Start Listening To: elkyn

‘holy spirit social club’ recruits indie-folk fans in search for musical salvation.

Joel Donnelly created elkyn as a platform to host his inner debates, demons and memories lingering on the edges of metaphysical heaven and hell. On his new album, ‘holy spirit social club’, he raises from the profane, dark streets of the mind into an illuminating sacrum verse resounding with blissful indie-folk notes. It’s brave to confess such personal thoughts, especially in a public digital space.

Today, we talk to get close to the divine.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

My name is Joey Donnelly, I’m from York but live in Leeds now. I make sad folk/indie folk which at the heart of it is just an acoustic singer-songwriter project. 

How did it all start?

I started doing music when I was 8 playing trumpet, joining orchestras and choirs and big bands. Then when I went to secondary school I picked up the acoustic guitar to play with my older brother. I started playing gigs with his project (epilogues) when I was 13 for a long time and started a rock band called ‘push’ with my mate when we were in school and through uni. Then I started writing acousticy music when I first moved to uni in 2016, and that’s when elkyn started. Me and my brother got together on weekends and started recording ‘beech’. 

If you were to describe your sound to someone who’d never heard you before, what would you say?

It’s like the soundtrack to those moments when you’re alone, locked away in your room with the curtains closed thinking back on what the fuck you’ve even done for the last 5 years. 

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming album ‘holy spirit social club’?

So this was all worked on through the lockdowns on zoom calls and voice notes then recorded at The Nave as soon as we were allowed out. I’d written a lot of the songs years ago when I started and worked with Mark (producer) to make them what they are now. It was quite a big jump from my ep ‘beech’ which I just recorded in bedrooms with my brother using one microphone for the entire thing. 

Can you tell us more about the themes behind the album?

There’s a lot chucked in there I think and probably some things that I’ll even miss myself. I wrote all this when I was like 18 through to 22? Maybe? So I think it’s a lot to do with those first years of being thrown into adulthood and not really dealing with it too well. There are a lot of themes of regret and just being young and stupid and making decisions too rash cos I didn’t know what to do. It’s a lot to do with struggle. None of the themes are exactly hopeful or optimistic, as uplifting as some of the songs sound.  

If the album was a person, how would you introduce them to your mate?

I probably wouldn’t, ha. But I think if it was a person it’d be honest and real, probably a bit too defeatist though. 

What inspires your music?

Family, friends, homes, being sad.  

What advice would you give for anyone trying to achieve a similar sound to your band? 

I’m very lucky with the people I’ve got round me in my band and my producer, they know a hell of a lot about all the techy stuff. But I think just get people who like similar stuff and don’t worry too much about exposing yourself through your music in an honest way, and it’ll gel. And an e-bow, i feckin love those things. 

If your music were a film or TV show which would it be?

Normal People. A lot of the songs are about pretty similar situations that happen in that. Took me a good few weeks to get over finishing that program. Still think about it. 

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s important to you?

Threads by Now, Now. My brother shared it with me when I moved away from home and I couldn’t stop listening to it. They’ve just released a 10 year anniversary edition and it’s very special. I’ve listened to that album since writing the first elkyn stuff and still listening and drawing from it now. It’s just a very very beautiful album and I don’t think it’ll ever get old.

What do you hate right now? 

A lot of things. It’s just been a shit few years for everyone and I think it’ll take a long time to get back to normal.  

What do you love right now?

Biscuits. Can’t get enough of em. Probably gonna have to stop eating so many pretty soon. 

What comes next in the elkyn’s story?

More gigs and more music! Sitting on quite a lot of music.

What upcoming 2022 music releases are you most excited about?

Jordana - she’s releasing an album in May I think and I’ve loved everything she’s put out. 

Sadurn - my mate put me onto them recently and already very excited about their new album. 

Oso oso - I think they’re bringing out a new album… I really hope so. One of my all time favourite bands

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Check out the new album ‘Holy Spirit Social Club’ and come catch us at a show on this tour!