What Did You Do - The Elephant Trees
Photography by Dan Creffield
With banners raised and voices loud, Leeds’s finest aren’t about to let you forget the very real issue that is climate change, in their latest single that demands ‘What Did You Do’, challenging those among us who refuse to accept the harsh reality that we are facing. The Elephant Trees bless us with their third single of 2020; a soulful amalgamation of quality ambient home-production and blunt accusation.
Vocalist Martha Phillips warns that ‘this isn’t going to be fun’; not beating around the bush and getting straight to the matter in hand. The lyrics are very direct and straightforward, and it is easy to tell that this is an impatient, passion-fuelled plea. Previous single ‘Survival’ was broader in scope of style and political frustration, but What Did You Do is specific in both word and melody, and poses a hypothetical retrospective for what will be discussed after the natural world has been torn apart. The Elephant Trees have been open about their support for the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations and their involvement with it has been parallel to their own doings. A series of ‘Quaran-zines’ have found their way to The Elephant Trees’ online store; a guide to surviving the modern apocalypse with confidence and sass. In a past conversation with guitarist Sam he pondered the band’s political standing, telling me that they don’t publicly identify with any side, but that they aren’t afraid to fight for what is right. Climate change is not a political issue, however, so What Did You Do proves that all weapons are go.
On one of their Instagram stories the band stated that the track was recorded separate from each other, with each member writing and recording their own parts separately. The finished product really shows both The Elephant Trees’ production skills and the possibilities of creating high-quality music without spending a penny on studio time. The track features a sonic labyrinth of synth sounds, orchestral strings and harmonic vocal lines. While the guitar is understated and floaty, the rhythm section hits hard, creating a solid metaphor for the theme of the track. I find that songs are most successful in passing on a message when they are written to be appealing to the ear first, and controversial second. Although Phillips’ lyrics are strong, the song isn’t aggressive or hard, but it doesn’t take a deep-sea drill to dig into the anger and pain that the band feels towards the subject.
As far as Elephant Trees songs go, What Did You Do is unlike their groovier tracks. It is much more serious and, while the band aren’t strangers to the many difficult topics that plague our society, it deals unapologetic blows towards the irresponsible decision-makers and climate change deniers who are putting our lives at risk on a day to day basis. What Did You Do is available on all streaming platforms now, and it’s Sam’s birthday today so, if nothing else, go give the track a spin for that reason.
Photography by Dan Creffield