FOX ELIPSUS...: BOOKINGS/REVIEWS...

Fox's music fits in perfectly with the bookstore, coffee shop, or college environment. Fans of all ages love to come to the cafes of major bookstores and enjoy Fox's performances. The patrons of these stores are always drawn in, and even on weeknights and at lunch times, the places are usually packed. Contact elipsus@gmail.com to bring Fox to your store.

 

GIG:

FOX ELIPSUS AT THE CRUMBLIN' COOKIE

27 October 2011

This gig was a few weeks back now, but it took me this long to work out what to say about this man. Fox Elipsus may be the first truly original artist I have seen in the last decade. 

It took me close to an hour to get Fox and understand what he was doing. It was when he performed his song Father, prefixed by a ten-minute monologue, which the audience hung on every word of that it suddenly clicked in my head.

I shall explain, Fox is an anarchist in the true sense of the world; his songs focus unapologetically on social, political and environmental themes. 

However spliced into his set are entertainingly ridiculous covers, impressions and rap songs about his pets as well as charming and very funny rapport with his audience. It was this juxtaposition that originally confused me, The solution to the riddle that is Fox Elipsus is simple, due to the harsh nature of his straight songs, it is difficult for him to not sound preachy and distance his audience, to counteract this problem Fox throws in comedy aspects to stop his fans from feeling like they are being judged and scolded, a problem that many political artists are yet to find a resolution for.

Speaking to Fox afterwards he let me into another reason, many of his gigs are in the States, where the Oxford born musician has lived for many years. In order to bring political messages to American audiences, according to Fox, you have to slip them past by distracting them with cat noises and Michael Jackson impressions. Essentially Fox Elipsus has mastered live subliminal messaging.

Fox is an incredibly hard working man, touring the world playing around 300 gigs a year he does not charge entry for his gigs, he makes his money through donations and CD sales. All of this while living out of a hired car.

It is not just his work ethic that makes Fox so inspiring; it is also his lyrical content and his infectious charm and humility.

From a personal perspective, Fox and I discovered that we had both at one time been described as ‘looking like we smell like Johnny Depp looks like he smells.’ – The only comparison to Johnny Depp that is more insult than compliment, having spent years thinking I was the only one, Fox Elipsus will always have a place in my heart.

Keep you eyes out, if you get a chance to see Fox perform, do not hesitate to take it, it will be like the most unique evening of your life.

 

Listen Up: Fox Elipsus

By Jessica De Vault
Staff writer

Fox Elipsus is living the life of a musical nomad, traveling from city to city to perform and living out of his car.

At each of his shows, he takes his cues from the likes of John Lennon, by singing about politics, peace, love and positive change.

"The music in the mainstream has sort of lost its way," he said in a phone interview. "I'd like to be a part of bringing that back at some point."

The rock musician, who hails from Oxford, England, is finishing up his 270-city tour and will make several stops in North Carolina. Tonight, he will perform at the Village Coffee House and Cafe in Hope Mills off Camden Road.

This will be the singer's third tour, but his first time playing a show in Cumberland County.

"I have had very good experiences in the South and the Midwest," Elipsus said. "So I'm hoping that Fayetteville will continue that Southern hospitality."

Elipsus is promoting his third, two-disc album, "The Road." He has released an album each year and has slowly built a fan base through word of mouth and Facebook.

He currently has more than 109,000 Facebook fans. And many see that his show is one that the everyone can enjoy, Elipsus said.

"It's completely family friendly. There are several songs I have written just for the kids, especially ages 5 up to 18. Kids are definitely welcomed and encouraged," he said. "And it's extremely comedic. The messages on the album are very serious, but I try to make sure I incorporate some of that into the show. And plus, it's free."

Once his tour is complete, the singer said he plans to record a fourth album and start a tour in Europe.

Elipsus chatted with the Weekender Street Edition about his message of peace and his ambitious tour.

Weekender: How's this nationwide tour going for you?

Elipsus: It's really amazing. The first two tours I did were a little bit of a struggle. I wasn't selling many CDs or really doing well. But this tour has really been fantastic. My average crowd has been 50, 60 or even 100 people, very rarely less than 20. And the average CD sales have been easily 17 per show. I definitely think that some came out to the other shows before and have come back and brought friends and family.

Weekender: Has the show-a-day schedule been tough?

Elipsus: It used to be really difficult. If the show doesn't go well and you have to play two to three shows a day on the weekend, it was emotionally and physically draining. But now, especially since I started getting standing room only, it gives me a lot of energy. I don't feel nearly as physically exhausted as I used to. Even though I'm playing every single night, two-to-three shows on Saturdays and Sundays. It never really feels like work, it feels like a privilege.

Weekender: How do you feel your current project, "The Road," differs from former works?

Elipsus: When I started out, it was a lot of songs that I had written as a kid. I put all of the songs from my childhood on there. Everything I ever wrote until I was 26 was on there. The second album was much more of focused album. I produced the whole thing myself. It was my best work, a very prolific album.

Some listeners liked the first one better and some liked the second. So on the third album, I was trying to blend the two to appeal to the two parts of my fan base: Those who loved the ballads, love songs, silly songs. I wanted to please those people. But I wanted to put a lot of important messages about social issues, equal rights, the environment and animals. They're all double CDs, but this is a gargantuan one with 20 tracks on both CDs.

It's almost more of a rock sound as well, with shorter tracks. It's more radio friendly, very punchy and to the point. It's definitely less of a personal album and more of an album for the fans.

Weekender: A lot of musicians travel to share their music, but why take on such a grueling tour schedule?

Elipsus: Ever since I was little kid, I wanted to go out and reach the world with messages of peace. It was always a serious mission. I had been working on ways to help it pay for itself, and I think I reached a point where it does that, because I'm very frugal. But I would much prefer to do it on a much bigger scale. To be honest, I have a really good college degree and my family is doing very well. But I don't speak to them much.

Weekender: But why?

Elipsus: I'm sort of like an embarrassment. They're trying to help me get out of the mind set of this being a tangible or viable career. They do that by shutting me out, as if saying, 'Come back when you grow up.' But things are doing very well. I'm hoping one day they'll come around.

I'm definitely doing well enough to keep going. But I have very big aspirations, to keep reaching more people. I have 110,00 fans on Facebook. And if I keep expanding that and it keeps growing in the next year or two, at some point I can play at bigger venues and reach more people. But I'm not willing to go the "American Idol" route or dress up and be something that's more conventional. It would definitely go against what I always wanted to do. It's not about just selling records.

I'm not interested in making money for myself or anyone else, but I'm interested in changing music and making it positive. So I'll stick with that.

FOX ELIPSUS

When: Thursday, April 7, 7 p.m.

Where: The Village Coffee House & Cafe on 3351 South Peak Drive, Suite 105, Hope Mills

Admission: Free

Information: Call 323-4515.

Online: Go to Elipsus.net or facebook.com/FoxElipsus.

Staff writer Jessica De Vault can be reached at devaultj@fayobserver.com or 609-0649.

Welcome to Elipsus… An intertwining genius of two musicians, Fox Salehi and Brent Persia, whom both possess an intense passion towards an innermost drive to succeed.

Elipsus began with Fox Salehi, who has played live shows in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and Oxford, UK and met Brent Persia in the summer of 2005 in Buffalo, New York. They spent nine months mastering two CD's that eventually became, "Changing History."

Born and raised in Oxford, England, Fox Salehi traveled to America devoting his life to making music. He possesses intense political and social beliefs, which are heard in his passionate lyrics and bittersweet melodic vocals. Fox performs lead and backing vocals, pianos, synths, drum programming, as well as being a poetic lyricist. His wish is to send a message of freedom, democracy, peace, and equality.

Fox has written: " . . . people are the same wherever you go... the songs promote equality, protesting the widening poverty gap and the society neglecting those near or below the poverty line or in the third world . . . songs against war and prejudice, regardless of the excuse . . . songs inspiring people to open their minds . . . songs that reflect every tiny ounce of passion, conviction and belief we have."

Fox Salehi believes that every person, place and creature on this earth deserves the exact same respect, rights and love regardless of color, gender, nationality, political or sexual orientation.

Brent Persia is a native Western New Yorker, a multi-instrumentalist, programmer, co-songwriter and vocalist, as well as being the mastermind behind the production and engineering of, "Changing History", their 34 track collaboration. Brent is a member of Elipsus, as well as a musician in his own right. He has played venues from Corfu to Niagara Falls. He also has his own studio where he meticulously produces professional tracks.


Musically, this duo causes a stirring deep within the subconscious to rise allowing one to let go of inhibitions regarding mores indoctrinated inside of us by society. This can be heard in a track entitled, "Denounce the Pacifist" which is Fox speaking of the Nuremburg trials immediately leading into "Song For The Terrorists…", a harrowing plea for people to rise and awake from slumber to become aware of the atrocities occurring throughout our world. The political nuances in most of the songs are attributed solely to Fox.

Brent can be heard on, "Because of You", an offbeat bass line accompanied by an alternative vocal twist. He has another astounding song I adore, entitled, "What Did I Do?" with multiple invocations coupled with astounding harmonics.




They also do a tune called, "Fantasy", which is one of my favorites and an instant club hit arousing intense stirrings with a deep throated spoken word voice and bass boom beat which is playful and erotic simultaneously, bringing you that London pop feel.

The title track, "Changing History" with piano as a crescendo, rises as Fox's vocals bring you trailing higher with the background building, building allowing the listener to experience love, pain, laughter, heartache, love and regret altogether as an orchestral tribute to an extremely special soul.

For a duo, both of these musicians far outweigh conventional music, bringing you a slight twist on all genres of music. From this 31 track CD, you will find something for everyone. I highly suggest grabbing this while you can; the both of them are going to soar quite far.

Fox Elipsus Shares Music, Fun, and Serious Messages on Free US Concert Tour

July 27, 2010 by Julia Wasson

In many ways, Fox Elipsus reminds me of a wandering minstrel from the days of yore. He travels alone from town to town, singing and playing his music to delight the local folk. He is also a messenger, sharing serious thoughts about the environment, peace, education, and so much more, mixed in with light-hearted fun, engaging banter, and an awesome musical performance. And he does it all for free.

Joe and I were privileged Monday night to attend one of Fox’s 250 concerts on his 2010 Momentum tour — his third annual tour, with many more to come. His shows are all held in coffeehouses, bookstores (we saw him at Borders in Davenport, Iowa), and other congenial meeting places that allow him to set up and play without charging him for the space.

Born and raised in Oxford, England, 29-year-old Fox Elipsus (born Fox Salehi [SAL-uh-hee]) was caught by two fevers as a very young boy — music and the state of the planet.

“When I was about three or four,” he told me in a phone interview on his way to his next gig today, “I was extremely concerned with what is going on in the world. And I was crazy about a musician who concentrated on environmental themes. So I started writing my little four-year-old songs about the environment. I was also really into the Live Aid Concert for Africa.

“Throughout my education, I was motivated to try to fix the world. I found so much that was depressing, and I wanted to do something about it. As long as I can remember, it has been an innate need. And, now, I want to inspire other people to help, too, through my music.”

Several of Elipsus’s songs have serious themes, and he weaves these skillfully in with comedy (“Anderson Brown,”), love songs (“I Could Go with You”), impersonations (“Avril vs. Brittany”), and storytelling that includes members of the audience by name. And it’s a strategy that works.

We walked in as the singer was setting up. About 25 people were in the Borders Café, some with the obvious intention to watch the show, others reading or working on their laptops. The woman sitting in front of me turned her computer on while Fox connected his Casio to his speakers. I asked her if she was looking forward to the concert. “I didn’t even know there was one till this guy came in,” she said. She pulled up Farmville and started playing, apparently not yet convinced that the show would be entertaining enough to hold her attention.

Across the room to my left, an octogenarian ambled over to an easy chair, led by a Borders employee. He sat intently and silently watched the young man prepare. (As far as I could tell, his expression never changed the entire evening — yet he didn’t get up once.) Nearby, young people in their 20s sat with their parents, and a mom with a 10-year-old boy sat down in front. Three teenage girls huddled together off to my right. Another woman in hot pink tennis shoes; a flared, white, knee-length skirt; and a black T-shirt that read “This is what a feminist looks like,” sat in the second row of chairs. She was at least in her 70s, but as interested as (and in some ways more lively than) the teens.

The room looked comfortably full, but I wondered if some of the people who had come for other reasons would leave once the music started.

Exactly the opposite happened. Fox opened with what he claimed was his “least favorite” song, the delightfully zany “Anderson Brown.” This song, he said, was prompted by neighborhood preteens who told him, “You’ll never sell a CD if you don’t have at least one rap song on it!” His rap, as it turned out, was about his cat. And it included some pretty realistic meowing. We were all in guffaws by the time he had finished. The woman playing Farmville turned off her laptop before the song was over.

Though we were laughing, too, Joe and I had been lured to the show — through brilliant social marketing — by the promise of an environmental message. Charming as it was, “Anderson Brown” wasn’t quite what we’d come for.

Then Fox asked if anyone in the audience liked polar bears. Several audience members raised their hands. Fox began talking about the inspiration behind “Head for the Horizon,” a song about two polar bears that had been in the news. They were swimming out to sea, apparently expecting to encounter an iceberg. But the ice had all melted. And the polar bears would surely become exhausted and drown. An aerial camera followed them on their journey out into the vastness of the ocean. I didn’t hear what happened to them in the end. But Fox’s song implied that they must have died.

“The water is getting colder, and there’s no shore in sight, as we swim to the Aurora,” Fox sang. “We used to see glaciers in the northern lights, now I can’t see anything out there. … We could die here, but we won’t be alone; if you go, then I go.”

To my ears, the message wasn’t just about the polar bears, but a very clear warning that the extinction of the polar bear could portend the extinction of mankind. “If you go, then I go,” he had sung. The idea was as chilling as the ocean.

But just as the heaviness of a message song would begin to sink in, Fox would switch to a light-hearted lyric or a plaintive love song. By weaving the names of audience members into his love songs, even the sad songs became an opportunity for laughter. (It’s a smart marketing technique as well as a chance for everyone to play along and connect with each other. Only one of his many “victims” actually left before the two-hour concert had finished.)

The crowd continued to swell until we counted more than 60 people sitting at tables and standing in the store aisles, listening and laughing and pondering along with Fox and the rest of us.

One of his serious messages came in a song about mass media. Mass media has “no substance,” he said. “I want my music to be like Dylan, Marley, Lennon, and Hendryx. It’s a shame those messages have been replaced by people singing about Gucci and so on. Some kids might get the impression that the be all and end all of life is about how much stuff you can have.”

Fox lives what he preaches. Though he gladly accepts $10 per CD — CD sales and tips are his only source of income, he says — he is anything but driven by money. When I asked if I might quote a line or two of his lyrics, he said, “Whenever I sell a CD or give a CD away, then whatever is on that CD is yours, and you can do anything you want with it. You can copy the songs, you can sing the songs, you can quote the lyrics, you can promote them, you can even perform them as your own and not credit me. I am completely free and open with my music. The only thing I would object to is if a company that I didn’t approve of was using my music to market their product without asking me.”

Wow. You don’t get that kind of gift from many song writers.

CD sales were brisk at the show, and roughly half the number of attendees walked out carrying one or more. At $10 per double CD, that’s a bargain for fans. And Fox signed each CD, stopping to pay attention to every customer, even when the purchase took place between songs.

His fans feel the love, and the love certainly feels genuine — from both directions. After a two-hour show, the room was still packed with more than 40 people, most of whom had been there since the opening song. As soon as he finished his last one, a line formed at the CD sales table. The store manager finally had to ask everyone to leave so the employees could close up. Undaunted, Fox met outside with eight more of us, who hadn’t yet purchased our CDs.

While waiting, I had a chance to ask a few people what they thought of the show. Shannon Heaton, a sports reporter from Moline, Illinois, said, “I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun I had. At the same time, he made me think.” That seemed to be representative of the general audience response.

Perhaps the greatest compliment he got was the number of other musicians who came to Fox’s show. In fact, his first CD sale that night was to a 20-something, tatooed musician in a metal band. Not exactly the kind of audience member I might have expected to enjoy a song about a cat. So much for stereotypes.

After the show, Joe and I met another musician from Muscatine, 40-ish Jimmy Hoover, who is in a metal band called Blind Alley. He and his fiancée hung around afterward to meet Fox and buy a CD.

We were joined in our waiting by Dr. Sharon Hesse, a chiropractor. I asked her later if she had purchased a CD. “Are you kidding?” she said. “I bought all three! I can’t remember the last time I spent such a nice two hours.”

The diversity of the folks at his shows is a plus for Fox. “I like to be able to appeal to lots and lots of different people. That’s one of my main goals, not to be the kind of coffee shop singer with a guitar who sings about the environment, not to be a pop singer on American Idol, and not to be a Weird Al Yankovich guy, but to be some kind of combination that appeals to all crowds that like different sorts of things.

“And in the end, the very center of it all is the message. And it’s very, very undiluted and very serious. But it’s surrounded by all these fun jokes and love songs that draw in all kinds of people from all political and social backgrounds that might not otherwise ever listen to music with serious messages like that, just because they want to hear the meowing or they want to hear the sappy love songs.

“I think it’s working to some degree, because I do get a very interestingly diverse crowd. I get soldiers and lawyers and people from the inner cities with hardly any money. And I get lots of suburbanites. I get right wing, left wing.”

With more than 80,000 Facebook fans, you might think Fox Elipsis also would be getting some attention from the music industry, but not yet. “I haven’t had much interest from labels and commercial people yet,” he told me. “But it might be to my advantage in a way, because first of all it means I’m not having my head turned by anyone who wants to tell me to change the things I’m doing. Secondly, I’ve heard a lot from fans who have made it that, if you get signed when you’re not well known, they have a lot of control over how they market you.

“Instead of them saying, ‘Okay, we’re gonna make you famous,’ I would much rather have them say, ‘You’re doing great, so we’re just going to market you.’ I wouldn’t need to change what I’m doing, which, honestly, I don’t think I would change for anyone. If the biggest label came along and said, “We’re going to give you the biggest advertising ever, but you have to turn down the political, turn down the environmental, and play up the love songs and the jokes a little bit, I would say, “Sorry, but no. It doesn’t matter how much money you offer me, the balance is right where I want it to be at the moment.” I wouldn’t give up the serious side. that was the reason I got into it. And one of the things I protest against is the lack of serious and important stuff on the radio.”

Check out Fox Elipsus’s tour schedule for 2010. Then, if you get a chance — even if you have to drive an hour, like we did — please go. Hear his message. Laugh at his jokes. Play along with the banter. Dig his music. Then spread the word about the things that matter: equality, peace, the environment, love…

Julia Wasson

Blue Planet Green Living (Home Page)

Follow Fox Elipsus

Facebook: Fox Elipsus

Momentum Tour schedule

On a recent Thursday night, we entered to the surreal experience that is Fox. A British musician in town for the month, Fox is a one-man Pet Shop Boy. Combining pre-programmed drum loops, a Casio keyboard and a voice that would make Boy George wish he were George Michael, Fox rips through '80s new-wave synth-pop classics as well as (many originals and) modern hits like Coldplay's "Clocks".

I was dumbfounded. Amy, the friendly and very personable bartender that night, said Fox had been "doing his own thing" all night. His appearance was part of an ongoing music series the bar is trying

Local Band Lights Up the Night

A quiet Sunday evening in Depew saw a rock show that was anything but. Nightclub Rock N Roll Heaven hosted Gorilla Productions' Battle of The Bands, an annual event which acts as a launch pad for hungry young musical acts eager for their first shot at fame. According to Gorilla Productions Promoter Timothy Roma, The Battle of The Bands helps prepare younger bands to get their start in the music business, learn the responsibilities of working with venues and other bands, and helps boost their popularity. Ultimately, the goal is to sign bands, and winners receive submission to a major record label, as well as studio time to create their album. Generally catering to grunge and heavy metal bands, Sunday night's battle featured such local acts as Coven, a hard rock, heavy metal group with a distinctively dark sounding edge, and The Apologies, a young band whose punk rock sound travels in the same vein as that of The White Stripes. A rough crowd held court at center stage, cheering and colliding against the waves of the overpowering music. In the midst of it all, and in stark contrast to the show's predominantly hard edge, stood Fox Elipsus...

"This isn't the usual fare," said Fox of the hard metal crowd at Rock N Roll Heaven, "but I do really well with groups of all kinds. I recently did a show at Club Infinity and won a Battle of The Bands contest there with a predominantly punk crowd. At the end of the show, twenty-three people lined up to get CDs, who had never even heard the music before that night." With a pop-inspired, new wave sound, Fox Elipsus appeals to a wide range of audiences, regardless of genre. Playing music since the age of five, Fox formed his band Elipsus back in his home of Oxford, England as a teenager. When he was seventeen, he came to the United States, and has lived here ever since. Three years ago, he began playing for audiences locally, and most recently he released his very first album, "Changing History," which was unveiled at a CD release party at Club W this past September.

With the judging of Sunday's Battle of The Bands being decided by the hard rock-loving crowd, Fox says, "I knew we wouldn't win tonight, but you know, we gave a good show and did our best, and that's the most important thing." Indeed, Fox faced more than one hardship in preparing for Sunday's show. Mere hours before stage time, both the Elipsus guitarist and drummer cancelled for the event, forcing Fox to take drastic measures. "I found Aaron literally two hours before the show," he says of guitarist Aaron Masters who filled in for the missing Elipsus members. Masters, a successful solo artist plays as solo act "Yesterday Morning," as well as for another band, "Phobia Phobia." He has been performing for the past seven years and was jovial as he spoke of his chance encounter with Elipsus. It made for an interesting day for Masters who, after the Rock N Roll Heaven show, was off to Canisius College to lend his guitar to mega stars One Republic who were playing a show there and were in need of a Fender.

Fox is optimistic when he speaks of future endeavors. Shows are already lined up for the upcoming months, and on December 10th, Elipsus will be at Mohawk Place opening up for Tim Williams, a nationally known touring act often seen on MTV. Out of over one hundred possible musical acts that could have been chosen, Elipsus is thrilled to be a part of the show, and is confident about what lies ahead.

To learn more about Fox Elipsus, as well as their upcoming shows, check out their website at www.Elipsus.net

For Aaron Masters' music and information, check out www.Myspace.com/YesterdayMorningMusic.

And for information on Gorilla Productions and The Battle of The Bands, go to www.GorillaProductions.net.

I am the harshest critic of music. I am worse than Simon Cowell. For me to say someone is good is so rare, I hate 99% of music. So that's why I told you before, be prepared for some severe criticism. Well… Fox Elipsus... rocks!

I couldn't believe the singing. The singing is beautiful, the lyrics are great, the music... everything.

On CD1 the standout track is Outside (the revolution song), though Living In Luxury is excellent. Song For The Terrorists is the most controversial song on the album, probably one of the most controversial songs I've ever heard. I understand exactly what it means though: "one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter..." I don't know how people will react to that though.

My favourite song on CD2 is Blameless. That is just a great, great song. Your political speech was chilling, "Denounce The Pacifist." I realized I knew the words from somewhere, but as it went on I was thinking, yeah, this applies to what's going on in the political world right now. And then at the end it says who it is by... and a chill went right down my spine.

Fox Elipsus... is gonna be very very big. It's better than almost all the crap on the radio. I've been listening to the CD over and over. The lyrics really mean something, the music is great, the vocals are phenomenal. I can't wait to see them live.

We're bringing up our kids the right way: listening to Fox Elipsus… not #8 (Fantasy) though. That ones just for me and the wife...

OH MY G-D!!!!!!! I really can't even put into words how I am feeling after receiving the double CD in the mail from Fox Elipsus. This review is written after listening only to the first 7 songs (it's late and I have to go to sleep), and checking out the myspace page www.myspace.com/foxelipsus and his personal website...!!!!!

Nonetheless, off the top of my head I can think of a few to start with...AMAZING, ABSOLUTELY BLEW ME AWAY!, WHO IS THAT SINGING? (jk), EMOTIONAL, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL, MOVING... I love it and am so proud of all that they have done so far, and can't wait to see what's in store for their future!!!!!! It means the world to me that they sent me an advance copy!

It absolutely blew me away. Is Fox Elipsus... gonna make it? I have no doubt in my mind.

Overall: You have a very beautiful voice. I have to agree with the reviewer in your press who said you have "a voice that would make Boy George wish he were George Michael." Oddly, you do sound like GM at times—and I mean that as a compliment. There's enough variety in your music that I didn't get tired of the keyboards (sometimes I do), and I'd definitely go see your show! Your EPK looks great to me and it's awesome you have so many tracks to listen to. I definitely think you can keep building it as you get more press etc. Also, I might put the photos of you or Brent or both first, and then the photos that correspond with different songs.

Way Back Home:
Wow, I really like this. Bad lyrics can make me dislike even good songs—and your lyrics are lovely. Keyboard riff reminded me of Aha—in the best way possible!

Song for the Terrorists:
I like the lyrics… which is why the sort of happy music in the background threw me off. I get the message and I don't disagree with it, and it's certainly relevant and important—almost too important to be diluted with a catchy keyboard hook. Sometimes artists can balance message songs with amazing music and they really just hit it, but I think you're not quite there yet on this song. The last verses are the most powerful. I think that's because the keyboard is gone and it's just a good beat and your voice.

Now We Rule the World:
I think you got it better on this one.

Something in your eyes:
Hm, I don't like this one as much. It reminds me too much of 80's soft rock. The song is a little predictable, not as fresh as the other ones.

Fantasy:
Oh my gosh, I think I'm blushing. Should I be listening to this at work? Wow. :)

The Only Way:
And we're back! This is fantastic, fresh, and I really like it!

Thanks for inviting me to take a listen. Please remember that I'm not a musician or a reviewer, and take whatever I say with a lot of salt; That said, I can see you guys really going far with your music—please invite us to your shows in Boston!!

I really liked Changing History and that I was well impress right from the first hearing. Some songs grew on me and others I liked from the start. My favourites are: Changing History (a real winner, beautiful opening for the album), Way Back Home, Something in Your Eyes (so sad!), Outside, Song for The Terrorists, Follow (energetic!), Empty Oceans (this song is my number one, I love it! Your voice sounds brilliant!), Fantasy (you horny devil) and Eastern Seabord from cd 1. On cd 2 I love Lonely and November (Stef had burned the music for me a few years ago and to hear the songs complete was great), Dominoes, Anderson Brown and Believe.

If I had to choose a track as first single it would be either Changing History or Empty Oceans. I believe these two songs to be of the best you've written. Well done! There are no songs that I don't like, not a single one. I prefer some to others, but all of them are really good. Your voice is the best thing on the album. My only criticism is that I miss more energetic tracks, to dance to. But I guess Changing History is music for when you feel mellow.

So, oficially now: CONGRATULATIONS!!

But Only In Dreams - it is SO SO BEAUTIFUL Fox - it makes me cry and I am crying now because it brings out so much intensity... I know everyone will love it because the words and music are so emotional.

And Fantasy - WOW!!!!! I read the words a while ago - I only had time to read them once and thought they were SO sexy but also beautiful.....but when I heard the music....... my God it is SEXY Fox, it is THE sex, no wonder everyone likes it - what a surprise! - I never expected it to sound like that, it is great, you couldn't have produced it any better, really. Was it always your intention from the start to do it that way? Your voice is so sexy too, the way you sing/rap it. I think your voice is sexy in the usual way you sing, as I know it normally but it is so sexy this way too- you really, really, set the mood with this song, the way it is produced - now I know why you always say how brilliant Brent Persia is.
It has to be a BIG HIT - everyone is going to love it - God it excites me thinking about it and i've only heard it once! It is pure sex, but, and I mean this, not in an offensive way, DEFINITELY NOT offensive, you say nothing offensive in it and the way you have written the words is beautiful. If people have issues with this song, dont worry about it, you can't make everybody happy, and there are millions of people out there who are going to love it." - Susan Van Der Merwe

Let me listen to your music: these are out of order the way I have them in my playlist are according to the artist(s) - I am also not paying attention to who did what just going by feel here.

I was just watching "The United Stated Govt vs John Lennon" . . . then came here.

1. Changing History: piano is essential, makes it powerful, this reminds me of a cry to someone you knew who was treated badly and you were there to comfort them. The music keeps rising to s crescendo as your voice does, as you become more passionate about being helpess to a situation and that piano in the background keeps going like a constant reminder of pain. It builds and builds as an orchestra along with your voice in anger and pain and regret.

2. Something in Your Eyes - The lines "I'm losing you" at the beginning is powerful. I adore this one, gave you a review on this before. It is haunting but at the same time what I refer to as beautiful hurt and something everyone can relate to - that love, lost with no answers, no closure even though you know it deep in your heart it is over, you do not wish to admit it to yourself.

In all of the songs, the music goes perfectly with your voice . . . the meaning . . . the message.

3. Denounce the Pacifist . . astounding, I love that. Then it leads right into Song for the Terrorists PERFECT . . . nice intro . . . I also gave you a review of this before too. I wish to add this is what is going on right now, our boys cannot go home.

I want to play Denounce first on the show and let it run right into Song . . . the first song played.

4. Making Peace - Good God, this is you leaving . . . the music again, is haunting with the beginning and it directly brings the exact emotions across that you meant because to me, that was a haunting time for you. Then it becomes happier, rising a bit and to me, this directly corresponds with yiu leaving, that kind of pain with your message about war . . .

5. Empty Oceans: Here you compare nature (the blue skies) with yourself and how you feel not only towards yourself but another. Someone across the sea? Yes . . . the piano is crying here along with your voice . . . awww . . . you miss this person, they meant a lot to you and still do. (the background vocals, perfect) even though you are actually letting go in this song. You feel that pain still. Again, searching for an answer, some sort of closure, a wish, to see them again perhaps . . . to say . . . look . . .

6. See If You Can Reach Me: upbeat dance like intro - Oh this will be one for the clubs for sure - another hit (even though the lyrics are quite sad) it will be a club tune for sure. Just by the beat. Is this a wish for someone to see you now?

7. A Different Corner - the piano is lovely here . . . what language is that? I am not familar with this song . . . but your voice is sooooooooooooo tender . . . Oh I just wrote of this, I just wrote of this, what is worse . . . what is worse the ugliness of the world, pain in your life or the absence of beauty, beauty leaving your life. It is beauty . . . leaving it that causes pain, we are used to the ugly. (will have to send you that write)

9. But Only In Dreams: such a tender voice . . . this is beautiful hurt again, a seriously confused person who needs to find themself - oh I know this very well, they involve you in their madness and you are the one left wondering. They may not even realize or mean it. Most times they dont. Christ, this tune is my life.

10. Revolution Outside: This is ok two things I see here and not only war and death but I also see some of your own pain in here too - from your own life . . as in your own soul, a revolution going on inside, it sounds to me as if you are singing of the world and also of your own soul.
Is there another version of this? This can also mean every single person, what they feel inside themselves . . . you speaking, I love that, it is strong, sends a message, a lot of times if someone does not hear all of the words, they will hear that and a lot of times become a kind of "anthem" that fans will may along with your songs .

The ending is lovely . . . is that both of you?

SECOND PHASE OF REVIEWS:
1. Because of You: there is an offbeat something here that is astounding, sounds like a bass or something. Oh wow, Brent - yes? What an amazing voice . . . reminds me of an alternative twist to it . . . this is the first time I have heard him sing and you in the background now or is that him overdubbed? Oh man, he can hit high . . this is lovely . . . I adore this, I wish to play this . . . a tribute to someone who was kind enough to hold thier hand out in love and kindness. Like a mentor but so much more than that, gosh this is beautiful. I know many people I would send this too . . . I wish I had written this. The both of you have amazing voices, what a gift. This is a hit. For sure . . .

2. What Did I Do: this is nice . . . gosh his voice reminds me of . . Oh I cannot think of the singer now . . the backgrounds are amazing, harmonized beautifully . . . I must say for the both of you being men you do not have a problem expressing your emotions whatsoever. This is how most people feel every single day . . . it means many things to me . . . this can be to a woman, to a parent, to a "God" there are so many implications here . . . the backgrounds - very nice. I love this. I think both of these will be hits.

3. The Only Way: the drum - the beat nice . . . real drums would be massively powerful, oh, the piano is nice coming in. Kind of shows two sides . . . tender and hard . . . a requeim . . . this sounds to me like a call to either a "Father" or a "God" again . . . it can be a call to government, who is running it . . I get such a strong sense though that it is like: Why hath thou forsaken me? Like that . . . like Jesus called to his own Father as he lie dying . . . bewildered at the insanity of what has happened to him. I love how your voice RISES there and the backgrounds again - very nice. This can also refer slightly to a relationship again . . .

4. Fantasy - hehehe . . . total hit . . watch out, the panties will be flying onstage for sure . . . I adore this. DEFINITE HIT. Clubs everyplace. I want to play this. I want to give an array of music. Again, total London sound to this. I said more too in that other email.

5. If It Wasn't For You: Again, someone in your life that reached out to you and taught you showed you helped you in love and kindness and you are grateful . . . oh . . . her feet beside you . . . that is a beautiful line . . . you were in a bad place and this person helped you over that hill . . . you have loved many times . . . this sounds like someone who shall never ever leave your heart. Ever. God, this almosts makes me want to cry . . . Oh shit Fox , what happened to her? Did they not know what was in your heart? Or maybe they knew too much. Oh God I have been this woman . . . it is beautiful actually to hear you sing it - these are words I have wished to hear from someone and never have for the exact reasons why you sing this to this person. I hope they know this is for them. Your voice just soars like an eagle . . . and then it stops there . . halts . . . oh . . what a strong ending . . Jesus.

6. Feel Me on the Wind: I believe I did this one too in another email. (All of these are of women or war. As most music is . . . love and hate, dark and light) . . . you are sending your spirit to them . . . hoping they can still feel your spirit . . . the more I listen the more painful the words are to the music. I am sorry. You felt such pain - you should read some of my writing, you would feel the same way. I get out best what I need to like this, in pain and if it is not pain or longing or something passionate then it is dark . . . this is your first love?

7. Eastern Seaboard - Ok I know everyone loves this but it is an amazing fucking tune and you should be proud, I am playing this.
This is a HIT. Christ, your voice is so beautiful here . . . the lyrics . . the piano . . it is a perfect song in every manner. Your mission is here too you know? Change . . love . . peace . . . listening to self . . . being open to diversity . . . the way you keep repeating, stay with you forever will keep those lines in one's mind . . goodness you describe all of the world here with beauty and want everyone to feel this but I also feel pain in this too as in longing for that beauty . . . like I said . . we hurt when beauty leaves our lives - not when it enters because we are used to the ugly . . . in the end it is beauty that kills us. Fuck, I love this . . . grabs your heart and makes one want to just GO . . . huge political and religious connotations here too - from your traveling . . . what you saw, this is like my volume:

Driftwood . . . this tune IS driftwood . . . I explain it like this . . . (and why I have that picture of the marina there, all the driftwood? on my page) . . . we are sent out in this world like a piece of wood, a log and we drift, wandering, landing here landing ther eonyl to wash upon this beach and that, in sand or dirt and when we do finally land and stay where we are meant to be we are whitewashed and stripped, clean, changed, pure, pristine, from where we have been . . . we learned and saw felt touch smelled lived loved and died but we do arrive like driftwood . . . bleached and stripped of what we once were. Some of us, however do keep floating or some driftwood is not stripped and those pieces will keep drifting until they land like the others . . . sentient and enlightened . . or some may just keep drifting.

I adore Eastern Seaboard. I can easily see this being a hit. It is absolutely beautiful. You wrote this? This is poetry. You have a lovely voice and this song displays that beautifully.

It is so peaceful with a sense of longing - seems to me due to your travels you have seen so much and this is what I feel in this song. To me, it is a song of hope. A song of love for what you have witnessed. A rebirth. This is a song of letting go, of freedom. I think this might be my favorite one. Listening to this brings me such peace.
This is a hit Fox . . . no doubt.

Believe: Who are you singing of? It is like a vision to me. As if you are singing of an angel . . . you have been waiting for this for a long time.

Follow: Completely reminds me of a bit of classical at the beginning, the intro. I cannot explain it. What is in the background has classical to it . . . you are versatile in your range, your voice.

Song for the Terrorists: the intro is perfect. Lyrics amazing. Message astounding. (the flag lines, again, poetic) the chorus . . . perfect . . . dark but the truth (the babies etc) This is a plea . . . I can understand why people may not HEAR all the time you rmessage it is because your voice is so tender people tend to not concentrate on the words but I must understand a song, anything before I can listen to it, I have to take it apart. This is my 2nd favorite. I like when the music stops, you just have the drumbeat and you plea to the people.

I agree, a live drummer would fill out the bass . . . give it a thicker sound. But it is beautiful. Even when you are singing something stark, it does not come across that way (ok it does to me) but it is like my poetry, a lot of times people do not read into each word or line. They take what they like from it.

Something in Your Eyes: I love this, you are highly poetic Fox. I have a thing about eyes . . . so important, that is where the soul lies. They never ever lie. Everyone can relate to this. It is sad but I tend to write sad or stark (I call them bleeds or beautiful hurt)
God this one is painful . . . geez everyone can relate to this. My 3rd favorite

Fantasy: This is highly erotic and you can hear your accent here when you say water (the "r") I like the beat to this, I was telling you of my friend Lukas in London . . he always sends me tunes like this. Have you heard of Kosheen? I love when you just speak . . . your accent comes out strongly. To me? This sounds so much like what I hear from London . . . the pop not sure what it may be called there, dance? I don't know . . . the sssssshhhhhhhhhhhh part . . . PERFECT. You end that perfectly. I adore this. Reminds me of Massive Attack. "Inertia Creeps" --> what that song makes me feel. Good Lord . . Lucky Lady there . . . this is plain evil to listen to.
Another hit whether you like it or not . . . the ladies will be coming for you for sure. *smile*

The Only Way: nice drum beat there at the intro. There is that classical sound again, not sure what that is. Your voice soars here . . excellent . . . you sound so pristine. You should be so proud of your voice. You carry nicely. The message in this si exactly what is wrong with this country, nothing changes, people get tired. never change, the dam breaks. Eventually.

Changing History: Good God this one almost makes me teary eyed . . are you speaking of your Mother by any chance? This is in line with Eastern SeaBoard.

The lyrics to Living in Luxury are amazing, reminds me of spoken word poetry reading it, can easily be read Such a strong message . . . strong writing. Now I really cannot wait to get that CD.

Now We Rule the World: again, this is poetry . . . Fox . . . that is spoken word . . . you are an amazing writer.

Dominoes - BY FAR amazing fucking lyrics - that is half of what we discussed - sheesh I own a S.U.V . . . lyrically, this is my favorite. (besides Eastern - that tune is amazing . . . not even kidding)

Making Peace - Good God again, total spoken word, I could slam that piece easily . . . you should get out and watch some spoken word, this is what this is . . . poets out there speaking their hearts on the wrongness of this world.

You are a poet, I hope you realize this.

Way Back Home - wish I wrote that . . . there is a tune by Elton John, Fox, on "Madman Across the Water" (amazing album, 1970's) and he says this and it always always fucking gets me: How does it feeeeeeeeeeeel to knowwwwww you cant go hooo-meeeeeee . . .

The End

Holy Shite, man...... I Cannot Stop listening to Fox Elipsus tracks!
Some of the most Amazing Songs i have Ever heard. Simply Amazing vocals,...the keys are arranged so saddened and haunting....every part of the recordings add to the "atmosphere".

Some of my favorite bands are Muse, Placebo, Depeche Mode, even older synth bands like Sisters of Mercy and Nitzer Ebb....and if you mixed them all with Amazing Vocals(George Michael meets Michael Hutchence ) you might have an idea of where Fox Elipsus... may end up.

I am Blown Away. If Fox Elipsus EVER make it down to Birmingham AL...

APSIS, Birmingham, AL

(submit your review of any song or the whole album and we may feature it here!)

"Your music is all that you say it is, haunting, political, controversial. I enjoyed your voice and the music is professional. Nice work." - Krystal Jayden

"Loved it, as I said in my email. Captivating, thoughtful, relevant, and utterly enjoyable." Sarah Carpenter

"Song For The Terrorists is the bravest song I"ve heard written in a while." - E-ROCK REMASTERING

"I was just on myspace listening to your new music and I really enjoyed it. I think you have an outstanding and fresh artistic ability that helps you create music that is both powerful within the notes and the lyrics as well. I am not just saying this without any expertise because I myself am incredibly interested in the arts (too bad i never went to school for it). Your music sounds great anyways and I can't wait to tell alex to hop onto to myspace and check out. I am looking forward to listening to album in whole. (ps. my favorite song is Changing History, I think its wonderful and beautiful)" Keki Hadjiski

"Yep, another thumbs up from me too. I co-sign newgeek, I hear those influences too, and those are some of my favorites as well. I think you guys are definitely going places. Everything is well done, the vocals sound good, and lyrics are fantastic, then throw in that good music, and its a recipe for success." - do1productions

"Fox Elipsus, your music is deeply spiritual and truthful, I am really feeling it, Keep doing your thang man. May God Continue to manifest greatness in you.…" - PG Project

"I am writing to tell you that I like your music, and I think that like you said with effort and luck, you get your record deal, and do all of that concerts in stadiums around the world, and you can change the world it will be wonderful for all and even for you for achieved that dream. I hope soon to see you in MTV or whatever, with your music, like all the way you said."
Diego Martinotti