Illiterate Light
The band onstage
Illiterate Light performing in Charlottesville, VA
Background information
OriginHarrisonburg, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active2015–present
Labels
Members
  • Jeff Gorman
  • Jake Cochran
Websiteilliteratelight.com

Illiterate Light is an American alternative rock duo that formed in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 2015.[1] The band consists of Jeff Gorman (vocals, guitar, synth bass) and Jake Cochran (drums, vocals). They are well known for their high-energy performances and have gained a small but die-hard following due to their intense touring and dynamic live show.[2][3][4][5] They have an unconventional live performance style, with the Washington Post calling their sound "Massive."[6] Cochran plays a standing drum kit and is one of the few drummers to crowd surf, and Gorman plays a Moog Synthesizer with his feet while singing, playing guitar, and headbanging. The band notably does not perform to backing tracks.

The band's sound is rooted in rock and Americana, although they also incorporate folk and psychedelic elements into their songwriting. Their debut album Illiterate Light was released in October of 2019 on Atlantic Records. After the Covid-19 pandemic ended, their sophomore album Sunburned was released in January of 2023 by Thirty Tigers. Sunburned was considered "one of the best albums of 2023" by SPIN magazine.[7] Several press outlets have considered them one of the best modern live duos, with the Nashville Scene writing "No other band currently touring, let alone any duo, brings to the stage the same amount of passion and energy as this group, and no other band in recent memory can create such an enormous and incredibly engrossing sound with only two instruments."[8]

History

Illiterate Light was formed in 2015 by Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran. Gorman’s first instrument is the drum kit, following in the footsteps of his uncle Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes.[9][10] In an interview with Premier Guitar Gorman noted, "The first song that I taught myself was Down by the River by Neil Young."[11] Gorman and Cochran met in 2010 while attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. They formed their first band Money Cannot Be Eaten in 2011 and disbanded in 2013 after another band member quit. It was during this time that the two managed an organic farm together in Singers Glen, VA.

Jeff Gorman working on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia

[12] They also spent each summer touring by bicycle with a group of other local artists and activists.[13] Bicycles have remained an important part of their career as they now run a bicycle powered stage at Newport Folk Festival each summer.[14][15][16][17][18] Their common love of sustainability and music brought them together.[19]

Illiterate Light Performing at Newport Folk Festival 2019
Illiterate Light's Bike and Solar Powered Stage at Newport Folk Festival

They spent 2015-2018 touring heavily and ultimately signed a major record deal with Atlantic Records in 2019 and performed at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees, Newport Folk Festival, and more. Additionally they toured with acts such as Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Rayland Baxter, Shakey Graves, Mt. Joy, and The Head and the Heart.

Their debut album was recorded in Richmond, VA at Montrose Recording and Nashville, TN at Sputnik Sound with producer Vance Powell.[20] It was mixed by Vance Powell and released on October 11, 2019 to positive reviews, with their single Better Than I Used To remaining on the AAA radio charts for several months.[21][22][23] NPR sited Illiterate Light as one of the 2020 Artists To Watch Out For,[24] and additionally called Better Than I Used To one of the best songs of 2019.[25][26] The Covid-19 Pandemic cut all touring and marketing efforts short at which point Illiterate Light left Atlantic Records to pursue an independent path.

Illiterate Light performing at the Ting Pavillion in Charlottesville, VA

Their second LP Sunburned was recorded again at Montrose Recording in Richmond, VA with co-producer Adrian Olsen and engineer Danny Gibney. Sunburned marked a maturation in their songwriting towards a heavier and darker introspection, with fuzzed out guitars and copious reverb. Sunburned has received notable press and fan support, with SPIN Magazine citing it as "one of the best albums of 2023."[27][28][29][30][31] Sunburned was released on Illiterate Light's own record label Red Book Records with marketing and distribution by Thirty Tigers.[32] They followed the release of Sunburned with a 4-song EP titled Aloe, containing several songs that were written during the Sunburned sessions. Notably Always, Always features Cochran on lead vocals.[33][34][35]

Illiterate Light during the recording of 'Sunburned'

Gorman sited Neil Young as one of his primary influences on Sunburned.[36] Illiterate Light was recently considered among the top rock bands to come out of the South by Garden and Gun Magazine.[37]

They have publicly stated that they are self-producing much of their third album at Gorman's personal studio in Virginia with engineer Danny Gibney. Additionally they are working with producer Joe Chiccarelli at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA.

Gorman and Cochran at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA

Gorman is endorsed by Seymour Duncan and Ernie Ball and Cochran is endorsed by Paiste and Vic Firth.[38][39][40][41]

References

  1. ↑ Greenberg, Rudi (January 17, 2020). "Illiterate Light and its very specific sound as a band: Massive". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Kallao, Stephen; Myers, John (December 2, 2019). "When 2 People Sound Like Many: Illiterate Light Reinvents The Classic Power Duo". NPR. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  3. ↑ "LIVE SHOW REVIEW: ILLITERATE LIGHT". East of 8th Music Blog. February 13, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  4. ↑ Johnson, Colleen. "LIVE REVIEW: Illiterate Light in Boston, MA". New England Music Reviews. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  5. ↑ Nelson, John (November 22, 2022). "Review: Illiterate Light w/ Kind Hearted Strangers". Salt Lake Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  6. ↑ Greenberg, Rudi (January 22, 2020). "Illiterate Light and its very specific sound as a band: Massive". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  7. ↑ "The Best Albums of 2023 (So Far) - SPIN". Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Illiterate Light". calendar.nashvillescene.com. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ https://www.spin.com/2020/04/illiterate-light-forge-forward-in-dark-times/
  10. ↑ https://writersonthestorm.org/2019/02/23/interview-illiterate-light-breaking-out-in-nashville-growing-up-backstage-with-black-crowes/
  11. ↑ https://www.premierguitar.com/question-and-obsession-first-songs
  12. ↑ Hackney, Alicen (February 11, 2019). "Illiterate Light's Unique Journey To Musical Bliss". RVA Mag. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  13. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2022/02/17/1081121094/how-rock-duo-illiterate-light-bring-sustainability-to-live-performance
  14. ↑ "Move over Glastonbury: Newport Folk Festival showcases its green roots by powering stage with bikes". Yahoo News. July 25, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Newport Folk Festival includes stage powered by bicycles". AP News. July 23, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Move over Glastonbury: Newport Folk Festival powers stage by bike for first time". The Independent. July 25, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  17. ↑ Belmore, Ryan (July 20, 2023). "Illiterate Light bringing their bicycle-powered stage back to Newport Folk Festival". What's Up Newp. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Jamis Bikes Partners with Illiterate Light to Introduce Bicycle-Powered Stage at Newport Folk Festival". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ "From the ground up: While enjoying major-label success, Illiterate Light stays connected to its roots". C-VILLE Weekly. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  20. ↑ Newton, Karen. "Harrisonburg's Illiterate Light discovers the pull of Montrose Recording". Style Weekly. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  21. ↑ Kress, Bryan (August 23, 2019). "Illiterate Light Gets Spiritual Awakening in 'Better Than I Used To' Video: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  22. ↑ chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://pdf.mediabase.com/YearEnd20/YearEnd2020_US.pdf
  23. ↑ "Illiterate Light". C-VILLE Weekly. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  24. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2020/01/08/793450920/2020-slingshot-artists-to-watch
  25. ↑ https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2019/12/18/789164222/world-cafes-best-songs-of-2019
  26. ↑ https://www.npr.org/2019/06/26/734492599/best-songs-of-2019-so-far-page-1
  27. ↑ https://www.spin.com/2023/06/the-best-albums-of-2023-so-far/
  28. ↑ Mosk, Mitch (January 25, 2023). "Illiterate Light's "Fuck LA" and the Endless Ache of Long Distance Love". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Illiterate Light Finds A Deep Connection Between Light And Dark For "Heaven Bends"". Wildfire Music + News. October 13, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  30. ↑ Willschick, Aaron (November 9, 2022). "Illiterate Light Premiere Their Earnest Music Video for New Single "Feb 1st"". V13.net. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  31. ↑ Johnson, Tommy (January 12, 2023). "Illiterate Light Shares Latest Single "Fuck LA"". Ghettoblaster Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Artists". Thirty Tigers. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  33. ↑ "That One Song: "Don't Settle Down" by Illiterate Light". Style Weekly. September 14, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  34. ↑ Kerz, Leo; Abnet, Cyd (October 6, 2023). "Review: "Aloe" by Illiterate Light". The Scarlet. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  35. ↑ Hill, Daniel Warren (September 5, 2023). "Illiterate Light "Don't Settle Down" — Touring; New EP". Alchemical Records. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Sunburned [Exclusive Translucent Blue]". Magnolia Record Store. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  37. ↑ Gomez-Misserian, Gabriela (June 21, 2023). "The Best Rock and Roll Right Now Is Coming from the South". Garden & Gun. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Jeff Gorman". Guitar Pickups, Bass Pickups, Pedals. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Jake Cochran". Vic Firth. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  40. ↑ Drummer, Modern (April 20, 2020). "Jake Cochran on Small Kits and Playing While Standing Up". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  41. ↑ Ball, Ernie (August 11, 2022). "All Access: Newport Folk Festival". Ernie Ball Blog. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
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