Music Q&A with The Coyote
Photo courtesy of The Coyote
Writer and composer, Elan Levy, better known as The Coyote, released a new EP last month titled Bad Killer! The Coyote is devoted to the creation of new worlds, through thrilling confrontations of the powerful forces of life. Those of love, courage, turmoil, fear, challenge, illusion, unity, doubt, necessity, and vigor. In this Q&A, Elan talked about the new EP, the best piece of advice a musician ever gave him, and more!
Congratulations on the release of Bad Killer! What does the EP mean to you?
Bad Killer is a ghost story — set on a haunted frontier, full of rumbling engines, spooked horses, and outlaws on the run. It is packed with twists and turns and charged with the threat of Bad Killer. To The Coyote, that means a mean, manipulating, and menacing force that is both opposing and part of him. We must all strive to find the balance between who we want to be and who we are terrified to be.
How did the pandemic affect the making and creative process of the EP, if it did at all?
The duration of the pandemic tied me to the Southwest corner of France, in a surf town called Biarritz. As charming as that sounds, what consumed me was a longing for another Southwest corner; that of the United States — specifically, my hometown of San Diego, California. I couldn’t help but convert those feelings into the Americana homage that became the Bad Killer EP. Like for so many others during the pandemic, my heartstrings twanged for home.
What is your favorite music video you did to promote the EP?
Stranger Danger: https://youtu.be/MlA2UM8o15E
What is your favorite album of all time?
Marty Robbins’ Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs: https://open.spotify.com/album/3kQpBS26lAj0A0VGl1snRl?si=FrnXy_EQT6W-3TDSbrMQaQ
What is your favorite thing about making music?
Enigma; the mystery of music’s ability to intoxicate and transport us to another time and place.
What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you?
Glen Hansard: “If it ain't worth carrying, f'ing shed it."
We all have our days where it may not be going as well as we’d like. People deal with their worst days in different ways. What helps you get through the bad days? How do you stay positive?
For one, writing — it is the engine of my vehicle. With its daily demand for maintenance and performance, it is a constant reminder of the importance of a steady mind and a healthy body. Secondly, my loved ones — without each one of them, I would be utterly lost.
Thank you for taking the time for this Q&A. Any last words or final message for the readers?
It’s only a matter of time before each person meets their ghost but, sure as hell, everyone has one. And for those taking an active role in extracting the most out of life, hungry for the discovery of that precious element, encountering the ghost is an absolute necessity, terrifying as it is. Find it and invite it to the table for a cup of coffee.
The Coyote on social media and digital streaming platforms:
Twitter | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Apple Music