HENRY DEREK ELIS

Order "All The Pretty Little Horses" on CD

Tragic themes and a folk-tinged Southern Gothic Americana sound form the basis of “The Devil Is My Friend” the haunting full-length solo debut by Henry Derek Elis. Featuring contributions from Aubrey Richmond & John Schreffler Jr. (Shooter Jennings), Jarboe (Swans), Tara Vanflower (Lycia) Sera Timms (Black Mare) and more. In a marked stylistic departure from his persona as frontman for heavier rock acts, Henry has crafted a poetic and deeply personal solo debut, steeped in memories of his childhood in Milledgeville, GA, the same place Blind Willie McTell and Flannery O'Connor made their death beds; "the kind of small town with a haunted past that can swallow you up whole if you let it," says Henry. Dynamic rock arrangements reflect Henry's encyclopedic knowledge of dark folk, classic country, traditional blues and classical music, resulting in an atmospheric, apocalyptic landscape, where lonely sonic highways are littered with the detritus of misfortune and the soft glimmering of something that might be hope. - Caroline Ryder (Los Angeles)

about

Henry Derek Elis' origins are about as strange as his career in the music business. Raised by his grandmother, Henry grew up next to Central State Hospital, once known as the largest psychiatric facility in the world. Throughout his childhood, Henry observed the ravages of illness, addiction and suicide first hand.

Henry came to prominence upon moving to Atlanta, playing in mostly rock and metal bands before joining The Sweet Meat Love & Holy Cult, a folk collective with legendary artist Jarboe (formerly of the influential band Swans) This inspired him to create acoustic-based folk music under the moniker: To The Boy Elis, a reference from the work of Austrian born poet, Georg Trakl.

He eventually moved to Los Angeles and recorded demos with various bands, including members of Gorgoroth, Type O Negative and Anthrax. In 2013 he joined the band Scar The Martyr with drummer Joey Jordison of Slipknot fame. After releasing one album on Roadrunner Records, Henry went on to help form the thrash metal band Act Of Defiance, featuring former members of Megadeth and Shadows Fall.

Shows

Coming Soon

Updates

January 23, 2021

“All The Pretty Little Horses” in now available on cassette! Signed and hand-numbered by Henry. Limited Edition of 25 copies. Professionally manufactured with on shell printing. Released by Trepanation Recordings in the UK. Also, Cvlt Nation premiered the music video which you can check out HERE.

June 12, 2020

I’m pleased to announce that my newest release, “All The Pretty Little Horses” will be available on July 3rd. The title track & debut single will be released on June 19th via Bandcamp to aid their planned donation towards the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Tracklisting:
1. “All The Pretty Little Horses” (Traditional)
2. “Dancing With Myself” (Billy Idol cover)
3. “Heart Of The Devil” (Danzig cover)
4. “Alabama Highway” (Steve Young cover)

Guest musicians include: Christopher Edward Brown, Pauline Andres, John Schreffler Jr, Raymond Anthony Sanchez & Steve White. Pre-Orders are available on CD in the SHOP now and/or digitally via Apple Music

March 18, 2019

We have an excellent bill for next week’s show with an array of incredible artists. Please join us at Resident DTLA on Thursday, March 28th. I will be joining Sophia Knapp, Black Mare & Northern Lights. $10 // Doors at 9:00 // Please RSVP & show your support. Hope to see you there!

February 26, 2019

I’ll be playing a special show in Nashville, TN at The Springwater w/ the incredibly talented Pauline Andres. She just so happens to sing on my upcoming single. Not gonna let the cat out of the bag just yet, but it’s a cover! Stay tuned for more details.

January 28, 2019

This year is off to a great start w/ some exciting shows to be announced very soon. Also, recording a few tunes for a release in the Spring! In the meantime, I will be playing at Ham & Eggs Tavern in Downtown Los Angeles with Lasers Lasers Birmingham. That’s February 1st: Doors at 8:00pm

January 1, 2019

Happy New Year! Many thanks to Myke C-Town for including “The Devil Is My Friend” on his “Top 25 Albums Of 2018” list. You can check out the video HERE. Also, be sure to subscribe to his Youtube channel for more excellent content.

December 21, 2018

Thanks to The MetalSucks Podcast for giving my solo album “The Devil Is My Friend” the Number 9 slot on their “Best Albums Of 2018” list! It was cool to chat w/ them as well. Check out the interview HERE!

November 7, 2018

Henry will be playing a free show at Harvard & Stone for his Album Release Show / Black Christmas Party on Thursday, December 13th with special guests, The Great Sadness & Lasers Lasers Birmingham. “The Devil Is My Friend” is out now, available on CD & Vinyl LP.

October 24, 2018

Before the release on Friday, I’ve decided to do a full album stream! Check out an insightful article where I talk about influences and some of the guest musicians involved. You can preview the new album, now streaming on BrooklynVegan.com

October 11, 2018

The new video for “Sing For The Dead Man” is up, thanks to Cvlt Nation! Check it out HERE. Also, Vinyl Pre-Order is now available & new Merch items have been added to the web store.

September 17, 2018

Henry Derek Elis will release his new album, The Devil Is My Friend, on October 26th. Check out the Official Album Trailer HERE and pre-order the album here.

September 9, 2018

As promised, I’m dropping a 6 song EP a month before the release of my full length album! “Don’t Look” features the soul-power of Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakam) the wonderfully talented Aubrey Richmond & the honky-tonk stylings of Mr. John Shreffler Jr.(Shooter Jennings) Many thanks for the help. Official Release Date: Sep. 20th or head on over to www.henryderekelis.bandcamp.com to buy your digital copy now!

August 24, 2018

I have an exciting announcement regarding the solo album! I’ve decided to release an EP leading up to the release of the Full Length. The 6 songs from this EP will be available for streaming & purchase within the next few weeks. More details to come soon.

June 22, 2018

The debut album is finished and is currently being mastered by James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Testament) at Safehouse Studios. Guests Include: Sera Timms (Black Mare, Ides Of Gemini) Aubrey Richmond & John Schreffler Jr. (Shooter Jennings) Jarboe (Swans) Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakam) Neal Tiemann (DevilDriver) Tara Vanflower (Lycia) and many more. Produced By: Steve White & HDE. Cover Art & Layout by: Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Anathema) More news to come soon.

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Blog

Music

by Henry Derek Elis

Henry started creating acoustic based folk music under the moniker : To The Boy Elis, a reference from the Austrian born poet Georg Trakl. His love for roots & folk music eventually inspired him to take on a more sophisticated approach to the craft. “What’s Left Of Us” features the wonderfully talented Aubrey Richmond & John Schreffler, Jr. (Shooter Jennings) Handpicked by Rolling Stone magazine as “One of the best Americana songs of the week”. Recorded in Los Angeles. Produced by: Steve White & HDE at Red Light Studios. Mastered by: James Murphy at Safehouse Studios. From the album, “The Devil Is My Friend”. Available Now!