier than a band like Nickleback, he says, but he believes that it's something which can fit on the radio and connect with listeners.
Lalonde says he has been playing music for a long time, and that the new band is part of something he loves doing.
"Growing up in a small town, it's one of those things where you think that maybe you don't have the same opportunities as someone from Vancouver or L.A. because they have that music scene. But, you know, I've always enjoyed playing music, and I happened to find the right group of guys and we've been able to make something of it," Lalonde says.
The band started in 2009, when Lalonde and his cousin Barrett Moore began discussing making music. They began finding the rest of the band members, and the band came together quickly. Lalonde describes the last few months as a whirlwind, as they recorded in Nashville and met some major industry names.
"It's amazing to see the process come together and see how things work themselves out if you surround yourself with people that think the same way you do," Lalonde concludes.
The new single "Release Me" is out now at www.edlebrock.net.
