On The Download: Elvis Perkins
hottest galleries
-
The Latest Star Sightings
Access the day’s hottest photos!
-
Isn’t It Bromantic? Hollywood’s Top 10 Bromances!
Find out which Hollywood bros will be friends ‘til the end…
-
Brad! Demi! Robert! Paris! Hot Shots Of The Stars In Shades
Check out the stars as they step out across the world in their favorite pair of sunglasses!
FIRST PUBLISHED: April 8, 2009 8:57 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: April 8, 2009 9:12 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --
So, What’s in a name? Well for singer/songwriter Elvis Perkins, a lot…
Elvis – It’s probably the most daunting name to live up to as a musician.
Perkins — What comes to mind when you hear that name? Maybe… “Psycho”? Think Norman Bates, famously portrayed in Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece by Elvis’ father, Anthony Perkins, a world renown actor and avid fan of the King who died of complications from AIDS in 1992.
Elvis’s mother was photographer Berry Berenson, who was killed on American Airlines Flight 11 during the 2001 September 11th attacks on the United States by terrorists, a day before the ninth anniversary of Anthony’s death.
Add that all up and one would figure that Elvis Perkins’ music would be dreary and depressing. Well, that just isn’t necessarily the case…
After his somber but critically acclaimed 2007 tribute to his parents, “Ash Wednesday,” Perkins picked up a full band for “Elvis Perkins in Dearland.”
And what a difference it has made! Using organs, horns, and strings he keeps the brilliant songwriting and lyricism fans expect from intact, while bringing the music to a new sonic level.
The album bursts with stylistic variety. From the Bob Dylan meets Leonard Cohen folk-rock of the kickoff single “Shampoo,” to the New Orleans influenced “Doomsday,” or the gospel-tinged “Hey.” Elvis and his band float through styles so effortlessly you would think he was being backed by 10 different bands of seasoned veteran musicians from each genre.
Elvis Perkins second album has truly drawn him out of the shadow of his upbringing and proven him as an adventurous and talented singer, songwriter and bandleader destined to continue to make big waves in the music world’s ocean.
Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Keep your Access to everything in Hollywood! Breaking news and personal commentary from Nancy, Billy, Tony, Shaun, Maria & all of our producers! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter now!
-
Susan Boyle performs on NBC’s the ‘Today’ show at Rockefeller Center on November 23, 2009 in New York City
-
‘Dancing With the Stars’ final 3: Donny Osmond/Kelly Osbourne/Mya
-
Leona Lewis arrives at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California
-
Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker attend the premiere of ‘Wonderful World’ during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival, April 27, 2009
-
Jennifer Lopez makes her move at the 2009 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in LA on November 22, 2009
-
On The Download: Kris Allen
-
Solange Knowles - On The Download
-
On The Download The Temper Trap
-
Alt-country singer Neko Case
-
On The Download: ‘Glee: The Music, Vol. 1’
related videos
-
On The Download: Elvis Perkins In Dearland - ‘Shampoo’
Check out the new music video for “Black Hearted Love” with powerful vocals by PJ Harvey and rocking guitar by John Perish. PJ is a sight to see as she dances in an inflatable moonwalk toy.
-
On The Download: The White Tie Affair - ‘Candle (Sick And Tired)’
You heard the song on “The Hills,” now check out the fun-filled, kinetic music video for The White Tie Affair’s “Candle (Sick and Tired).” Plus, which “Hills” and music superstars make quick cameos in the video?
-
On The Download: Cobra Starship featuring Leighton Meester - ‘Good Girls Go Bad’
“Gossip Girl’s” Leighton Meester joins Cobra Starship for their catchy single, “Good Girls Go Bad,” about a good girl with a bad streak. “Good Girls” is found on the band’s third studio album, “Hot Mess,” in stores now.
-
On The Download: Tiesto Featuring Sneaky Sound System - ‘I Will Be Here’
This trippy music video for Tiesto and Sneaky Sound System’s “I Will Be Here” will have you dancing in your seat from the moment the beat kicks in!
-
On The Download: David Guetta Feat. Akon - ‘Sexy Chick’
David Guetta teams up with Akon for “Sexy Chick,” the second single from his album, “One Love.”
-
On The Download: Billie Myers - ‘Kiss The Rain,’ Acoustic
Check out singer/songwriter Billie Myers’ acoustic performance of her hit ‘90s song, “Kiss The Rain.” Her recently-released third album, “Tea & Sympathy,” is out now.
-
On The Download: Ingrid Michaelson - ‘Maybe’
Check out the music video for Ingrid Michaelson’s “Maybe,” from her new album, “Everybody.”
-
On The Download: Pink’s High-Flying ‘Funhouse’ Tour
Access has your inside look at Pink’s gravity-defying acrobatics during her kinetic “Funhouse” tour in which she belts out hit after hit - sometimes upside down!
-
Music Video: Dream Theater - ‘A Rite Of Passage’
Check out the dark and moody music video from progressive metal band Dream Theater’s tenth studio album, “Black Clouds & Silver Linings.”
-
Music Video: Colbie Caillat - ‘Fallin’ For You’
Check out the music video for Colbie Caillat’s single, “Fallin’ For You,” off of her album “Breakthrough.”
related galleries
On The Download — Music We Love!
Hot shots of the artists, albums, concerts and singles that we think you should know about!
Rock Stars
All your favorite rock ‘n’ roll stars — from the Rolling Stones to Fall Out Boy!
2009 American Music Awards
Rihanna! Whitney! Janet! All the hot shots of the 2009 American Music Awards!
What Do You Think?
Was Adam Lambert’s unedited AMA performance that aired on the East Coast inappropriate?
