Elliott Creates Breathtaking Music By Merging Hardcore & Hip-Hop.
Music has always been an inspiration to the world. It’s like the breeze of fresh air that enhances one’s spiritual experience and lifts one’s mood. Music has always been seen as the best natural form of therapy, which can elevate and put an end to all the miseries of human beings by providing a source to vent out the jammed thoughts. From classical to hardcore to hip-hop, music has come a far way, and performers like Elliott are adding to its shine.
Elliot’s Childhood
Born and brought up in a conservative family in Buffalo, Elliott has also traveled a long way just like music. He was first exposed to music through his dad who was a worship pastor. He and all his three siblings were homeschooled, where secular music and TV were totally restricted. He recalls those days by saying “I didn’t have a very good grasp of what was happening outside in the world for a long time. But, it was a great environment for creativity because I was able to just focus on myself. I was able to form my self-identity at a pretty young age.”
While growing up, he was pulled towards Christian punk and hardcore bands like Relient K and Underoath, which led him to Buffalo’s own punk scene. The very first show he attended was by the local band ‘This Day and Age’. “It was the first time I can remember feeling the kick drum hit my chest. I remember at the end of the show I started crying because I had this moment of, this is what I wanna do, and I can see it. It’s possible”, says the artist.
The Making Of M.A.G.S
Though there isn’t any specific meaning to the word, Elliott jokes it as “marijuana and good sex.” After several years of practice, growing tired of the little bands he was a part of, which were not making any big, he launched M.A.G.S IN 2015. Soon he released his self debut album— both lo-fi garage-rock affairs. In 2017 he moved to L.A and since then he has never looked back. Meanwhile, his music was making it big on Spotify and YouTube, including on a few TV placements like Shameless, Teen Mom, The Flash.
Inspiration Behind ‘Say Things That Matter’
Douglas was inspired by both hip-hop and his multiplying interest in synthesizers to develop his songwriting. While revisiting the process of making ‘say things that matter’ through his memory lane, he says, “There were plenty of times where I was sitting with some crazy synthesizer patch and I was like, is this too much? Is this self-indulgent? I saw this video of David Bowie talking on some late-night show, and he basically said if the music you’re making doesn’t scare you, you’re doing it wrong.”
He still keeps his imperfect music close to his heart, “I still like to hear the raw, organic tones. I don’t like to overproduce things. But I wanted it to be a little more elevated. It can have the energy and attitude of punk, but have more colors”, says Elliott while talking about it.
About The Album
‘Say Things That Matter’ is a reflective album, and a bang in cosmos by Elliott, released on August 13th which is inspired by the personal changes he has faced over time. He takes us on the ride of some phases of his life like a breakup, and the internal conflict through the tracks like “Smile” and “Choked Out.” Meanwhile, the bewitching jazz melodies of “Staircase” reveal his homesickness for Buffalo.
This album is the manifestation of Elliott’s personal growth and therefore, is so close to his heart. “I remember a time when making an album was more of an art form. You put a lot more thought into the way that the flow of the songs goes and the different colors you can create,” he says. “I thought it would be cool if the whole album felt like a world you could live in. Especially ending with ‘Sunrise’… I can taste that song.”
