Perhaps you recognize this comely couple from their appearance on the first season of NBC's The Voice or have heard their harmonies on One Tree Hill and MTV's World Of Jenks. Josh and Nicole Johnson make up the Nashville-based duo Elenowen, who not only share their last name, but singing and songwriting duties, and now everything that comes with parenting their newborn son! Elenowen's indie tunes have that Nashville touch with plenty of Americana flavor and in their January 20 release a heavy dose of 70s folk rock. We caught up with the pair to chat about (For the Taking), Nashville culture, and their hometown favorites.
Tell us about the naming process for your latest album, For the Taking?
Naming the album was one of the very last steps of the whole process for us. When we looked at the 10 songs that made up the album from a bird's eye view, we realized there was a common theme of the journey we've been on for the last few years. The songs capture moments and emotions that we were going through as artists and as a married couplemoments of hope, frustration, desperation, love, happiness, etc. In the midst of all those we wanted to end the album on a hopeful note. For the Taking essentially reminds us to view our lives through a lens that allows us to not be swayed by our circumstances, but to make the most of where we are and keep moving forward.
What is one of your favorite songs from the record?
Nicole: "Desert Days" Musically, it makes me want to dance and sing along. Lyrically, it makes me emotional because it was (and still kind of is) a theme song of our life.
Josh: I love the energy and simplicity of "Losing the Lonely." It's a fresh take on how we typically write and perform love songs.
You two have experienced a lotin your music and becoming new parents, as well. How did you incorporate those experiences into the new record?
In a nutshell, it's been a necessary whirlwind. We started pre-production for the record in August 2013 before we were pregnant. We ended up getting pregnant when we were on the road playing shows trying to raise money on Kickstarter to complete the record. We moved out of the basement apartment we had lived in for nearly six years into a house that needed tons of work.
While still writing for the record, touring, renovating and planning to become parents, we got overwhelmed with trying to balance it all and nearly quit pursuing music altogether. Thankfully we came to our senses and finally finished tracking the record the week our son was due and had the final master in hand a month after he was born. It's like this record is a condensed version of a long chapter in our lives, like the final piece of a symbolic life puzzle!
For The Taking was recorded in town with locals Trent Dabbs and Jeremy Bose, what made you decide to go that route? How do you think keeping it "Nashville-rooted" contributed to the overall product?
Nashville is home. Nicole grew up here and I've been here since 2006. Because of the music community we've been fortunate enough to be a part of over the years, it was a no-brainer to make our record here.
Working with Trent and Jeremy was a bit of a dream scenario. We've been big fans of Dabbs for a long time and had the privilege of writing a handful of tunes with him as well. We were familiar with Bose's work as producer on Dabbs' Southerner, so between that and a new artist they co-produced, Young Summer, we knew they were quite the tag team. Both helped us hone in on the sound we'd been circling around for most of our career, as well as co-writing a good chunk of the songs with us. It was such an easy, natural and fun process working with them.
How has living in Nashville, the culture and the people played a part in your music and careers as artists?
It has had a huge impact. Not only are there a massive amount of talented people here, but the caliber of talent is unlike anywhere else. It's an inspiring place to be, especially if you surround yourself with people who cheer for each other.
elenowen NASHVILLE FAVORITES:
For Coffee:
Both - 8th & Roast
For a Date:
Nicole - PM, Patterson House
Josh - Silly Goose, Burger Up
For Brunch:
Nicole – Marché
Josh - Fido
To See Live Music:
Both - Mercy Lounge, Ryman
To Shop:
Nicole - Free People Nashville
Josh - Imogene + Willie
On Weekends:
Radnor Lake, Percy Warner, lounge around in our PJs and watch Netflix!