Elephante live at 2007 Desert Rocks
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ELEPHANTE is Matt Smit, Josh Thomas, & Ryan McEuen. Our sound could be described as Blues based Jam band but also includes elements of Latin Rock, Funk, Jazz, Bluegrass, and Reggae. Mathew Smit (Guitar, Vocals) fifteen years ago traded a skateboard for a guitar and never looked back. Starting out playing in a punk rock band exposed matt to what it was like playing in a real band. One day one of matt’s good friends Daniel B.B. gave him what would become one of his favorite albums of all time, The Jimi Hendrix Experience, and from that day on matt’s musical approach was forever changed. Matt then joined the Ringling Brothers Circus traveling and playing his guitar across the country. Living on a train for two years with the circus he fell in love with and gained a new respect for elephants, and named our band Elephante in their essence. After the circus matt decided to go to college at Dixie in Saint George for music. This is where he met Josh Thomas who happened to play bass and has been my bass player ever since Joshua Thomas (Bass, Vocals) was raised in a diverse musical family with family members whose instruments range from drummers to, sax, trumpet, trombone, and piano players. Although raised in a very musical family josh didn't pick up a bass until he was 17. Starting in a punk rock band, and over time evolving into a more versatile player, he began incorporating Blues, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, and Latin Rock into his styles. Josh would attribute a great deal of his inspiration from all other bass players, but mainly Jaco Pastorious and Victor Wooten. Josh has been playing with Matthew and Elephante since 1999. A little over two years ago after struggling to find a drummer that was adequate for Elephantes needs, we met Ryan McEuen, who has been holding it down ever since. Teaming up with Matt and Josh, (Ryan McEuen, Drums, Vocals) was able to find the space in a band to chase after his influences. Ranging from the traditional Levon Helm approach, to hanging out in the Latin influences of El Negro… The musical background he comes from has brought him to incorporate traditional Americana feel to his playing as well. After being raised in a musical family Ryan also got to apply the music created by his siblings. Jonathan McEuen, a Nashville recording artists and independent musician has made a huge impact on his music, as well as his brother Nathan McEuen. Elephante brings an enthusiastic, expressive, and interactive presence with our performance that is what has attracted me to playing in this group today, and is what attracts the diverse amount of people to our shows.
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