John Elliott

press release: The Hereafter is the American music project of John Elliott. John is a writer, performer, singer, player, producer, recorder, historian, camper, traveller, pilot, and cyclist. He lives in San Francisco right now, but grew up in suburban Minnesota. He has called many places home, including but not limited to: Brooklyn, Austin, suburban Chicago, several Los Angeles locations (Los Feliz, Studio City, Venice, Echo Park), and the great old American road for two years in a Honda Civic. John believes in the American Dream that never has been and never will be, and communicating with our so-called enemies.

John Elliott writes gripping stream-of-consciousness songs that often take unexpected turns en route to delivering a powerful message. Chuck Schiele of The San Diego Troubadour wrote about Elliott's lyrics: "They get in, make their statement, kick you in the teeth, and get out before they start talking too much...And this lends to the urge of rolling any track to its beginning for another spin." 

Elliott began playing at various Hollywood venues in 2001, had expanded throughout southern California by 2003, and later became an internationally touring artist. He has performed in several countries and every state except Hawaii. His music has been featured on hit TV shows including Grey's Anatomy and Californication, as well as in PASTE Magazine, on NPR and Neil Young's "Living With War" website. Also various other places in reality and on the internet, including iTunes, campfires, cars, and vasectomy surgeon offices during operations. 

John has played on the Mainstage of the Fayetteville Roots Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival, Subdued Stringboard Jamboree, Storyhill Fest, and others lesser known. He also performed the role of Hades in Anais Mitchell’s California tour of her folk opera Hadestown (alongside Thao Nygeun & Sean Hayes).

In the last decade, he has released eight genre-less studio albums on his own record label (Garland Lane) to an ever-expanding audience. All can be streamed at his website (www.thehereafterishere.com/recordings) and countless other streaming stations. The newest releases are an unedited live performance (“Live in Austin”) and a compilation (“The Greatest Recordings According to Me: 2003-2013”). Both are available for purchase at shows on USB drives. John is trying to ever-so-gently do his part to end the compact disc. Cassettes are also for sale. 

John produces an almost monthly podcast of sorts called “Audiodes.” Audiodes defy explanation and must be heard to be understood (seven are included on the USB compilation). They include interviews, meditations, sound collages, alternative versions of already released songs, covers, and more. Audiode Six is a stripped down, acoustic rendering of his “Good Goodbyes” album; Audiode Fourteen is a new concept album about technology called “21st Century Bicycle.” For more about Audiodes, please visit: www.thehereafterishere.com/audiodes.