Quick Q and A with Elana James (Hot Club of Cowtown)
 by Cliff Garber  ·  15 April 2009

Elana James is not only just a member of Hot Club of Cowtown but she has her own solo career happening. She has impressed the best of the best and has even toured a few times with Bob Dylan as a featured instrumentalist in his band. Read all about Elana on her website: http://www.elanajames.com

Tell me about your musical influences. (or give me three albums you must have on a deserted island.

I grew up playing classical violin (Suzuki method) so used to listen to and play classical music as a kid. Later on I got into fiddle music in high school. Some of my favorite CDs from back then, though, were Squeeze (Singles, 45s and Under), The Roches (The Roches), and Paul Simon. But have always been fascinated with India and Gypsy music, and I used to be in love with Joshua Bell.

Describe the Hot Club of Cowtown five years from now.

We’ll have more time at home to create, write, practice and grow and when we tour our live shows will be more killer than ever, and our kids, wives, and husbands, dogs and ponies will all be with us backstage :)

After expending all that energy and excitement, what do you all do to unwind after the show?

On tour we usually wind down by hopping back in the van and driving six hours through the night to the next show! But only sometimes. Festivals are really good for that because after your set you can wander around and see all the other acts, how other people do their shows, and get knocked out by them, get inspired. We just saw the Blind Boys of Alabama this week in Australia and it was deep and amazing.

What media gets you the most visibility these days?

Well, TV for sure. We’ve had some success with that in the UK, but not yet in the USA. We are kind of like a “build it and they will come” kind of a band, though, so all that will come in time. Who would have thought you could tour globally for ten+ years at this point doing something as esoteric and non-mainstream as we do, and have the success with it that we’ve had?

Tell me what’s on your ipod?

Shnuckenack Reinhardt (a great Roma fiddler), Stephane Grappelli, Liz Phair, Tom Waits, Lata Mangeshkar (Bollywood singer), Dixie Chicks.

Mac or PC?

Mac (but it’s always breaking down!)

Whose dog is that in the photos and what’s her name?

Eva is my dog. She’s our stage manager and handles security.