Elijah Witt of New Orleans’s own Cane Hill, doesn’t seem like the type of guy who lets adversity stand in his way — be it a global pandemic or the seeming lack of enthusiasm for darker/metal bands in the Gulf Coast region. Part of this is what inspired the singer/song-writer/New Orleans-native to commence the metal outfit’s 2023 tour in his hometown on April 20, of all dates, at the House of Blues. Witt insists this “Smokestravaganza French Quarter Bonanza”is a way to showcase all the great, perhaps lesser appreciated music, of Gulf Coast metal performers such as the Crescent City’s Born Astray, Hour House, and Alabama’s Aferdusk.
Not one to feel at odds with the local plethora of jazz and blues acts, 29-year-old Witt says he feels his generation in the Gulf South actually enjoyed a moment of metal success in their region with the popularity of MySpace music once upon a time. (Of course his age group transcends the age of Grace King High School student Phil Anselmo’s Pantera but this author digresses…)
“For my age group [metal] was pretty big here. [To some extent], that’s been impacted now by a lack of all ages venues which is a detriment to a genre that is primarily attractive to younger angry kids. I don’t love the state of metal here but every time we play New Orleans, we try to do it with local bands,” says Witt, also acknowledging it’s not as advantageous for nationally popular metal acts to tour here as the financial payoff isn’t hugely rewarding. He speculates that the “walk up” culture of the city, where people usually don’t order pre-sale can have an impact.
Admittedly, after 7 years helming his band like a business (with some of the best merch this side of the Mississippi, natch), Elijah Witt isn’t shy about explaining how much commitment and savvy it takes to make your music your main source of income. He also isn’t shy about saying he likes having a roof over his head and money in the bank — a rejection of the starving artist trope.
While nationally recognized musicians across all genres such as SZA and Ringo Starr bemoan the state of touring and the profession of being a musician, Witt seems to suggest it’s been kind to him because of his adherence to keeping it professional. (Bands like Joyce Manor, featuring former local darling Donovan Wolfington leader Neil Berthier/PHONY seem to be doing just as well with their positive outlook and touring success.) Cane Hill actually turned a profit during Covid-19 while other bands seemed to struggle under the massive weight of lacking a live audience.
“Touring builds a community that I suppose larger artists don’t necessarily need anymore,” he says. The community of fans he and his quartet established kept him afloat during the pandemic and he’s excited to bring the energy they were missing to the House of Blues stage and on tour this year.
These days, Elijah Witt has managed to find a groove with his bandmates and will be practicing at least for three solid days before embarking on tour. And if you check out the vocalist, inspired by the likes of grunge’s Layne Staley and country and pop musicians, as well, in a performance such as at 2019’s Resurrection Fest, you’ll see the band is solid.
“You just get more comfortable the longer you do it,” he explains, in a nonchalant voice. And if you watch him alongside acts like Municipal Waste and Power Trip, you’ll see he’s sincere: the band has got it together.
When asked about what other bands influence, Witt tells you he actually doesn’t even listen to much metal at all, and that the boy bands and grunge acts of his youth inspired him the most. “Say what you want about the dude, but Eddie Vedder’s voice is fucking insane. I still listen to a lot of the music I did when I was a kid from when I didn’t have much control over the radio. It stuck with me as an adult.”
Catch Elijah Witt with his band, CANE HILL, as well as Born Astray, Hour House, and Afterdusk, this Thursday April 20 at the House of Blues. Tickets are available starting at $20 and VIP packages are available starting at $60. For more information, visit here.
