Bass player Rishi Dhir listened to The Who a lot as a kid. Rishi Dhir listened to pre- Quadrophenia a lot as a kid – to be exact. This fact shines like a light bulb through a canvas tent in the wilderness of music.

“The Who are respected in many ways and at the same time – not respected enough.” Says Dhir – a married Father of two young children. ” They rank up there with the greats such as The Stones and The Beatles as far as all time bands go yet when their creative genius is discussed, it falls far below the other bands. I think it is because of the smashing guitars and the stigma attached to having a ‘crazy’ drummer …! Who’s Next is one of the best albums ever made …”

Dhir – a Montrealer,  is  quick to point out the most underrated band of all time ( in his view).

“No doubt about it!” States Rishi. “The Kinks seldom get their due! I would rank all their stuff in the early years in the top five for sure …”

The sounds from the above mentioned ‘Super-groups’ are easy to detect in Dhir’s songwriting. After a few minutes of listening to songs from the self -titled sophomore album from Elephant Stone,  early Ray Davies and Pete Townsend’s styles are thrust into a listener ears like a terrified mouse scurrying back to a hole in the ground.  The drumbeats, the phased guitar riffs and the genuine ‘raw’ feel of a garage band smash home Rishi’s lyrics into a ‘definite maybe’.

Dhir composes all the songs in his head and records them into his Iphone or computer. He then introduces the ideas to drummer Miles Dupree, Gabriel Lambert (guitar) and Stephen “The Venk” Venkatarangam on keyboards, bass and sitar. For those keeping track at home – that’s two band members of Elephant Stone who  play the sitar. Aside from George Harrison ( Beatles) and Brian Jones ( The Rolling Stones), how many people come to mind in popular North American music that play such an exotic instrument …?

Exactly!

” I was taught by a German guy.” Laughs Dhir. ” Not the most exciting anecdote but an anecdote nonetheless.”

Dhir, just four short months ago, convinced the singer Beck  to allow Rishi to join the composer of ‘Loser’ on stage to play the sitar during the singer’s rendition of the hit song. Join he did! Beck  was so impressed he asked Dhir to play a few more songs with him at various shows. An example of Dhir’s fortitude. An example of a man who has not rested very much in the past couple of years.

” I am in two bands – really.” Admits the world traveler. ” I play bass with The Black Angels and we are going on tour in March as their supporting act. I ( as far as I know) will be pulling double duty as we play through Europe. They are one of the top Psychedelic bands out there and it is a great opportunity for Elephant Stone to gain notoriety.

The High Dials, a Montreal band  – were Dhir’s first band in which he was able to parlay his skills into. With Elephant Stone, the guitarist / songwriter / singer / sitar player and bassist  is able to utilize his brilliance on a different level. Alloting the sitar to become as much part of the songs as the lyrics themselves. Dhir sometimes opens a song with a sitar solo at a show and closes the tune the same way. Like a writer coming full circle in an attempt to make a reader feel safe. A comfortable zone which has a beginning and an end. A story through music …

Elephant Stone is the band’s second album following a five song EP released in 2010  tilted Glass Box Ep and 2009’s inaugural disc – The Seven Seas. Recordings  which are astounding given their novice nature.

Elephant Stone plays in their Hometown of Montreal,Qc on February 15th at Le Divan Orange with  First You Get the Sugar  and The Backhomes

Tickets are a bargain at $10.00. A gift for anyone asking Dhir …

“Who the F*ck Are You …?”