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Photos by Stephanie Struyck Elgin
Mix the eclectic sounds of the Counting Crows with bands like The Black Keys, Death Cab for Cutie and Incubus, and you have The Sea Over Eli. Unique, talented and artistic, The Sea Over Eli consists of Boston born songwriter Graham Peck and Los Angeles native and guitarist Blake Baldwin.
An Indie/Alternative rock band, The Sea Over Eli “covers a sonic landscape that can be as reflective and as energetic as anything you’ve ever heard.”
Lead singer and songwriter, Graham Peck made his way to the west coast after gaining acceptance to California Institute of the Arts in Valencia just a few years ago. Having had no formal training in music, Graham was looking for the opportunity to be a part of a prestigious music program. “Getting accepted into the program was cool. I played trombone in high school but I never really had any training,” states Graham. “I am lucky, because I was born with talent to teach myself instruments and had a good ear. I made the decision to improve that with schooling.”
Graham just finished his third year at Cal Arts. During the last semester of his freshman year, Graham met Blake after he posted an interest in forming a band. Blake is a recent graduate of Cal Arts and will be attending graduate school at Cal Arts this fall. “Blake and I mesh well when it comes to creative writing,” states Graham, “yet he has his own unique style. He’s disciplined, practices for hours every day and can materialize any parts I think up. I am very fortunate to play with my best friend and such a talented guy.”
While there have been a variety of drummers and bassists throughout the years, Graham and Blake have been the defining faces of The Sea Over Eli. The band has played at the UCLA Dance Marathon, The Viper Room, Westwood Brew Company and more. They also lend their talent at various non-profit organization events. Just a few months back, Graham entertained guests at a luncheon for Kindle Ranch, a program in development to help children with chronic illnesses and disabilities as well as for non-profit organizations to utilize for their programs. Last month, Blake entertained crowds at the annual Great Strides walk, benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and their efforts to find a cure and help improve the quality of life for those living with Cystic Fibrosis. “I think it is important to use our art to help others,” states Graham. “Music is made not for one’s self, but rather for the community’s enjoyment, and it should benefit the community in as many ways as possible.”
The band recently released their first EP titled Architects. “It’s your basic love, loss, heartbreak themes, but with some added meanings. Names in the Pavement, the first track, is about loving someone, but it is also about loving and relationships between musicians and their songs,” states Graham. “The third song, Days in Church, has many themes to it, but its memories of people that have passed away in ones life and the ways you dealt with them. Personally, the song Wake Me Up, is my all-time favorite that I have written. It is simple, yet very deep.”
Captivating and unique, The Sea Over Eli has been said to “break new ground in familiar territories with their simple yet clever musical sensibility.” Be sure to check them out on Facebook or visit their website to download a copy of their new EP.
To learn more about the band, visit www.theseaovereli.com, theseaovereli.bandcamp.com or you can like them on facebook at www.facebook.com/theseaovereli.
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