The seeds of what would become Hills Like White Elephants were sown in 2004 when guitarist Stefan Dehod and vocalist/guitarist Chris Blackmore began jamming and playing local shows in and around Sherwood Park. Blackmore began to develop a new sound and found additional musicians in the form of drummer Mike Kropiniski and bassist Jim Cumming. The foursome crafted songs in a cramped 12' x 12' room in Blackmore's basement and played a single show to friends before Kropiniski and Dehod took time off to live out of a backpack for half a year. In their absence, Blackmore’s song writing took a new direction; one that was darker and held a noticably visceral angst. At this point, a few friends started up the record label now known as Champion City Records and asked if the band would be interested in joining. Kropiniski and Dehod returned, a band name was chosen, and the group recorded a 4 song self-titled EP featuring the new songs. The EP was recorded with Champion City Records co-founder Eric Cheng (at the Wash & Dry studios) and released in December of 2006. Since September of the same year the group has been playing local shows in bars and other crafty venues selected by local promoters Kristin Cheung and Cecil Frena. For these shows, the band has brought friends on board to help fill out the sound. Their shows have featured anywhere from five to eight members, eliciting help from Tala Berkes (theremin, vocals), Eric Cheng (trombone), Janet Chung (violin), Doug Hoyer (mandolin, accordian), Blair Drover (trumpet) and Catherine Hiltz (cello). Currently, Eric Cheng, Janet Chung and Catherine Hiltz now play as full time members, adding an orchestral element which serves as a counterpoint to the often devastating rock wrought by the rest of the band. Hills Like White Elephants have shared the stage with various bands from across Canada, including The Acorn, Away Ri’o! Chet, Eisenhauer, Love and Mathematics, Woodpigeon, Storyboard, Jane Vain and had the honour of playing the Sled Island Festival in Calgary during June of 2007. The group has currently finished their second full-length album "Himalaya" and will be releasing it January, 2008.

biography by Mike Kropiniski

DISCOGRAPHY:

2008: Himalaya (full-length)

2007: Champion City Records compilation (featuring previously unreleased live recordings)

2006: Hills Like White Elephants (self-titled EP)

2006: Paper Tigers (cassingle release featuring remixes by Marshall Stack and Westfalia)