Vancouver has produced a number of high quality bands and the latest one to come across our desk is no exception. Elias generated some good buzz when Spin.com chose them as one of of “Eight must-hear bands from B.C.” alongside well-known acts such as Black Mountain, The Organ and You Say Party! We Say Die!,  Comprised of Brian Healy (vocals/ piano/guitar), lead guitarist Rob Tornroos and drummer Stefan Tavares, Elias have won over their fans with their dynamic live performances, and mysterious, unique and eerily comforting recorded rhythms. Their latest album, Lasting Distraction, released earlier this month, was produced by all-star duo Sean Penner and Aaron Nordean (Hot Hot Heat) and mixed by Mike Fraser (Franz Ferdinand, ACDC). We had a chance to ask Rob Tornroos a few questions about their home town, touring and influences.

What local Vancouver band are you guys really diggin on right now?

Rob: My favourite local band/artist at the moment would have to be Hannah Georgas. Having played a few shows in her band I had to learn all of her old and new songs and now I can’t get them out of my head if I tried. Her songs are so catchy and quirky and her vocals are just phenominal! Also recently got the Dan Mangan CD (from himself on the side of the highway outside of Canmore BC when we stoppped to meet up for 5 minutes) and I must say the first song”Road Regrets” is the song of the moment for me. It is truly a “gem” of an opening track!

What’s your favorite part of touring?

Rob: My favourite part of touring is getting to leave the everyday routine at home and not having to do the same job day after day that I have done for the past 6 years. Having just got back from a short tour I still don’t know what day it is nor do I care. Things get fun when everyday feels like a Friday! 

What’s you favourite Radiohead album and why?

Rob: Tough question! This is probably one of the hardest questions to answer. Every Radiohead album represents a specific time in my life and I feel very nostalgic when listen to each. The Bends is the first album I ever became obsessed with. It was my bible back in 1995 and to some degree still is today. It sums up perfection to me. But this question is still so tough because everytime they release an album it becomes my favourite to some degree. Every album is so smart, unique and mindblowing it has people saying “why didn’t I think of that?” Some of it is so simple but so genius…. The way they have introduced new instruments into mainstream music is just incredible. I think my favourite at the moment would have to be “In Rainbows”. In kind of represents a perfect album to me; it has everything I would wish my own album would have….

What’s the best and worst part of the Vancouver music scene right now?

Rob:
Best: The best part of the scene right now is how close knit it all is. For the first time in along time, everyone is friends and there to support eachother. Vancouver use to be uber competitive so it is great when you can go to a show or a house party and run into members of Said The Whale, Hey Ocean, Dan Mangan, The Zolas, Adaline, The Painted Birds, Hannah Georgas etc.. all there having a good time together. It’s a pretty fun time……
Worst: The constant closure of music venues. This problem has been spoken of a lot over the past few years but it’s getting worse and worse….If we were a starting out band there would be no clubs available for us to play and learn how to get comfortable on stage. It is a huge problem in Vancouver at the moment. I think a major change needs to occur or else the city will lose its identity and be over run by generic rock radio nickleback bands…….. which would kill any credibiltiy that Vancouver had gained over the past 20 years….. Matt Good speaks a lot about this issue, check his blog and see what he says……

If you could steal anything from a girl’s closet what would it be?

Rob: Skin Care Products! Working outside in the sun constantly, stressing out to the max and wearing a constant frown has given my face some premature wrinkles so I would love to steal some rejuvinating lotions and creams to smooth out my crows feet and give me that tight wrinkle free complextion you see in all those biore commercials.