With their music, Birmingham, Alabama-based Future Elevators aim to “achieve a feeling of elevation”, certainly accomplished on new track “Machine Maker”. With lyrical imagery establishing a post-apocalyptic landscape, the pleading hook – “oh why oh why, won’t you leave us alone? / I try and try just to make a machine,” – succeeding on every front. The vocals and twangy accompaniments remind of Andrew Bird, especially the beginning section of the verses. There’s a slight Western twang and hint of futurism here, though at its core the chorus serves as simply a stunning slice of indie-pop hookiness.
Back to the band name, frontman Michael Shackelford says “It’s about trying to rise above and be the best possible version of yourself, and for some reason I kept thinking about the glass elevator in Willy Wonka as a visual metaphor for this band I was putting together.”
The track’s music video below, directed by Chris Hilleke, is well worth watching as well. Here’s some info on the video’s production process:
