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About Elu
Elu – Biography:
"the sensual nature of Humanity"
Intro:
Elu is a unique blend of New Age/Progressive Electronic, and Pop music created by the use of multi-tone samplers and live instruments. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Elu is the creation of Jeffrey Mettling, 12 time award winning recording artist with over 24 nominations for "best musical production" as recognized by the New Mexico Music Industry Association "NMMIA" and "Just Plain Folks" Music Awards, and Billboard Magazine. Jeff is the creative energy and driving force behind the music including writing, arrangements, performance and production. Jeff is a member of the Recording Academy as well as a member of BMI.
Accomplishments:
Eroica Records in CA has been representing Elu for the past 5 years. In 2007 Jeff has decided to remain independent and continues to make the top 20 New Age/Ambient/Electronic play lists and is being featured on radio programming worldwide. Elu's releases continue to reach the top 40 on the internet's top music download sites such as Audiostreet.net, MP3.com, Soundclick.com, Emusic.com, and has been in the top 20 for the past year as well as being a featured artist at CNET's Download.com. Elu's music is available through all major on-line music venders such as Borders, Barnes and Nobel and Yahoo and others throughout the world.
Musical reviews, write-ups and release listings:
"inimitable…adventurous" - New Classics UK:
"If you're ready to go into a state of meditative bliss, Elu can take you there. Quiet, nearly subliminal voices soothe your mind while layers of ambient synthesizer massage your senses" – Listen.com:
"Sinuous, sultry and seductive" - Visions Magazine:
"a not to be missed CD" - Kuelle Magazine:
"Fans of Enigma will get off on Elu. Love is their debut record and it's a rich tableau of symphonically inspired ambient grooves that's great for chilled out listening, massage and most importantly. . .love." – eMusic.com:
"Sensuality evokes comparisons to B-Tribe with the occasional house beat pumped into the mix to stir things up" – eMusic.com:
"Move over Manheim Steamroller! Elu takes holiday music to another level on December. Unlike most electronically interpreted versions of seasonal themes, Elu isn't afraid to thrown in a bit of the goth, to give the proceedings an occasionally solemnific feel." – eMusic.com:
"Elu (Jeff Mettling) blends new age, world music, and pop sensibilities into a synthesized world of creative expression. December is a challenging adventure, it is reminiscent of Mannheim Steamroller gone goth. The tones are dark--even the album cover is dark. The presentation is riveting, but you have to be open to a totally unique approach to traditional holiday favorites.
Eight of the 9 tracks are based on well-known traditional carols, but you have never heard them done like this. This is synthesized music, and a strong percussive heartbeat underlies each song. The tone is somber, but not depressing, this music has an underlying energy that is inescapable. Although some numbers have relatively straightforward vocals, the overall emphasis is clearly on the cutting-edge instrumentation, which employs multi-tone samplers and live instruments. In Mettling's capable hands, familiar numbers take on entirely different personas, and the results are impressive.
The opening is dramatic. The sounds of bells and eerie choral tones set the stage before Carol of the Bells explodes with melodic syncopation. I also like I Saw Three Ships, which features a cool bagpipes sentiment, and Mettling's vocals on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen lift the tune to a new level.
This is the sort of album that is playable all year long. Most cuts are at least three steps removed from traditional Christmas tunes, so it's possible to enjoy the moods created here in any season.
Sick of sugary sweet holiday tunes that sound like all the rest? December may provide you with just the escape you seek."
--Carol Swanson, Christmasreviews.com
"Tune in and drift through an enchanting and ethereal journey as Elu revitalizes your soul and uplifts your spirits. This atmospheric duo's emotionally charged female vocals give these songs their passion."
--Editor’s Choice – CNET download.com
Elu's releases are also listed in "Jazz ru" Russia; Atomic Pop, US, EnterTo Entertainment, San Francisco, Kweevak's Tracks
Awards and recognition:
Honorable Mention – 2007 Billboard Magazine world music competition. Top 500 Entries worldwide for the song "Lose Control" off of the Beautiful Things Album.
Featured artist – Mystic Soundscapes Radio - USA. – 2006
Featured artist – Mystic Soundscapes Radio – USA – 2007
Featured artist – Radio Gets Wild Radio – UK - 2007
Featured artist – Radio Gets Wild Top 20 Compilation CD – featuring "Walking Through Time" from the Beautiful Things album. 2007.
Featured artist – Quantum Disc Records/Promotions – Beautiful Things album. 2007
"Best Musical Production for 2006 by the NMMIA for a new song "In the Wake of Desire" from the Beautiful Things album 2007".
Elu's "Songs of Devotion" release was up for consideration in the 2007 Grammy's.
Regular Rotation – Blu 102, Santa Fe, NM.
Featured artist - November/December 2005 issue of Hyper Active Music Magazine.
Featured artist - September issue of GO Magazine. 2005.
Nominated for "Best Album of the Year 2004" for electronica by the Just Plain Folks Awards, sponsored by Virgin Records, TAXI and CD Baby. Elu took third place for their Sensuality 2002 release.
"Best Musical Production for 2004 by the NMMIA, New Mexico Music Industry Coalition for "Stay" from the "Songs of Devotion" release in 2005".
Featured Artist - Red Eye Express, radio program in Ft Lauderdale, FL. 2004.
Editor's Choice on CNET's Download.com 2005/2006
Top 20 artist, New Age Voice - "Dreams of a New Age" 88.1 FM, WMBR in Boston, MA - 2001
Top 20 artist – New Age Voice – Three months running - "Deep Space", Stargate radio program in Italy. – 2001
Featured Artist – Visions Magazine.
Featured Artist – Kuelle Magazine.
The "LOVE" release reached the top 40 on MP3.com and #1 on "IUMA". 2000.
Members Biography:
Jeffrey Mettling:
Elu's Jeff Mettling was born in Ada, Minnesota. He began with the Suzuki method for playing violin at the age of 8 and changed to guitar at the age of 10 and formed his first band at the age of 16. He has a passion for music that continues today. He studied music throughout his teenage years and received numerous awards for his musical abilities. He later studied keyboards, bass and drums and has become an accomplished, diverse musician. In 1994 he received his first local award for "Best Musical Production" as recognized by the New Mexico Music Industry Association, "NMMIA".
Kate Benton
Born in Canton Illinois, she has pursued a life in entertainment from an early age, beginning with children's theater at the age of five, and vocal training from age thirteen to the present.
She has spent time working on and featuring in several roles for comedic independent films, including writing and directing several dramatic works in Albuquerque, NM as well as backup performance with professional Las Vegas show companies. Kate's current focus lies in maintaining a constant creation of original lyrical pieces, poetry, melodies and vocals for Elu's musical partnership.
Rebecca Moore
Featured vocalist on the upcoming release. Her vocals can be heard on "Waiting for the Sun" and "In the Wake of Desire". Both songs will be available on a full length album later this year or early part of next. She is currently working with the University of New Mexico Chorus.
DeeAnn Gonzales
Featured vocalist on the upcoming release. Dee’s vocals can be heard on "Lose Control". She is an accomplished singer and is currently working on a new musical release. She is a long time veteran of rock and pop bands in New Mexico and Washington DC as well as being an actress and stage performer.
Rena Maestas
Featured vocalist on the upcoming release. Rena’s vocals can be heard on "Days of July". She is a well versed singer in RnB and rap.
Virginia Olivas
Featured vocalist on the Beautiful Things release. Virginia’s vocals can be heard on "Beautiful Things" and "Walking Through Time". She has worked with bands in LA, CA and NM.
Musical Releases:
"Love" – 1999
"Sensuality 2002" – 2002
"December" – 2003
"Songs of Devotion" – 2005
"Beautiful Things" - 2007
Similar Artists:
Elu's music has been compared to Enigma, Conjure One, Enya, Sting, B-Tribe, Deep Forest, and Delerium.
Contact:
e-mail address: jeff@elumusic.com, elu_1998@yahoo.com
web addresses: www.elumusic.com - the official web pages
New Music at www.myspace.com/elu
"the sensual nature of Humanity"
Intro:
Elu is a unique blend of New Age/Progressive Electronic, and Pop music created by the use of multi-tone samplers and live instruments. Based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Elu is the creation of Jeffrey Mettling, 12 time award winning recording artist with over 24 nominations for "best musical production" as recognized by the New Mexico Music Industry Association "NMMIA" and "Just Plain Folks" Music Awards, and Billboard Magazine. Jeff is the creative energy and driving force behind the music including writing, arrangements, performance and production. Jeff is a member of the Recording Academy as well as a member of BMI.
Accomplishments:
Eroica Records in CA has been representing Elu for the past 5 years. In 2007 Jeff has decided to remain independent and continues to make the top 20 New Age/Ambient/Electronic play lists and is being featured on radio programming worldwide. Elu's releases continue to reach the top 40 on the internet's top music download sites such as Audiostreet.net, MP3.com, Soundclick.com, Emusic.com, and has been in the top 20 for the past year as well as being a featured artist at CNET's Download.com. Elu's music is available through all major on-line music venders such as Borders, Barnes and Nobel and Yahoo and others throughout the world.
Musical reviews, write-ups and release listings:
"inimitable…adventurous" - New Classics UK:
"If you're ready to go into a state of meditative bliss, Elu can take you there. Quiet, nearly subliminal voices soothe your mind while layers of ambient synthesizer massage your senses" – Listen.com:
"Sinuous, sultry and seductive" - Visions Magazine:
"a not to be missed CD" - Kuelle Magazine:
"Fans of Enigma will get off on Elu. Love is their debut record and it's a rich tableau of symphonically inspired ambient grooves that's great for chilled out listening, massage and most importantly. . .love." – eMusic.com:
"Sensuality evokes comparisons to B-Tribe with the occasional house beat pumped into the mix to stir things up" – eMusic.com:
"Move over Manheim Steamroller! Elu takes holiday music to another level on December. Unlike most electronically interpreted versions of seasonal themes, Elu isn't afraid to thrown in a bit of the goth, to give the proceedings an occasionally solemnific feel." – eMusic.com:
"Elu (Jeff Mettling) blends new age, world music, and pop sensibilities into a synthesized world of creative expression. December is a challenging adventure, it is reminiscent of Mannheim Steamroller gone goth. The tones are dark--even the album cover is dark. The presentation is riveting, but you have to be open to a totally unique approach to traditional holiday favorites.
Eight of the 9 tracks are based on well-known traditional carols, but you have never heard them done like this. This is synthesized music, and a strong percussive heartbeat underlies each song. The tone is somber, but not depressing, this music has an underlying energy that is inescapable. Although some numbers have relatively straightforward vocals, the overall emphasis is clearly on the cutting-edge instrumentation, which employs multi-tone samplers and live instruments. In Mettling's capable hands, familiar numbers take on entirely different personas, and the results are impressive.
The opening is dramatic. The sounds of bells and eerie choral tones set the stage before Carol of the Bells explodes with melodic syncopation. I also like I Saw Three Ships, which features a cool bagpipes sentiment, and Mettling's vocals on God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen lift the tune to a new level.
This is the sort of album that is playable all year long. Most cuts are at least three steps removed from traditional Christmas tunes, so it's possible to enjoy the moods created here in any season.
Sick of sugary sweet holiday tunes that sound like all the rest? December may provide you with just the escape you seek."
--Carol Swanson, Christmasreviews.com
"Tune in and drift through an enchanting and ethereal journey as Elu revitalizes your soul and uplifts your spirits. This atmospheric duo's emotionally charged female vocals give these songs their passion."
--Editor’s Choice – CNET download.com
Elu's releases are also listed in "Jazz ru" Russia; Atomic Pop, US, EnterTo Entertainment, San Francisco, Kweevak's Tracks
Awards and recognition:
Honorable Mention – 2007 Billboard Magazine world music competition. Top 500 Entries worldwide for the song "Lose Control" off of the Beautiful Things Album.
Featured artist – Mystic Soundscapes Radio - USA. – 2006
Featured artist – Mystic Soundscapes Radio – USA – 2007
Featured artist – Radio Gets Wild Radio – UK - 2007
Featured artist – Radio Gets Wild Top 20 Compilation CD – featuring "Walking Through Time" from the Beautiful Things album. 2007.
Featured artist – Quantum Disc Records/Promotions – Beautiful Things album. 2007
"Best Musical Production for 2006 by the NMMIA for a new song "In the Wake of Desire" from the Beautiful Things album 2007".
Elu's "Songs of Devotion" release was up for consideration in the 2007 Grammy's.
Regular Rotation – Blu 102, Santa Fe, NM.
Featured artist - November/December 2005 issue of Hyper Active Music Magazine.
Featured artist - September issue of GO Magazine. 2005.
Nominated for "Best Album of the Year 2004" for electronica by the Just Plain Folks Awards, sponsored by Virgin Records, TAXI and CD Baby. Elu took third place for their Sensuality 2002 release.
"Best Musical Production for 2004 by the NMMIA, New Mexico Music Industry Coalition for "Stay" from the "Songs of Devotion" release in 2005".
Featured Artist - Red Eye Express, radio program in Ft Lauderdale, FL. 2004.
Editor's Choice on CNET's Download.com 2005/2006
Top 20 artist, New Age Voice - "Dreams of a New Age" 88.1 FM, WMBR in Boston, MA - 2001
Top 20 artist – New Age Voice – Three months running - "Deep Space", Stargate radio program in Italy. – 2001
Featured Artist – Visions Magazine.
Featured Artist – Kuelle Magazine.
The "LOVE" release reached the top 40 on MP3.com and #1 on "IUMA". 2000.
Members Biography:
Jeffrey Mettling:
Elu's Jeff Mettling was born in Ada, Minnesota. He began with the Suzuki method for playing violin at the age of 8 and changed to guitar at the age of 10 and formed his first band at the age of 16. He has a passion for music that continues today. He studied music throughout his teenage years and received numerous awards for his musical abilities. He later studied keyboards, bass and drums and has become an accomplished, diverse musician. In 1994 he received his first local award for "Best Musical Production" as recognized by the New Mexico Music Industry Association, "NMMIA".
Kate Benton
Born in Canton Illinois, she has pursued a life in entertainment from an early age, beginning with children's theater at the age of five, and vocal training from age thirteen to the present.
She has spent time working on and featuring in several roles for comedic independent films, including writing and directing several dramatic works in Albuquerque, NM as well as backup performance with professional Las Vegas show companies. Kate's current focus lies in maintaining a constant creation of original lyrical pieces, poetry, melodies and vocals for Elu's musical partnership.
Rebecca Moore
Featured vocalist on the upcoming release. Her vocals can be heard on "Waiting for the Sun" and "In the Wake of Desire". Both songs will be available on a full length album later this year or early part of next. She is currently working with the University of New Mexico Chorus.
DeeAnn Gonzales
Featured vocalist on the upcoming release. Dee’s vocals can be heard on "Lose Control". She is an accomplished singer and is currently working on a new musical release. She is a long time veteran of rock and pop bands in New Mexico and Washington DC as well as being an actress and stage performer.
Rena Maestas
Featured vocalist on the upcoming release. Rena’s vocals can be heard on "Days of July". She is a well versed singer in RnB and rap.
Virginia Olivas
Featured vocalist on the Beautiful Things release. Virginia’s vocals can be heard on "Beautiful Things" and "Walking Through Time". She has worked with bands in LA, CA and NM.
Musical Releases:
"Love" – 1999
"Sensuality 2002" – 2002
"December" – 2003
"Songs of Devotion" – 2005
"Beautiful Things" - 2007
Similar Artists:
Elu's music has been compared to Enigma, Conjure One, Enya, Sting, B-Tribe, Deep Forest, and Delerium.
Contact:
e-mail address: jeff@elumusic.com, elu_1998@yahoo.com
web addresses: www.elumusic.com - the official web pages
New Music at www.myspace.com/elu
