Somewhere between the Colorado Rockies and Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jesse Elliot and These United States were on a tour bus soaking in Americana, the road, and the “Knight Rider” car. All this for the love of music. At 1 p.m. I had the honor of calling Jesse to chat about their journey, their tour, and their cell phones.
Jesse Elliot, These United States: Hey man, sorry about that, I have come to realize that my cell phone is worthless. I never understood how important it was to have reception until I didn’t have it.
Thomas Starks, PopWreckoning: That’s ok, sir. I truly understand. So where are you now?
JE: We are, I think, driving through the eastern ridge of the Rockies. It’s so beautiful out here.
PW: And where is your next stop?
JE: We’re headed to Santa Fe to play at Corazon. We’ve been playing with a lot of metal bands. It’s been really cool.
PW: Nice, I love that area for music, New Mexico, Arizona, so much talent out there.
JE: Yeah this tour has really been good.
PW: So tell me about the tour. This particular one you seem to be ALL
OVER the place, Festivals, Colleges, Venues, Radio Stations–do you feel the difference in each and do you like it?
JE: Wow, that’s really interesting that you ask that. Most people don’t get that each place by nature is different. With the college sets it forces us to be more simple with the sets. You never know if you’ll be playing a concert hall or a cafeteria, so it’s been an experience, but in the same respect, the venues are great too. We love them all for very different reasons.
PW: So does this tour you’re on, does it have a name, or a distinction?
Jesse laughs and calls out to the band “Hey guys, do we have a name for this tour? Think about that for a minute.”
JE: It’s funny we were just talking about that, and right now we don’t have a name. If you can think of one and send it our way, with our approval, we’ll name it that. We’re always on the road though, like that candy that doesn’t quit…the Everlasting Gobstoppers, that’s what it’s called, we’re on the “Gobstoppers” tour.
PW: Looks like you beat me to the punch. So this label you’re on right now, what’s it called and are they mainly responsible for the booking or are you involved in it as well?
JE: Yeah, we’re with United Interests out of Boulder Colorado. We just had a dinner thing with them. It was really good to spend some time with them, ya know? They’re good people.
PW: I had an opportunity to speak via email with Erin Barnes. I have to tell you, I have rarely witnessed a label to forward speaking in their adoration of its bands. They love you.
JE: Really? Aww man, that’s so cool. We have been really active with them and the booking agent in where and when we play. It’s been great. The Monolith (Festival in Morrison Colorado) was pretty amazing! We like to play the rock and roll music for the people.
PW: So does the road affect your writing at all?
JE: With the great many sounds we come across, it does affect our music, and writing. Some of it makes us want to quit. But there are more reasons to keep going, like, I’m staring at a million mountains right now.
TS: I think you just wrote a lyric.
JE: HAHA Yeah, it’s something else…..
Jesse stops talking to me, a band mate catches his attention and informs that the “Knight Rider” car is on the road, everyone wants to see it.
PW: So you have had a rotating line up, why is that?
JE: Well, it was that way for about a year and a half. People’s other projects and so forth. I’ve been able to work with some very talented people too. But the line up now as I see it is solid as Robbie, Tom, Justin, Collin and I. I see us all playing together 60 years from now saying things like “Hey remember when we were good?” We’ll be playing the same songs too.
PW: Speaking of songs, this new LP, Everything Touches Everything, what was it that brought out that name? Were you in a moment, was it heavy? Because that title is pretty weighty.
JE: Actually, it’s a quote from Borges. We wanted to take from someone who was much better than us. 
PW: Ahhh, still the songs in it are also quite heavy. Do you write as a collective or alone?
JE: Well, I write with acoustic guitar, but then I bring it to the band and we all have a say. Like there may be a song that I think is it, but then it doesn’t turn out ya know.
PW: This particular LP has plenty of Biblical undertones, specifically, “Conquest and Consequence.” You make reference to the beheading of John the Baptist, a blood red sky and Jesus on the cross, can you elaborate on that?
JE: I think politics are fascinating, the Bible is fascinating. The Bible is a list of some of the most amazing stories ever told, why not draw from it? We also worked around that song for a while, finally took a 4th crack at it, and there it was. (He takes a census of the song to his band mates) It’s one of the best tracks for sure for us.
TS: How do you feel when you are compared to other bands, simply because of the nature of music? I, myself, felt tones of Modest Mouse. Does it bother you?
JE: Take it seriously, but not too seriously..especially if it’s a harsh criticism. Just learn from it if you can.
TS: And how do you feel about someone referring to you in any specific genre, like Folk or Americana?
JE: I think Americana is probably the best place we fit, because it’s so broad. I like Americana, as a great big stew pot. It’s like it’s all of it like a mutt. I love those types of dogs, just a bit of everything, scruffy, like us.
TS: I like that concept too.
Jesse stops for a moment, there is a silence, then talking in the background.
JE: We’re passing “Garden of The Gods” road, all we see is a Days Inn and a Super 8. It’s funny.
It’s interesting to hear out loud how his mind processes; he’s not afraid to say it.
PW: So Jesse, tell me, after this tour, will you go right back on the road, or into studio?
JE: Definitely back into studio. We have a batch of about 20 songs to pull from, too, so we’re excited to see where it goes.
PW: And where will it go, studio wise? Back to DC?
JE: Kinda going all over the place for the next one. Maybe Philly or Colorado.
PW: Well, I thank you, Jesse, and thank your band for me. It was a pleasure to speak with you and I’m hoping to catch a live set soon. Jesse….Jesse?
At 1:43 p.m. The Rockies cut us off. We were done anyway. Funny how it all just works out.
These United States: website | myspace | @ monolith | album review
