Carrie Elkin gives C&I an exclusive first look at her new music video for “New Mexico,” from her new album The Penny Collector.
Carrie Elkin’s anticipated sixth solo studio album The Penny Collector will be released on March 10. The album’s blend of indie-rock and folk combined with Elkin’s songwriting creates a whimsical masterpiece worth every penny. We recently talked with Elkin about her new album and the new music video for her single “New Mexico” — premiered exclusively with C&I. Check out our interview with Elkin below along with her “New Mexico” music video premiere.
Cowboys & Indians: What are you most excited about in regards to the release of your new music video for “New Mexico”?
Carrie Elkin: I’m thrilled that folks get to take in the imagery of New Mexico ... the canyon in Taos, the starkness ... it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth.
C&I: Where did you come up with the idea for the video?
Carrie: The song itself is full of imagery, so it seemed like the best way to go about things was to head back to New Mexico and capture all the images from the source. It’s simple and beautiful.
C&I: Your new album The Penny Collector is being released on March 10. What can we expect from it in terms of genre and songwriting?
Carrie: Genre is always a difficult one for me. It’s an amalgamation of so many different styles. It has folky elements, but it’s more vibey than straightforward folk. It has a country vibe at some points, but doesn’t have the twang of country, really. And it has a gospel-type feeling at times, too. So maybe vibey folk, twang-free country gospel-ish? In regards to the songwriting, it’s a special one to me. These are certainly the most personal and raw songs I’ve ever written. I keep joking that the songs wrote me more than me writing the songs. People are relating to the music, though, on a deep level, which makes me realize the songs are universal, really. They’re about life and the human condition.
C&I: Do you have a song that you are most proud of on your upcoming album?
Carrie: The song “Crying Out” is probably my favorite. I think writers often like the songs that might go unnoticed by a lot of listeners. “Crying Out” is incredibly subtle and nuanced. And it was the first song I recorded for this project. We kept the first take and never touched it again.
C&I: Are there tracks that didn’t make the cut? If so, can we expect them to be released in some form down the line?
Carrie: There’s one track that was part of the demos that we didn’t use. My dad used to walk around the house singing Beach Boys songs in an operatic voice, and that’s what the song is about. It didn’t quite fit with the vibe of the album. It’s actually going to be available as part of the acoustic demos for one of the rewards for my Kickstarter Campaign.
Find out more about Elkin and her upcoming tour dates here.
