the E.L.F.

NEW E.L.F SONGS // First Gig playing new "Drive Bye Folk" Album~~~

2012-01-06T21:35:00.000-08:00

Hello...YES YES.
It's been a while.
My new E.L.F album "Self described as" DRIVE BYE FOLK to be premiered in support of my other band Betty Airs FOR FREE at the Town Hall Hotel Newtown Saturday 14/01/11.
I gonna be on around 8pm- armed with a capo and acoustic guitar.
Song to released into the world real soon.
YESSSSSSSssssss......

E.L.F album number Two

2011-12-12T23:02:00.000-08:00

YES SIR EEEE.
HURRAH HURRAH!!!the New E.L.F album two is taking shape.

JUMBALYA.

2011-10-05T04:05:00.001-07:00

My other new band BETTY AIRS

2011-03-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

BETTY AIRS Bandcamp
Betty Airs Facebook
Betty Airs Blog

E.L.F exclusive album story on PEDESTRIAN.TV site

2011-02-22T02:54:00.000-08:00

E.L.F exclusive album story on PEDESTRIAN.TV site

Polaroids of Androids E.L.F Album Review

2011-02-13T19:04:00.000-08:00

Polaroids of Androids Album Review

The E.L.F.
Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits
9.2/10

"I just wanna get these songs out there"

Speaking with a mixture of relief and excitement, Darren Cross (aka The E.L.F), blushes and glances down at his beer for a minute before continuing.

"I'm going to delete all the songs, buy a new hard drive in the new year and start on the next thing"

A few minutes later, as his mind quickly traces back over this statement, he amends this dramatic claim slightly, explaining that before he digitally formats an important part of his life he's planning to "properly archive it all away somewhere."

Closure seems to be a central theme throughout Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits, Cross' debut full length release which he progressively leaked throughout the tail-end of 2010, before officially "releasing" just before Christmas. When pushed (gently) during our hour long chat, and drowned in another jug of beer (or seven), he admits that the majority of Plankton was recorded about two years ago, off the back of a difficult break-up.

"Let's make some memories worth keeping"

Regret is probably a close second. The opening track Never Again presents itself as a stream of consciousness. Emotional baggage dumping, delivered through gritted teeth and flashes of determination, where nothing is left unsaid. Cross later explains that Never Again is the purest thing on the record, that he woke up one day, put his headphones on and hit record. Words flowed out. Some of them sentences that had been trapped in his head for months and others that he freely admits didn't make much sense at all. It hardly mattered.

"I don't need these lousy memories"

Contradictory and logically limping, but these situations always are. Arguments, explanations and excuses don't flow as smoothly as they do in your head. You can't remember the point you are trying to make. But it's your effort that's important, the emotional waste you're discarding from your brain and heart is just a small part of it. Shit doesn't go down like it does in the movies, no matter how many times you rehearse it. This flawed sense of humanity is the record's finest quality. Cross doesn't focus on anything here. His perspective, thoughts and feelings are unsettled, leaping around the place as he recalls memories, attempts to explain his point of view and occasionally just shuts down, locking everyone out and murmuring some angry words under his breath.

"I can still remember the sound of your car coming home..."

From Never Again the record builds slightly in positivity, with Cross' cheeky personality and his obvious concern for being "too emo" occasionally popping up through mirages of positivity and cleverly disguised behind brave faces and pop masquerades. The side A trio of Ain't Goin' Out Like That, (Fuck You All And) GOODNIGHT and You really LOVE It walk this line best. Backed by an often overly-dramatic sense of pain, uncertainty and optimism, but hazed with Cross' tongue-in-cheek, bubbly personality and awkward charisma, the three songs best articulate the record's hidden level of complexity that's masked by the duct-tape production and Live Journal lyrical brain-unloading.

The record's middle portion is dominated primarily by E.L.F's music rather than his words. While they aren't instrumental tracks, Audrey, Avec Moi.Avec Vous/Runaway and Distant Ping(ECHO Request) switch the focus momentarily, not only through their increased level of production variety, but also on their unexpected twisting and turning, breaking from the more linear paths of the album's earlier pieces and flipping emotional responsibility from the man onto the music.

The two sides then meet up in the middle for Then The Wheels Leave The Ground, where, even though the lyrics are almost completely indecipherable, they still join hands and jog up the mountainous musical accompaniment as it repeatedly builds to a peak, before galloping down the other side, celebrating the record's long awaited first signs of complete carefree-dom.

With a weight roughly the size of planet Earth now removed from his shoulders, it's obviously time to celebrate. The two closing tracks — Will We Ever Know and The Anti Nightmare — overflow with self-confidence and nonchalant euphoria. Musically, they take more of an obvious party route, closer aligned to Rave Cave ELF's glittery early days. While this leap might feel slightly drastic, it makes sense within the confines of the album's cathartic pilgrimage. This record is about sorting shit out, moving on, moving the world as you know if from the pain-and-tonic present into a distant memory in the rearview mirror. And there's only one barrier in the way, breaking through that is the only goal. This record relentlessly fights at this for twenty-or-so minutes, before — somewhere around Distant Ping(ECHO request)/Then the wheels leave the ground — it finds a slight crack. Sunlight shines through and all of a sudden everything seems to be OK.

This album isn't for everybody. Darren, amidst our chat about '90s bands reuniting, beer-powered cars and other silly ideas, acknowledges that the stark honesty and upfrontness of this album is something that many will find unsettling. But for those of us who enjoy their music not only conveying a believable sense of emotion, but also utilised as an artistic outlet for battling through the bullshit of everyday life, this album is an intoxicating cocktail of bummertime bliss. Even if you don't like this record yet, store it somewhere safe, because one day you'll probably need it.

Words by Jonny

E.L.F now on Bandcamp!

2011-02-06T21:09:00.001-08:00

hey everyone-the E.L.F album now on bandcamp!

Go here to check it out!

Megaupload Premium ran out!

It's Free.the E.L.F debut album Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David city limits .

2010-12-14T13:33:00.000-08:00

TIMPANI DRUMROLLLLLLLL.

Here it is.
The debut E.L.F album.
3 years in the making.
Feel free to distribute the album download which includes artwork and lyrics to as many people as you want to in the galaxsphere of the online world!
It's free.
Download The E.L.F. Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David city limits HERE.
LINK DEAD>

Proudly presented by Oaks Records.
cheers
Darren.

Paypal donation button-pay what you like!

Debut album for free .E.L.F HAS GONE NUTSSSSS

2010-12-07T02:42:00.001-08:00

Freer than free!
E.LF is set to release his debut album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits" as a free online download in time for Xmas..yeah ELF =free Xmas gift.
The album will be available from his http://elfcontact.blogspot.com/ blog December 18th just in time for the holidays.
E.L.F has been working on the album for the two years and thinks that the best way for people to hear his new music "Immediately" is as a free download!
The album shifts from acoustic/reverb/ distorted disco jams to downbeat future electronica then back to uplifting skewed feelgood dance reminiscing of his old euphoric days in Gerling.
The album is presented by Oaks Records.

www.soundcloud.com/elfcontact
www.myspace.com/theelff

NEW E.L.F- "THE ANTI NIGHTMARE".Song 10 from the free online E.L.F album 'Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits".

2010-11-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

NEW E.L.F- "THE ANTI NIGHTMARE".Song 10 from the free online E.L.F album 'Plankton Icke and Tina Turner
David City Limits".The album will be available around Xmas for a special
ELF Xmas treat as a whole bundle with artwork.Bitte!

Download "THE ANTI NIGHTMARE" here.
http://snd.sc/eXcFVe

WILL WE EVER KNOW?-song nine from my free online album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits">

2010-11-22T19:41:00.000-08:00

WILL WE EVER KNOW?-song nine from my free online album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits". Full Album available free real soon!(woop woop)>
http://soundcloud.com/elfcontact/will-we-ever-know
Will we ever know?free download

Then the wheels leave the ground.song NUMBER 8 from the free online E.L.F album PLANKTON ICKE AND TINA TURNER DAVID CITY LIMITS

2010-11-15T22:02:00.000-08:00

NEW FREE E.L.F Song-song NUMBER 8 from the free online E.L.F album PLANKTON ICKE AND TINA TURNER DAVID CITY LIMITS.Tell your friends -Share the love.

Then the wheels leave the ground. by elfcontact

NEW E.L.F SONG Distant Ping (Echo Request)!!!! song NUMBER 7 from the free online E.L.F album PLANKTON ICKE AND TINA TURNER DAVID CITY LIMITS

2010-11-09T23:01:00.001-08:00

NEW E.L.F SONG Distant Ping (Echo Request)!!!! song NUMBER 7 from the
free online E.L.F album PLANKTON ICKE AND TINA TURNER DAVID CITY
LIMITS---and today is the 10/10/10 SO MAGIC STARTS NOW.

Distant Ping (Echo Request) free download here amigos

The genre for the debut E.L.F Album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits" is FUTURE SPOKEN SHOEGAZE...

2010-10-31T22:39:00.001-07:00

NEW E.L.F SONG!!!Avec Moi,Avec Vous (Runaway with me)

2010-10-31T00:24:00.000-07:00

Avec Moi,Avec Vous/Runaway with me....free download

New E.L.F song. Audrey.(émeute du cœur)

2010-10-19T07:56:00.001-07:00

Audrey.(émeute du cœur).5th song by E.L.F aka Darren Cross aka IKO IKO's free online download album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits".A new free song available for download a week.You Really Love It. Free Download.Video.
SONG HERE

You Really Love It.

2010-10-12T00:44:00.000-07:00

You Really Love It.
4th song by E.L.F aka Darren Cross aka IKO IKO's free online download album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits".A new free song available for download a week.

You Really Love It. Free Download.
Video.

(Fuck you all and) Goodnight.

2010-10-03T02:30:00.000-07:00

3rd song (Fuck you all and) Goodnight.
from my free online album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits". A new song uploaded a week for free.
(Fuck you all and) Goodnight

2010-09-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

free internet E.L.F album..Plankton Ike and Tina Turner David City Limits.A new song released everyweek.7 day Cycle.

2010-09-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

E.L.F aka Darren Cross aka IKO IKO free internet album..Plankton Ike and Tina Turner David
Song one City Limits.A new song released everyweek.7 day Cycle. NEVER AGAIN
Song two Ain't Going "Out" like that.

new song Never Again.

2010-09-16T02:21:00.000-07:00

New Song NEVER AGAIN-from my album "Plankton Icke and Tina Turner David City Limits" to be released sometime in the next 80 years.
peacer.
Jean.

NEW E.L.F SONG STREAMED adn on MYSPACE!!!!

2010-06-20T22:01:00.001-07:00

http://www.ford-davis.com/post/717859866/unedited-facebook-chat-with-darren-cross-gerling#disqus_thread

E.L.F. djing at MGMT party this week!

2010-04-05T18:25:00.001-07:00

Djing at CHAIRLIFT & PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND (BOTH AMAZING)

2010-01-03T00:08:00.000-08:00

NEXT DUM DUM CLUB!

2009-11-22T15:25:00.000-08:00

E.L.F> djing with chairlift and Phenomenal Handclap Band

2009-11-12T21:42:00.000-08:00

Im main dj support for the upcomin Chairlift and Phenomenal Handclap Band!
Saturday, January 2: The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Thursday, January 7: The Manning Bar, Sydney

YEAH!
Also doing a dj tour of Adelaide 17/18th of December!
YEAH!

I felt love in Berlin.(Ich fühlte mich Verliebt in Berlin) by ELFELFELF

2009-10-30T22:31:00.001-07:00

I felt love in Berlin.(Ich fühlte mich Verliebt in Berlin) by ELFELFELF
Unreleased E.L.F JAMM which will be included on the Latest LIFTEDBROW magazine!
http://www.theliftedbrow.com/

BE MY LITTLE BABY EDIT by the E.L.F. by ELFELFELF

2009-09-30T00:47:00.001-07:00

BE MY LITTLE BABY EDIT by the E.L.F. by ELFELFELF

Next DUMDUM CLUB PARTY-straight after the VIVIAN GIRLS-SPECTRUM SYDNEY

2009-09-16T06:04:00.000-07:00

CLiff Richard Devil woman E.L.F edit... by ELFELFELF

2009-09-07T21:53:00.001-07:00

CLiff Richard Devil woman E.L.F edit... by ELFELFELF

DUM DUM CLUB FRIDAY 28 AUGUST PLAYING TIMES

2009-08-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

DUM DUM CLUB TONITE FIRST EVER E.L.F & FRIENDS MONTHLY PARTY
Playing 50's and 60's RockNRoll/Soul/Pop/Mashups/disco/punk/northern soul/
grunge
FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST
SPECTRUM Oxford St SYDNEY
playing times
8-8.30 Undercutz DJS
8.30-9 THE INHERITORS live
9-9.30 More Pop Less Rave DJS
9.30-10 BORDER THIEVES live
10-10.30 BASE CITY ROLLERs DJS
10.30-11 SAILMAKER live
11.30-late The E.L.F / KNIFE / GOLDFOOT and Friends

DUMDUM CLUB interview with www.twelvemajorchords.com

2009-08-20T23:39:00.000-07:00

FULL INTERVIEW HERE PILGRAMS

Even though he’s in full on prep mode, gearing up for the first episode of Sydney’s
newest/raddest monthly party, Dum Dum Club, Darren “Dazza C/The E.L.F.” Cross took some time out to lay low like J.Lo and tell us what it’s really all about. Enjoy the unabridged and unedited chit chat below, brought to you exclusively by e-mail: Mankinds’s way of saying “we’ve finally made it”.

Why Dum Dum Club?
Well Dum Dum club i thought sounded like a cool 50’s club..im trying to go for that kinda atmosphere..i aways thought Tex Perkins and the Dums Dums was a great name???anyway..and i didnt want to give the night an obvious 50’s night name because its a alot of all different types of music as well….I have always djed this style of music with Burke when gerling dj’s was happening and alot ding as the E.L.F-you know from Splendor in the grass-Lily Pad BIGDAYOUT-Oxford arts trendies to MUSCLES tour-you know..i kinda i will play whatever i like ..some people really love the diversity..-DUMDUMCLUB is about getting girls to have fun on the dance floor-playing little -if no electro type music—dressed up in 50’s 60’s gear -but indie stylee-not too serious you know…indie guys buy a SINATRA dinner jacket from Salvos for $10 bucks-slick your hair back and go crazy to Jerry Lee Lewis GREAT BALLS OF FIRE and then The Strokes or BIll Halley and the comets…keep the beat and tempo UP UP UP! .oh and get the weekend off from work!

What can peeps expect for a 10 dolla bill?
An Awesome few hours of old 50’s and 60’s Rock N roll-E.L.F mashups of Ronettes and stuff like that-new indie/pop/punk/Northern -grunge-Soul..dance dance dance “not too much ELECTRO!-maybe an AEROPLANE remix if we are loved up”(oh maybe some old school 80’s burners!!!)and mainly FUN.

The flyer features more mashed up genres than a Girl Talk (RIP) mp3 - is this promise of variety a curse or a gift?
NO CURSE!!!!!its a gift..Hopefully my friends and i can drum up enough great songs from history and pump it all in to a great party….all night dancing-smooching-getting fresh old school for this coming SPRING!!!!!

Can you tell us ONE COOL FACT about each of the “artists” performing that night? Don’t hold back now.
We had a monster disco jam with Marica Hynes the other day.

Who are these mysterious “friends” mentioned in the flyer?
Thats a surprise i wanna keep for the night..i dont know!!!!!!-any bands who i love who are in town and would like to come play songs..like i was trying to get Eddy Current to come along for this first night but a couple of them maybe wont be in town…keep it a mystery….

Will Dum Dum Club last forever or eventually go out with a bang like the Sun?
Um im booked for the rest of the year so hopefully people come from word of mouth ..i would love DUMDUM to be like when Erol Aklans Trash started up in London-different music of course and the Social club that the Chemical Brothers had as well ..or the heap of excellent indie/50’s/60’s all night dance clubs going strong in Berlin…just dancing and drinking and laughing.And Spectrum is such a fun place to dance at!!!!!

What’s going on with THE E.L.F.????
The E.L.F is just about finished writing my new music..its a little more serious this time…instrumental….mood enchancing!have also just started my new pop band with my new friend Matt…which is sounding very interesting..havent got a name for that yet….new school WALL OF SOUND type stuff

Fave five songs this year that should be cranked at any party/night (doesn’t have to be from this year):
1. “Rock Around the Clock” - Bill Halley and the Comets
2. “The Modern Age” - The Strokes
3. “These Boots Were Made for Walking” - Nancy Sinatra
4. “Whole Lotta Shakin” - Jerry Lee Lewis
5. “Keep Me Hanging On” - The Supremes

DUM DUM MASHUP

2009-08-19T17:23:00.000-07:00

FREE E.L.F. mashup

E.L.F> producing indie surf rockers The Touch from Adelaide

2009-08-10T02:20:00.000-07:00

YEAH! well Ive just started work producing some songs from my new friends from Adelaide called THE TOUCH.
They sound like indie surf rock/gang of four...
sounding great!
here some photos.
Also keep an eye out from my new Remix of Art VS Science -Parlez-Vous Anglais..
and i might have started another band....

E.L.F stuff

2009-08-03T03:05:00.000-07:00

Alright well its been a while but a few things happeneing in E.L.F world..
Number One!!!I AM STARTING UP MY OWN CLUB NIGHT in Darlinghurst-called DUM DUM CLUB!!!

The E.L.F & friends Presents "Dum Dum Club"
monthlyparty – 50's and 60's rock n roll/soul/pop/mashups/punk
/dance/disco/newwave/grunge/northernsoul

FRIDAY 28 AUGUST
SPECTRUM
11.30PM / $10

Djs: THE E.L.F / KNIFE / GOLDFOOT

Number two-E.L.F new e.p almost complete
Number three-my new synth pop band is forming-writing!!!
Number four-Rock and roll band starting up as well.
Number five -just remixed Parlez-Vous Anglais by Art vs Science under the E.L.F
Number six-i am in love Marilyn Munroe.
Number seven-if the devil is six than god is seven.

djing Jerry Lee Lewis to 21 year old people is FUN!!!

2009-06-22T02:34:00.000-07:00

photo by FASTLANE

E.L.F remixes the PAPER SCISSORS new single HOWL!

2009-06-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

New single from the Paper Scissors remixed by the E.L.F.
http://www.myspace.com/thepaperscissors

Howl (The E.L.F Remix) by ELFELFELF

2009-06-08T23:37:00.000-07:00

writing music-djing......

2009-06-08T03:54:00.000-07:00

Reelin' in the Years

Your everlasting summer
You can see it fading fast
So you grab a piece of something
That you think is gonna last
You wouldnt know a diamond
If you held it in your hand
The things you think are precious
I cant understand

Chorus:
Are you reelin in the years
Stowin away the time
Are you gatherin up the tears
Have you had enough of mine

You been tellin me youre a genius
Since you were seventeen
In all the time Ive known you
I still dont know what you mean
The weekend at the college
Didnt turn out like you planned
The things that pass for knowledge
I cant understand

Chorus

I spend a lot of money
And I spent a lot of time
The trip we made in hollywood
Is etched upon my mind
After all the things weve done and seen
You find another man
The things you think are useless
I cant understand

onemanparty reworking of his remix of STevie NIcks Hearts

2009-04-16T04:10:00.000-07:00

this is Steve!

go here for free download

http://soundcloud.com/elfelfelf/onemanparty-steve-slingeneyer-remix-stevienicksheartrevision

my mate Steve Slingeneyer -who is also ONEMANPARTY and also drummer in SOULWAX just delivered his reworking of his E.L.F remix of Stevie Nicks Heart!!!!
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
peace
team E.L.F

If these guys arent the biggest band i will sell my laptop and head to the SPHINX

2009-04-06T04:31:00.000-07:00

the girl of my dreeams is giving me KRISHNA

2009-04-05T23:36:00.000-07:00

(from the mind of the E.L.F) a reflective thought for the day....

2009-03-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

If Malcolm McLaren invented punk then i invented the iphone.but jesus his album DUCKROCK is so freaking great...
DUCK ROCK
WHATEVER NEVER MIND.

E.L.F dj Party in Newtown Sydney-this Friday 13th night-COME DRESSED UP.disco party

2009-03-08T03:23:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY 13th E.L.F -KNIFE-GOLDFOOT-TOKI DOKI DRESS UP DJ PARTY
dress up-freakout!!!!HERMANS BAR SYDNEY-Newtown
Host:
the E.L.F.

Party - House Party
Network:
Global

Friday, March 13, 2009 at 9:00am

Location:
cnr of City Road and Butlin Ave -university of Sydney.
Email:

Various Artists and PASh presents-ZOMBIE PROM (because even the living dead need to party!!!)
This friday the 13th at HERMANS BAR in Newtown -cnr of City Road and Butlin Ave -university of Sydney...its gonna be reat!
come dressed up and dance to Golden oldies-crazy mashups and sweet disco madness!!!

ACID JACKS -E.L.F.REMIX FoR FREE -

2009-03-07T04:24:00.000-08:00

blog it if you like it!!!!
new album coming soon.
ACID JACKS rule.
REMIX OF E.L.F BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE.
an apple a day keeps the doctor away.\
ACID JACK REMIX

a camp low hum-Wellington-New Zealand-in a forest-5th to 9th Feb 2009

2009-02-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

pictures of the BAYWATCH/E.L.F dj/LAGOON PARTY

Well a camp low hum was awesome..it was like seeing a movie that at the time was exciting and fast and fun but after a few days it still is lingering in yr pysche under the"that was special" category.
Blink who ran the whole thing was a true professional..jesus -he looked after everything-5 stages-800 campers-60 bands/staff -i even saw the guy clearing rubbish..fuck knows if he slept!
Thanks also to Heather and the Adelaide street house for letting me stay!And NATO for the lift back into town and Sally for being nice!

Camp highlight bands for me was NUMBER ONE-NUMERO UNO with out a doubt..the RUBY SUNS..freaking amazing...kinda like where the avalanches meets el guincho=SPECIAL.
the RUBY SUNS.
Second favourite -Next up -was the craziest motherfooker i have ever met..from Sydney although i have never met him was TOeCUTTER
His live show is astounding..using 2 samplers and a crappy laptop he found on a bus..its the missing link between breakcore and happycorehaus..thats not giving him credit..you just gotta check it out!!
Justice Yeldam was also awesome..he is from sydney as well and looks like a young David Crosby..he plays a sheet of glass mic'd up -blowing onto it and rubbing it..and the sound is extremely unique..he then smashes the glass on his head...i hung out with both TOeCUTTER and JUSTICE YELDAM and their lovely parnters "lil'KEG" and Phoebee for the duration of my time at camp...they dumpster dove on the way to camp and got all this nice food from a bin which i snacked on!

the E.L.F (me)played my show headlining or the last band on-on the dancezone on the first night..i actually played in a Forest at about 1.30 am..amazing..i felt like a real EWOK!!!went down well..got 3 encores...the next day i djed at the BAYWATCH/LAGOON party which was awesome...everyone in the lagoon started at Whirlpool when i played the E.L.F. turbo edit of JUMP AROUND.. ..got blasted by the KIWI sun !!!!
Other fav bands were Paint your golden face and GOLDEN AXE.
Will try and find some more photos on the net as they happen!!!!
PS also played a show at MIGHTY MIGHTY with TOeCUTTER in Wellington and a dj set set with him as well..which was awesome fun and and awesome bar!!!!
cheers
E.L.F.

NEW ZEALAND TV REPORT ON CAMP

E.L.F. off to New Zealand to play at A CAMP LOW HUM 2009 !!YEAH

2009-02-01T01:52:00.000-08:00

this is Blink.

YEAH!!im off to play at A CAMP LOW HUM in Wellington-check out A CAMP LOW HUM -which is a seminal 100% indie festival run by MR BLINK who rules!!!!

A Low Hum is an on-going concert tour in New Zealand's and is important for rising bands and alternative music groups[citation needed]. It was founded by professional photographer and music impresario Blink (born Ian Jorgensen), and is based in Wellington, New Zealand. As of 2008, A Low Hum has organised and supported tours for over seventy musical acts from New Zealand, USA, Australia and beyond.

In 2007, A Low Hum entered new territory as the producer of a major new live music festival, Camp A Low Hum, held on a large rural campsite close to Wainuiomata, 30 minutes drive north of Wellington. Attended by an intimate 350 campers, 49 bands performed on February 3rd, 4th and 5th, making Camp A Low Hum among New Zealand's largest music festivals. In 2008 the festival spanned a total of four days featuring over 60 bands and doubling in audience numbers to around 700, according to Blink, the maximum capacity.

In 2007, after having released music for a few years in conjunction with its magazine, A Low Hum ventured further into the territories of a traditional record label by starting a monthly subscription-based CDR singles club and releasing albums by local New Zealand artists, Disasteradio and The Enright House.

and also playing with TOECUTTER at MIGHTY MIGHTY in WELLINGTON 4th February
AND I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cockroaches video at a higher res.

2009-01-27T19:52:00.000-08:00

Thought i would upload a version of the infamous COCKROACHES video i made for $12 at a higher res..you can actually see my mate Steve is actually skating!
cheers
Darren

Water kite saturday Night

2009-01-21T05:17:00.000-08:00

from my new album-out soon..recreational use only.

Water kite (saturday night) by ELFELFELF

2009-01-12T03:05:00.000-08:00

E.L.F covers Bruce Springsteen DANCING IN THE DARK for awesome Spanish blog BUFFETLIBRE

2009-01-07T22:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.buffetlibredjs.net/elf.mp3

Spider beats

2008-12-20T19:07:00.000-08:00

NATALIE PORTMAN in GARDEN STATE-E.L.F-The Shins vs Boy 8 bit edit

2008-12-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

Natalie Portman in Garden State-E.L.F edit "Shins VS Boy 8 bit by ELFELFELF

watched garden state again.

ACID JACKS AND SPRUCE LEE REMIX OF BOUNCE BOUNCE BOUNCE

2008-12-12T00:22:00.000-08:00

New remixes of the E.L.F's -Bounce Bounce Bounce

The E.L.F - Bounce (Acid Jacks Remix) by ELFELFELF

www.myspace.com/acidjacks

the E.L.F-Spruce Lee-BOUNCE Remix by ELFELFELF

www.myspace.com/djsprucelee

Original E.L.F. track

Bounce Bounce Bounce by ELFELFELF

E.L.F. Q & A for Brag

2008-12-10T02:31:00.000-08:00

Hey Darren, how’s the debut album coming along?

Hey Brag!Yeah the writing is coming along nicely thanksyou..interesting to say the least..have been playing around with different rhythms and sounds and in particularly different tempos..trying to do something indie/dancey but in an uncliched way-which is proving to be a challenge!!HA

How do you feel the music has evolved from your Stevie Nicks Hearts EP?

Well i put out one other E.P after the "STEVIE" e.p which was called "SUNRAY IN THE RAVECAVE"which was full influenced by 90's techno and more recent stuff like Crookers and Bloodybeetroots- which kinda seemed to confuse alot of my Gerling/Cockroaches fans so i have decided to embrace my gerling sound a hell of alot more with the new E.L.F album...intially i wanted to steer clear from a Gerling type sound but i really cant fight it any more!!!!So yeah some indie guitars/rhythms for sure!Also have been playing and djing alot-so i want something that works at home/car and/or on the dancefloor!

Have you been trying to incorporate any new instruments, sounds or influences into your new batch of songs?

Yeah definitely gone full circle..have been listening to alot of old stuff i used to listen to when i was younger that really still inspires me..alot of new soft synth/drum machine type sounds have been creeping into the new songs..basically trying to make the new E.L.F. sound awesome when a dj is playing out at a club...

You’ve also undertaken a couple of remix jobs in your time. How do you typically approach remixes? What usually inspires a remix?

I usually have to like the people i am remixing that helps--poverty is also good encouragement HHAHAAHHA but if i love the song then its usually easy because i leave the awesome bits i love and tweek it a little..like the BLUEJUICE-Vitriol remix..its such an awesome song that it was easy to tweek..also a new remix i did for these crazy TECHNO guys from MELBOURNE called ACID JACKS..i just love the acidbass line they gave so it was quite enjoyable..just about to remix JOHN STEEL SINGERS-RAINBOW KRAUT-which will be easy beacause i dig the song and the guys heaps-total champs!!

Are you still enjoying performing and writing on your own? Do you miss the band situation that Gerling offered?

-I still enjoy djing and playing live as the E.L.F-when the crowd is psyched its such a great time!!!!It was a little more fun writing and drinking with Burke and Presser though in the studio!!!!and Yeah i miss going on the road with a gang but its kinda like missing yr ex-wife when you are remarried...just get on with the situation that is awaiting a head!

You’re playing a whole bunch of Christmas shows over the next couple of weeks, including our own Brag party (plug, plug). So is there some sort of festive infatuation we should know about?

No not really-its just people seem to have heaps more parties around Christmas and they love getting an ELF involved..haha bad joke i know..and if i drink anymore LOVELLS Lager this week im going to turn into Matt Lovell!
OLE!!!PEACE

phoot by Cazbar

2008-12-08T21:56:00.000-08:00

ich....

2008-12-06T19:29:00.000-08:00

McBride is in tha house

2008-12-02T16:41:00.001-08:00

My friend Christian dropped by to lay down some "seductive" kazzy-jautrock rythmns.

Audrey.

2008-11-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

Week 3 on the Debut album island

2008-11-25T23:25:00.000-08:00

In the studio/loungeroom writing E.L.F debut album

2008-11-21T17:34:00.000-08:00

"techno?",
"no."

good golly E.L.F. feature on PITCHFORK new music!!!!!!!!YES

2008-05-13T09:55:00.001-07:00

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/forkcast/50276-the-elf-billie-stream-stevie-nicks-hearts-video

New Music: The E.L.F.: "Billie" [Stream] / "Stevie Nicks Hearts" [Video]

The E.L.F. recently finished a tour with fellow Australian dance-pop solo act Muscles, and the two share a likable enthusiasm. Where Muscles shouts about the awesomeness of ice cream or just holding your hand, what has the E.L.F., aka Darren Cross of now-defunct Aussie band Gerling, so psyched is-- fittingly enough for a guy who lists ELO, the KLF, and NWA as influences-- pop music. The E.L.F.'s debut EP is called Stevie Nicks Hearts, after all. The eponymous homebody on EP highlight "Billie" may or may not be Cross's lover, but an androgynous, processed vocal asks Billie to "come out dancing" anyway. It's the perfect subject for an artist whose music is about the intersection between the bedroom and the club, treated with propulsive, Underworld-esque synths, basic drum programming, and looped female vocals that cast an ethereal glow over the whole thing.

Stream:> The E.L.F.: "Billie"

On the EP's title track, Hayes compares himself to Shaun Ryder ("I like to get fairly drunk"), shares visions of Shane MacGowan (speaking of drunk!), and mentions feeling "like a straight Elton John hanging out with Lou Reed," all backed by a kathumping house beat, sweeping synths, trancey keyboards, and vocoder-like effects. It's somewhere between Muscles and the stylish confidence of countrymen Cut Copy, with a referential mischievousness that makes it sound like he's been hanging out with Stephen Malkmus, too-- or at least early Pavement records. The video, like his previous clip for the Beck-reminiscent "Cockroaches", is a homemade affair. Supposedly done for $12, it layers images of hearts and lightning storms, among other effects, over the sight of Cross singing into the camera. As for whether the woman behind many of Fleetwood Mac's biggest hits truly "hearts" the E.L.F., I'm still awaiting confirmation.

Purple sneakers

2008-03-30T23:14:00.000-07:00

i look grumpy..but im psyched!!!

E.L.F. BILLIE mp3 torrent

2008-03-06T19:16:00.000-08:00

Here at Oaks Records we like to keep ourseleves competitive with those big name record labels-thats why in the tradition of viral marketing we offer you-for a limited time only-a free download of the next E.L.F. track BILLIE to hopefully flood the internet..
feel free to download the track to blog about it-to hate it-to love it-to play at your dances-to play at your indie dance-to play in yr electro club-to play in Pittsburg-to play at magnet club berlin-to play at spectrum-to play at paul mccartney's wedding-to play to sub pop to convince them i am the new peter gabriel-to burn onto a cd and throw it at your landlord-to play in your car-to play to aliens-to play to hilary clinton-to play to bill gates-to play to Posh Spice-to play to the beegees-to play to ALF-to play to bill cosby-to play to Dirk Hartog and Captain Cook-to play to the MIght Booshy-to play to the Prime minister of New Zealand-to play to Axl Rose (1989 version) and to play to John Lydons fading snarl (god bless) infinity infinity

why buy when you can download.
fuck the police.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TRQI6MJ0

or here
http://download.yousendit.com/31B8BD3A1CE69CB0

best,
Darren Cross
President of Oaks Records.

E.L.F.

2008-03-03T18:49:00.001-08:00

Mt Gravatt Brisbane JB HI

2008-02-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

YES THE E

beat magazine interview

2008-02-25T14:31:00.000-08:00

http://www.beat.com.au/article.php?id=1196

The ELF

by Nick Clarke

There's nobody on my back, you know, saying you have to put out an album now!� I dont have to do anything! remarks Darren Cross aka The E.LF. on the liberation afforded by operating under his own label, Oaks Records. Cross, Gerling's amiable former front man, elected to go it alone (in every respect) almost a year and a half ago now, starting from scratch with what was, essentially, only a very vague concept of this new one man project. I didn't want to use guitar and I didn't want it to sound like Gerling, he muses retrospectively. I wanted it to be dance and that was it!

So, Gerling split. Why? �Wed done four albums and we'd been together for 12 years and it just felt natural that we should just take a break, simple as that. Well, not quite simple as that, one suspects, but Darren maintains that they all agreed and I think I bought a laptop the next day and started making music. I know it sounds cliched but if I don't play music and perform I go mental. I just had to do it, I love it.

Inevitably, when youve spent virtually the entirety of your creative, adult life as the dominant third in a successful indie band, its only natural that you use these experiences as a point of reference in describing your new venture. Certainly, in discussing the pros and cons, so call them, of this project, Cross consistently articulates the disparities between this current musical incarnation and his Gerling days.

The best thing about [The E.L.F.] is I can do everything. Im doing videos, making the music, doing my own bloody promo photos most of the time with a self-timer, management, every aspect of it.That was a lot of the problem with Gerling when youre explaining creative things to people, everyones different, and Ive got a bit of a unique slant on how the world is Sometimes the message got a bit distorted and not really how I wanted it to be. [Whereas now] It�s like Yes, this is how I want it to be. Whether good or bad, whether people like it or hate it, that's what's happening.

Similarly, in a live sense, Cross is adamant that his one man show allows for a greater degree of freedom and flexibility than Gerling's live performances. "To be honest I found that Gerling was more restrictive because, most of Gerling for the last 12 years has been to a click track so there was no room to move with tempos and stuff, it was locked into that. With a computer [in The E.L.F. shows] it is pre-recorded but I can change it. I love tempos, especially now, as Im doing the dance thing. I can whack it down to 85 and do a classic kind of old school breaks/Beastie Boys kind of thing then whack it up to 145 and do drum and bass and then down to 130. I mean thats not practical but I can do that now and I find it heaps less restrictive and heaps more creative, I love it. Its really spur of the moment.

Indeed, a frenetic run of such spur of the moment decisions led to the creation of the video to The E.L.F.s debut single Cockroaches which Darren, famously, made himself, for the miserly sum of twelve dollars with a camera he bought in 1996. However, its the worldwide attention that this video has received thats proved most astonishing, not least to Darren himself. I emailed YouTube and Im like Hey YouTube, Ive made this video, and theyre like Oh, hey man, it's really good, we'll feature it. I was like "oh yeah, whatever," and three weeks later they\�re like your video is video is the day. Then, you know, Darren received the standard 45,000 hits in the space of two hours. To date, Darrens cool, not like Interpol coolmore like Flaming Lips cool clip has received a fucking ludicrous 235,000 hits.

Anyway, The E.L.F.s soon to be released, debut EP, Stevie Nicks Hearts hits stores this week and features four of my songs and a remix that I really love. Oh, and keep an eye out for the new clip hes been working on, Darren�s quite proud of the fact that it features "lasers". One suspects he may have splashed out and spent more than twelve bucks on this occasion!

interview with mess and noise

2008-02-25T14:27:00.000-08:00

http://www.messandnoise.com/news/2115865

POP HOBBIT.

Gerling were always one of the most pure, airy and unashamedly positive forces in Australian music. Indie pop, indie rock, indie dance, indie house… they nailed it all – an eternally captivating trio of genuine space cadets in a league of their own, legendary for their versatility and youthful exuberance. Darren Cross (not the Canadian, not the rednut) ain’t calling it quits just yet! As The E.L.F., he has come to bring you joy – believe in him. With a new solo EP and label of his own, Cross is keen to prove that he’s got more than just Kylie’s digits tucked away at the bottom of his backpack. You can catch him skipping around Australia’s major cities showing off his gleaming grin and buoyant, tech-y treasures. A pleasant feeling will stay with you long after this beat goblin has left the venue, long after you hear his Stevie Nicks Hearts EP, long after you read this raw, verbatim email interview. When The E.L.F. is a mere dot bopping on the horizon, you’ll understand why we couldn’t bring ourselves to edit his words. They’re gerly gospel – it’s all part of a twenty-first century electro fantasy.

ADRIAN TRAJSTMAN asks questions of THE E.L.F.

According to my day of research, the first Gerling release, Sedatives for Dead Radars, came out in 1995 on Steve Pavlovic's Fellaheen label. Now over a decade has passed, and times have changed. Pavlovic has his hyper-successful Modular label, and I can't help but notice that you've maintained strong ties with some of the bands on its roster, such as The Presets and The Avalanches. How does The E.L.F. react to the strong aestheticism and retro-futurist movement in contemporary Australian dance music spearheaded by Modular and bands like Midnight Juggernauts?

I love it!!! Hahaha. Heaps of young people love dance music in Australia more than ever. I think it's great that some dance music with an indie edge is getting lots of people excited and dancing!

I wouldn't say I have strong ties with all of the bands you mentioned but when a band says they like what I'm doing I really get excited. It's a nice feeling to be accepted by your peers sometimes, especially if you admire their music and what they do!

Steve Pav is a very smart guy. I can learn many things from him, his career and his record company, to make my record company OAKS RECORDS totally awesome!!!!

You've just announced your own MGM-distributed label Oaks Records. Who's signed so far? What kinds of artists are you looking to release?

At the moment the E.L.F. is the only signed act, with our first release being the E.L.F.'s debut E.P Stevie Nick's Hearts. When I have time and the funds I want to put out bands and music that I totally believe in and can help in some way! (All this third person typing is making my dizzy!!!!)

Young people can record pop gems at home on multi-track software, self-release CD-Rs with photocopied sleeves, get a web presence and effectively start their own DIY record label on a minimal budget. Getting widespread distribution is another kettle of often much stinkier fish. What advice would you give to bedroom labels looking to take things one step further? How did you do it?

Just find who is appropriate for what you want to do. Look at bands who you like and who they are distributed by. If they're approachable talk to the band. Email the distribution companies. Have meetings with them, find out how it all works. Ask local record stores who give a fuck. You can find out loads of info using Google as well. LOL!

Photocopied A0 and A1 posters can be effective lo-tech advertisements for independent bands and solo acts. What was the last thing you pasted up on a wall?

I sent a bunch of A3 E.L.F. photocopied posters up to Brisbane for my show at Rics bar in two weeks on Friday. I'm more into posting songs and pictures and gig info on the internet and blogs. A lot more effective I would say!!

Stevie Nicks Hearts has an almost kraut-y drive to it, with the bass firmly rooted in the one place. What's your favourite past and present German music? Which classic record would you recommend cranking?

I love Berlin as a city and check out anything by Kraftwerk or NEU! Everybody advises me to listen to Can as well…but I havent fully tripped out about them yet to be honest. All my krautrock-head friends say they rule...but from what I have heard they are amazing!!

You could definitely bliss out to the type of disco you're making. The tones and drones are divine. Do you meditate?

No I don't meditate but I do believe your brain instinctively remembers sounds and frequencies for as long as you live, and when you hear something similar you feel it (again) and you become excited. Or feel discomfort or bliss/sadness etc etc. Like smell - not that the E.L.F. smells!!!!! Hahahaha. And I guess I have experimented a lot with blissing out - so hopefully that's part of what I do and the message and sound that I send out!!!

Dr Richard Alpert (who later became Baba Ram Dass) used psychedelic substances such as LSD to explore the gardens of his mind, tune in to cosmic consciousness and experience OM. Four-to-the-floor dance music celebrates a constant rhythmic pulse that has hypnotic potential and could promote altered states. Is there a place for LSD on the E.L.F's dance floor?

Sure come along and have fun. I don't discriminate. As long as things stay positive and its a heap of fun!!!! Drinking red bull makes me trip out these days. I'm a sensitive little ELF. It sure is fun tripping out to a good sound system at maximum volume though, to music and sounds and frequencies you love!!! ITS LIKE WOW.

Do you get nostalgic about 'acid house' as a genre, tweaking the cutoff on a TB-303 (old school synth), raving till dawn and all that? What are your oldest and most beautiful techno memories?

Probably hearing Daft Punk for the first time. Darren from The Avalanches told me about them. I had never heard of them before. Changed everything. Early Underworld as well...freaking sweet. Although Daft Punk isn't really acid house - it does have some of the same elements. The TB-303 tweaking in Massive Attack's song 'Protection' still is some of my fave blissed out TB-303 moments. 'Theme from S'Express' (by S'Express) is amazing as well. I was a kid when I first fell in love with that sound!!

For you, what is the most precious moment on Pavement's fragmented epic Wowee Zowee?

'We Dance' - the first song on Wowee Zowee is amazing to me. I'm more into Westing (By Musket And Sextant). That is my favourite Pavement period. Right at the beginning. INSPIRING.

Dancing can be sexual, passionate, positive and empowering - it can be far more than simply 'letting off steam'. Pagans use dance during ritual work and spell-craft to raise energy and centre the mind. When The E.L.F. raises energy during live performance, is it focused and released with metaphysical purpose and intent or grounded and sent back to the Earth?

Um...its more about losing yourself/escapism/leaving your troubles behind for a few hours. For the E.L.F. its a bit more about having some fun. Not really too serious! I guess it is more of 'blowing off some steam or having a party" than some Chakra alignment or tantric sex!!

The K.L.F. (or 'Kopyright Liberation Front') are widely acclaimed as renegade pranksters who recognized music as political and sought to subvert the industry through their hype and hokum. Copyright now seems nearly entirely liberated in this age of torrents and P2P, where people have unrestricted access to fuckloads of records for free (including your copyrighted Stevie Nicks Hearts EP). Times have changed since Sedatives for Dead Radars came out in 1995. How have you and your attitudes to music changed?

Well there was no internet when Gerling first started so it's totally changed and different now in 2008. I love technology and torrents and stuff. I love being able to buy things from people all over the world on the net. I love downloading but I also love buying music as well. Sometimes its easier to download - sometimes its easier to buy. Like the last thing I bought two days ago was the Sigur Ros DVD Heima. Couldn't be fucked downloading it. It works on so many levels. But downloading Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' to do a comedy mash-up as a joke for my girlfriend...I didn't give a flying fuck about that!!!

Cut Copy are touring in Barcelona at the moment and after they finished their set on the weekend, the Spanish DJ dropped the E.L.F. track 'Cockroaches' and they all spun right out and got heaps psyched. Hell its exciting that someone downloaded my song and played it in Spain instantaneously. That to me is rewarding! But yeah, don't be shy in buying my new EP. If you support indies, and rip-off majors Robin Hood stylee, i dont mind!!! Here's a link to download my song 'Cockroaches'

If you like it you can buy my EP from JB-HI for $10!!! It's up 2 u!

www.myspace.com/theelff www.myspace.com/oaksrecords

the E.L.F. in melbourne photo n' review

2008-02-25T14:25:00.001-08:00

http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/12414/The-ELF-Click-Click-Melbourne-23022008.htm

mess and noise interview

2008-02-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

http://www.messandnoise.com/news/2115865

the E.L.F. launch at Spectrum Sydney

2008-02-16T23:41:00.001-08:00

photo by Maria at www.twelvemajorchords.com

Stevie Nicks hearts mp3

2008-02-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

3 DAYS UNTIL YOU CAN BUY THIS AT STORE!!!YEAHH

Smurf VS E.L.F.

2008-02-13T04:28:00.000-08:00

the E.L.F. Stevie Nicks Hearts interview with twelvemajorchords 12MC

2008-02-08T03:59:00.000-08:00

yeah my favourite blog talking all things E.L.F.
www.twelvemajorchords.com

The E.L.F. Stevie Nicks hearts mp3 online advert DIY DIY

2008-01-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

Can i say i made this for advert for my E.p for 12 cents!!! :) E.P. out real soon on Oaks.
www.myspace.com/theelff
www.myspace.com/oaksrecords

2008-01-11T03:08:00.001-08:00

photo by Zoe McMahon

2007-12-30T18:36:00.000-08:00

Oaks Records to release debut E.P. for E.L.F. in feb2008

2007-12-18T21:42:00.000-08:00

The E.L.F is very pleased to announce that Oaks Records will be releasing his debut E.P. "Stevie Nicks Hearts" in February 2008!
www.myspace.com/Oaksrecords

2007-11-26T19:24:00.001-08:00

2007-11-19T12:43:00.001-08:00

brand spanking new E.L.F t shirt

2007-11-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

2007-10-23T04:25:00.000-07:00

E.L.F. in Tasmania

2007-10-06T01:16:00.000-07:00

midnight juggeranuts are lovely lads!

2007-10-06T01:15:00.001-07:00

2007-09-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

2007-08-19T00:24:00.001-07:00

R.Stevie Moore

2007-08-13T07:04:00.000-07:00

yeah-currently sampling with the R.Stevie Moore.D.I.Y since the 50's with 400 releases,working with this elder statesmen is a buzz!
www.rsteviemoore.com/

www.youtube.com/theelff

2007-07-31T19:04:00.000-07:00

today my video for cockroaches has been featured on youtube.com! THEY RULE!
hell yeah
www.youtube.com/theelff
thanks to sean at http://www.a-reminder.org/music/ for the screen shot

2007-07-28T22:59:00.001-07:00

be my little baby E.L.F.ANIZED

2007-07-28T22:35:00.000-07:00

check out the classic RONETTES song "be my little baby" with a little bit of my E.L.F magic sprinkled on it for maximum disco.

http://www.wikiupload.com/download_page.php?id=187964

brimful of busted cockroaches

2007-07-28T22:19:00.000-07:00

http://www.wikiupload.com/download_page.php?id=187959
go here and where it says download um download ;)..this is a blend of E.L.F cockroaches/brimful of asha by the great CORNERSHOP and YOUNG MC's classic "bust a move".

2007-07-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

first E.L.F gig

2007-07-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

cheers to Angus and Maria from twelvemajorchords.com for the photo!
go here for review
http://www.twelvemajorchords.com/?p=567
i should get a job selling laptops for Apple