Illiterate Light

Illiterate Light is an American alternative rock duo that formed in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 2015. The band consists of Jeff Gorman (vocals, guitar, synth bass) and Jake Cochran (drums, vocals). They are well known for their high-energy performances and have gained a small but die-hard following due to their intense touring and dynamic live show. They have an unconventional live performance style, with the Washington Post calling their sound "Massive." Cochran plays a standing drum kit and is one of the few drummers to crowd surf, and Gorman plays a Moog Synthesizer with his feet while singing, playing guitar, and headbanging. The band notably does not perform to backing tracks.

The band's sound is rooted in rock and Americana, although they also incorporate folk and psychedelic elements into their songwriting. Their debut album ''Illiterate Light'' was released in October 2019 on Atlantic Records. After the Covid-19 pandemic ended, their sophomore album ''Sunburned'' was released in January 2023 by Thirty Tigers. Sunburned was considered "one of the best albums of 2023" by SPIN magazine. Several press outlets have considered them one of the best modern live duos, with the Nashville Scene writing "No other band currently touring, let alone any duo, brings to the stage the same amount of passion and energy as this group, and no other band in recent memory can create such an enormous and incredibly engrossing sound with only two instruments."

History

Illiterate Light was formed in 2015 by Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran. Gorman’s first instrument is the drum kit, following in the footsteps of his uncle Steve Gorman of The Black Crowes. In an interview with Premier Guitar Gorman noted, "The first song that I taught myself was ''Down by the River'' by Neil Young." Gorman and Cochran met in 2010 while attending James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. They formed their first band ''Money Cannot Be Eaten'' in 2011 and disbanded in 2013 after another band member quit. It was during this time that the two managed an organic farm together in Singers Glen, VA.
They also spent each summer touring by bicycle with a group of other local artists and activists. Bicycles have remained an important part of their career as they now run a bicycle powered stage at Newport Folk Festival each summer. Their common love of sustainability and music brought them together.

They spent 2015-2018 touring heavily and ultimately signed a major record deal with Atlantic Records in 2019 and performed at such festivals as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees, Newport Folk Festival, and more. Additionally they toured with acts such as Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Rayland Baxter, Shakey Graves, Mt. Joy, and The Head and the Heart.

Their debut album was recorded in Richmond, VA at Montrose Recording and Nashville, TN at Sputnik Sound with producer Vance Powell. It was mixed by Vance Powell and released on October 11, 2019 to positive reviews, with their single ''Better Than I Used To'' remaining on the AAA radio charts for several months. NPR sited Illiterate Light as one of the 2020 Artists To Watch Out For, and additionally called ''Better Than I Used To'' one of the best songs of 2019. The Covid-19 Pandemic cut all touring and marketing efforts short at which point Illiterate Light left Atlantic Records to pursue an independent path.

Their second LP ''Sunburned'' was recorded again at Montrose Recording in Richmond, VA with co-producer Adrian Olsen and engineer Danny Gibney. Sunburned marked a maturation in their songwriting towards a heavier and darker introspection, with fuzzed out guitars and copious reverb. ''Sunburned'' has received notable press and fan support, with SPIN Magazine citing it as "one of the best albums of 2023." ''Sunburned'' was released on Illiterate Light's own record label ''Red Book Records'' with marketing and distribution by Thirty Tigers. They followed the release of ''Sunburned'' with a 4-song EP titled ''Aloe'', containing several songs that were written during the ''Sunburned'' sessions. Notably ''Always, Always'' features Cochran on lead vocals.

Gorman sited Neil Young as one of his primary influences on ''Sunburned''. Illiterate Light was recently considered among the top rock bands to come out of the South by Garden and Gun Magazine.

They have publicly stated that they are self-producing much of their third album at Gorman's personal studio in Virginia with engineer Danny Gibney. Additionally they are working with producer Joe Chiccarelli at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, CA.

Gorman is endorsed by Seymour Duncan and Ernie Ball and Cochran is endorsed by Paiste and Vic Firth.

Discography

Studio Albums

* Illiterate Light (2019)
* Sunburned (2023)

Extended Plays

* Langue (2015)
* Earthworm (2016)
* Ego Flora (2017)
* Sweet Beast (2018)
* Aloe (2023)
* Slow Down Time (2024)https://www.npr.org/2024/03/22/1197959355/new-music-friday-march-22-2024

References

{{Reflist

Atlantic Records artists
Musical groups from Virginia