Mountain Men Take Boston

The Dead Elect Are Killing Pop Punk | The Buzz

By Erin Schroeter

Published on 10–28–2015

Photo courtesy of Dead Elect’s Facebook Page

From Portland attics to Boston basements, The Dead Elect are more alive than ever. The musical family of mountain men has traveled from the back woods of Maine to the streets and basements of Boston, not only to foster their innate musical talents, but also to grow as people and as friends.

“There weren’t any real opportunities for us in Maine. It just got kind of old. We’ve been playing shows there our whole lives,” said Bobby Cresta, rhythm guitarist.

With Brett Folger on vocals, bass and keyboard, KC Goodwin on lap steel, tin whistle and guitar, Cresta on the rhythm guitar and Alex Rucansky on drums, the guys contrive the uniquely raw, psychedelic/indie rock sound of their project The Dead Elect.

“The best thing we thought we could do was to be around people with more possible acceptance of what we’re playing, or those who just want to listen to good music, which is what we found in Boston,” Folger said.

What started out as fooling around on instruments in KC’s attic has turned into a full band that now has polished tracks, which have turned into their first real EP, I’m Dead. This collaboration of greatness was released in the beginning of August, and features all original tunes with a variety of melodies.

“We pretty much just jam and see where it takes us. Someone has an idea, brings it to the table and everyone expands on it — it transforms and evolves into something more. Sometimes it doesn’t though, and that’s the creative journey we go on,” Rucansky said. “I’ve learned that the strings can’t just get together and write themselves, we all have to be together. In that way, we all contribute to writing the songs.”

The unparalleled instrumental cohesion is apparent within every track the Dead Elect produces. I’m Dead is filled with seamless melodic dexterities, and listeners will inevitably feel the raw, earthy energy that’s entwined within the EP.

Jam tracks like “Smoking” take listeners on a hypnotizing journey. Paradoxical feelings of moving backward with the sonic reverbing guitar and distant lap steel, paired with the beat of Rucansky’s drums moving the track forward, the Dead Elect tell a story without saying a word.

Other syncopated melodies with relatable, eloquent lyrics like those in “Burning” inevitably reel listeners in with the unanticipated resolution in the riff of Goodwin’s guitar, the beat of Rucansky’s drums and the lull of Folger’s voice that’s filled with emotion.

When Dead Elect isn’t jamming in basements, their bachelor pad or in the Sound Museum in Allston, they can be found in other spots around Boston.

“We often play at O’Brien’s Bar & Grill in Cambridge,” Cresta said, “or the art gallery Out of the Blue Too, also in Cambridge.”

The Dead Elect sound reflects the culmination of their special energies. They have always come back to each other, and they have always come back to their craft.

Folger articulated the band’s mission perfectly when he said, “All I want to do is be a vessel of honest expression, rather than try to get to a destination. I don’t see the destination. I’m just being in it. Being true to my art. Art is immortal you know? That’s the only way.”

If music loving Bostonians weren’t lucky enough to see Dead Elect play at “What the Fluff” Festival on Sept. 26 in Union Square, Somerville, fear not — the Dead Elect will be having a Halloween basement session. Those interested may inquire on the Dead Elect Facebook page for more details.