Curtis Paul Eller (born 1970,

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and rock & roll singer based in Durham, NC. Eller's work draws on an abundance of direct or indirect influences from the first half of the 20th century, combined with a modern perspective and a healthy dose of rock & roll energy. Many of the lyrics deal with American politics both historical and contemporary. He got an early introduction to show business when his father ran the Hiller Old Tyme Circus in

. The songwriting draws on many historical people and events but addresses contemporary American culture. Lyrical subjects have ranged from pigeon racing and performing elephants to sweatshop fires and presidential assassinations and the Hartford circus fire of 1944. Historical figures as diverse as

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appear in the lyrical content.

An excellent and highly intriguing singer/songwriter who is based in New York City, Curtis Eller has successfully brought a variety of influences to his unorthodox folk-rock vision. The banjo-playing Eller's work has an old-time feel, drawing on an abundance of direct or indirect influences from the '20s, '30s, and '40s (including country singer Jimmie Rodgers, cowboy icon Gene Autry, and Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson). But Eller's material is far from a carbon copy of music from that era -- there is plenty of rock bite and attitude in his rootsy work, which also contains elements of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and the ballsy outlaw country of Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Eller, consciously or unconsciously, reminds listeners what Dylan, Cash, Son House, Pete Seeger, and Haggard have in common -- they are all known for being effective storytellers, and storytelling is where Eller himself shines. --Alex Hederson (Allmusic)

Eller has released seven full-length CDs and a two EPs with his ban
Curtis Eller's American Circus

1890 Events January–March * January 1 ** The Kingdom of Italy establishes Eritrea as its colony, in the Horn of Africa. ** In Michigan, the wooden steamer ''Mackinaw'' burns in a fire on the Black River. * January 2 ** The steamship ...

(2000)
Banjo Music For Funerals
(2002), Taking Up Serpents Again(2004), Wirewalkers & Assassins(2008)
Saving my Heart for the Butcherman
(2012)

(2014), A Poison Melody (2019), Fusebox Pennies: Collected Singles (2022). The recordings feature Eller on banjo and lead vocals and a backing band that consists of electric and upright bass, drums, accordion, pedal steel, tuba, violin, a horn section, and much three-part harmony. Eller frequently tours the US, UK, Europe and Canada, both as a solo act and as the leader of his band The American Circus. In addition to the usual folk, punk and indie-rock clubs, he has appeared in numerous unusual venues, including funerals, horse races, vaudeville/burlesque revues. He has shared the stage with contortionists, strippers, glass-eaters and folksingers. The live performances are high energy, intensively physical events. In 2010, Eller relocated to Durham, NC where he continues to record and perform regularly. In 2015 Eller started working with dancer/choreographer Stacy Wolfson to form The Bipeds. Wolfson and Eller have devised a unique compositional approach that seamlessly combines movement, music and lyrics to create a peculiar and compelling hybrid of dance and song.

References

Discography

With The American Circus
Full Length Albums:
1890 (2000)
Taking Up Serpents Again (2004)
Wirewalkers & Assassins (2008)
1890 (2011 Remix)
How to Make It in Hollywood (2014)
A Poison Melody(2019)
Fusebox Pennies: Collected Singles (2022)
EP/Singles:
Banjo Music For Funerals (2002)
Saving My Heart for the Butcherman (2012)
Baudelaire in a Box: Songs of Anguish (2015)
Henry Kissinger's Dance Party (2016)
This is Christmas Time (2020)
Here Comes New Year's Day (2021)
With The Bipeds
54 Strange Words (2018)
Bury the Light (2020)

External links

Curtis Eller's Official Website
www.curtiseller.com
Curtis Eller on Bandcamp
curtiseller.bandcamp.com
The Bipeds's Official Website
www.thebipedsdance.com *

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

a biographical overview and discography
American Songwriter Interview
An interview with Curtis Eller for American Songwriter Magazine
Whisperin' & Hollerin'
A British review of "Wirewalkers & Assassins"

An American review of "Wirewalkers & Assassins"
Roots & Resonance Interview
An interview with Curtis Eller
Delusions Of Adequacy
A review of "Taking Up Serpents Again"

A Spanish review of "Taking Up Serpents Again" {{DEFAULTSORT:Eller, Curtis 1970 births Living people American banjoists Musicians from New York City