Reflections on our latest episode of Don't Bother Wearing Seatbelts
There are some musicians whose influence runs deeper than a favorite song or a beloved record. For me, Andrew Rieger of Elf Power is one of those people. I was so stoked to talk to him along with Rudy Fischmann and Mathew Bell on the latest episode of the Discograffiti podcast Don't Bother Wearing Seatbelts.
Andrew is one of the most sincere, humble, creative, and consistently inspiring musicians I’ve ever met. His work with Elf Power is one of those bands that is so important to me, and 90% of every mix cd I have ever made had an Elf Power song on it, and they gave me a literal blueprint for how to be in an indie rock band. Indie Rock is an eb and flow type of business.. And he’s proof that longevity doesn’t require compromise; it just takes passion, dedication, and a deep love for what you do.
Elf Power has been releasing great music for over 25 years, and no matter which configuration of the band is playing, the songs always are what keeps me coming back. That kind of consistency and heart doesn’t come around often. I used to drive to Minneapolis just to see them live. Eventually I figured out the DIY trick: if you can’t always go to your favorite band, bring them to you. Also maybe your favorite band is only making 300 bucks a night! I invited Elf Power to play in Des Moines and naturally I had my band open for them, like one might do. We hosted them, hung out, and I got to share their magic with my friends. Those nights shaped me and our band The Poison Control Center.
I still laugh thinking about one of those shows at the Des Moines Botanical Center, back when we hosted concerts in the classrooms. Elf Power had a $300 guarantee, which seemed like a cruel amount of money for how great they were. I was just a 22-year-old kid doing my best to honor the band’s tour rider. So I showed up with a case of beer, hummus, chips, salsa—and even brand-new hand towels from JCPenney (tags still on). The Tour Rider said to provide towels. Andrew looked at me, bemused, and said, “You didn’t need to get all this, what are these towels for?.” And I was like I wanted to get everything on the Rider and he said, “We never get everything on the rider.” and just smiles. But he was so grateful and thanked me. During the set that night just to be sweet, between songs he patted his face with one of those JCPenney towels.. Just for me or at least that’s how it felt.. It was such a small moment, but it meant the world to me. He didn’t need to do that—but he did. That’s just the kind of thoughtful person he is.
There’s a kind of touring wisdom I picked up just from watching them. Like the time Laura Carter bought two dozen eggs at Hy-Vee after a show. Eggs were not expensive then—three bucks for a couple dozen—but she looked at me and said, “You can feed an army with eggs.” That’s road life logic right there. And I wasn’t even vegan yet so I could use it!
Beyond all the shows and records, Elf Power always treated us—The Poison Control Center—like peers. That meant more than I can say. When we were featured on NPR’s Todd Munch Show early in our career, I got an email from The Late B.P. Helium saying how cool it was to hear us on there—how he’d always wanted to be on that show. That kind of kindness, that sense of community, has stayed with me all these years.
Getting to talk with Andrew about the first Elf Power album and the band’s history was so fun and so heart warming to me.. He helped shape who I am as a musician, and as a person.
I hope I’ve carried even a fraction of that same generosity and spirit to younger bands over the years. Thank you, Andrew Rieger. And thank you, Elf Power.
Big thanks to Dave Gebroe for making Discograffiti join the patreon folks