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El Ten Eleven
El Ten Eleven
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El Ten Eleven is an American post-rock duo based out of Los Angeles, California. They are known for combining guitar/bass doubleneck or fretless bass, with heavy looping, or vamping, and the use of an effects pedal, over acoustic or electric drumming. They have released ten full-length albums, 2 EPs and a remix album, earning generally positive reviews.

Key Information

The band has earned some attention due to many of their songs being featured in the soundtracks of Gary Hustwit's design documentaries Helvetica, Objectified, and Urbanized.

The name El Ten Eleven is derived from the name of an airliner, the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar.[1]

Career

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2002-2007

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Bassist and composer Kristian Dunn and drummer Tim Fogarty formed El Ten Eleven in 2002 while living in the Silver Lake community of Los Angeles.[2] They released their eponymous debut album, El Ten Eleven in 2004 on Fake Record Label, and through Bar/None Records on September 20, 2005. Many reviews of the album garnished the band with positive acclaim. Comparisons have been drawn to Sigur Rós and The Mercury Program, though reviews have heavily emphasized the duo's use of a limited number of musicians to create complex instrumental works. The Dallas Observer called them the fourth best instrumental band in the last twenty years.[3] Spin, which awarded them the title 'Band of the Day', September 29, 2005, describes their work as "experimental instrumental music that's both highly skilled and deeply felt."[4]

2005 also saw the band embark on their first US tour. This was the beginning of the band playing for years, almost non-stop, around the country. SF Weekly remarked of their live show, "Watching El Ten Eleven play is something like watching two superheroes do their thing."[5] Regarding their live show, Dunn commented to the Scenestar in 2012, "We refuse to use prerecorded tracks live, so that means the live versions of the songs will be a little different from on the record."[6]

In 2007, the movie Helvetica was released with original music by Kristian Dunn, and much of the contributed music performed by the duo.[7] Their second album was also released that year, on CD format July 9, and then available later for download that August. A music video was also shot that year for the song "Hot Cakes", directed by video producer and writer Adam Hauck.[8][9]

In late 2007, Xtal Records released the band's second full-length album, Every Direction Is North in Japan, a version which included the bonus track "Jumping Frenchmen Of Maine." In a January 28, 2008, blog post on their website, and MySpace page, the band released "Jumping Frenchmen of Maine" as an online download, stating that the song was from their forthcoming album. A PayPal link was included for listeners, giving them the option to pay any amount they wished for the song, much like what Radiohead had done with In Rainbows in 2007.

2008–2010

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On July 15, 2008, the band released their third album, These Promises Are Being Videotaped, a more dance oriented outing. The record was recorded using only fretless bass and electronic and acoustic drums.

The band released their fourth studio album, It's Still Like a Secret, on November 9, 2010.[10][11]

2011–2013

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Their fifth album, Transitions, was released on October 2, 2012.

Transitions Remixed was released on April 2, 2013. It features remixes of songs from Transitions by electronic artists Com Truise, Slow Magic, D33J and Steed Lord, among others, and reached No. 13 on the CMJ college radio chart.

Since 2014

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On February 4, 2014 the band released For emily, a three-song EP dedicated to a friend who died the previous year.[12] The word "emily" is purposely written in all-lowercase as that is the way she would write her name.[13]

On July 18, 2014, the duo announced an Indiegogo campaign to fund the pressing of new vinyl records for their original album El Ten Eleven, Transitions, and a new pressing for For emily. For this fundraiser, fans could order any of vinyls for these three albums, the original test pressing records for these albums, or pay to be on the band's official guest list for life. Also, the For emily EP included an additional bonus track not available digitally called Favrile. The fundraiser ended on August 3, 2014.[14]

Three years after the release of Transitions, the band announced the release of their sixth studio album, Fast Forward, via social media accounts.[15] The album was released on August 21, 2015. Coinciding with the album's release, the band also planned a tour across the United States in support of the album following its release, including locations across the United States such as New York, Atlanta, California, and more.[16] In 2017, 2018, and 2022, the band has been supporting Peter Hook and the Light on some of their concert dates.[17][18] In 2018, they released Banker's Hill.[19] The following year they signed with Joyful Noise Recordings, reissuing their debut LP. In 2020, they announced that their eighth full-length album Tautology would be released in September.[20]

Tautology, a triple album, was released on September 18, 2020.

New Years Eve was released on March 4, 2022, and was followed less than a year later by Valley of Fire.

Musical style

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According to Paul Simpson of AllMusic, El Ten Eleven is an instrumental post-rock band with compositions that have been described as "bittersweet", "upbeat", and "complex". The band's sound is achieved through the use of fretless bass, a "double-neck bass/guitar combo", electronic drum kit, looping stations and effects pedals. The group's melodies are described as "chiming" and "heartfelt", and the songs themselves are described as "energetic, even danceable". Several of the band's songs are named after deceased friends and relatives.[21]

Discography

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Band members

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  • Kristian Dunn – Wal fretless bass, 1977 and 1978 Carvin guitar/bass doublenecks, Schecter Robert Smith UltraCure VI six string bass, Shergold six string bass, Aria Pro II SB1000
  • Tim Fogarty – electric drums, acoustic drums, drum pads

Side projects

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Dunn and Fogarty used to be members of the San Diego–based band Softlightes, the first American band signed to the Australian label Modular Records.[22]

Dunn recorded the debut LP, See You at the Solipsist Convention, for a new project under the band name Yesness with Damon Che of Don Caballero on Joyful Noise Recordings.[23][24]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
El Ten Eleven is an American duo based in , formed in 2002 by multi-instrumentalist Kristian Dunn on double-neck bass/guitar and Tim Fogarty. The band is renowned for its innovative live performances, in which Dunn employs looping pedals and effects to layer intricate guitar and bass lines in real time, mimicking the sound of a full ensemble without the use of laptops, overdubs, or additional musicians. Since their debut self-released album El Ten Eleven in 2004, the duo has built a prolific catalog through their independent label Fake Records, initially self-producing six albums before signing with in 2018. Key releases include These Promises Are Being Videotaped (2008), It's Still Like a Secret (2010), Transitions (2012), Banker's Hill (2018), Tautology (2020), (2022), and their tenth studio album Valley of Fire in 2023, which explores themes of impermanence and reflection through bittersweet, upbeat instrumentals. Their music blends post-rock's atmospheric builds with indie and electronic elements, often evoking emotional depth via rhythmic complexity and melodic hooks. El Ten Eleven has garnered acclaim for their technical prowess and touring ethic, performing extensively across and while featuring in high-profile media such as advertisements and director Gary Hustwit's design documentaries Helvetica, Objectified, and Urbanized. Despite occasional lineup adjustments, the core duo has maintained a consistent output, emphasizing live and personal storytelling through sound.

History

Formation and early years (2002–2007)

El Ten Eleven was formed in 2002 in by bassist and composer Kristian Dunn and drummer Tim Fogarty, who had previously been members of the San Diego-based band Softlightes. The duo drew their band name from the , a wide-body produced by . The band self-released their debut self-titled album on August 7, 2004, through Dunn's own Fake Record Label, initially receiving limited distribution and modest attention. The record was reissued on September 20, 2005, by Bar/None Records, which expanded its reach and prompted the duo's first extensive U.S. tour that year, marking the start of their rigorous touring schedule. In 2007, El Ten Eleven released their second album, Every Direction Is North, on July 2 via Fake Record Label, further developing their instrumental sound with layered compositions. That same year, several tracks from the album, including "Thinking Loudly" and "Every Direction Is North," were included in the soundtrack for Gary Hustwit's documentary , introducing the band to a broader audience interested in and . Their early work was influenced by post-rock elements, emphasizing atmospheric and rhythmic complexity without vocals.

Expansion and experimentation (2008–2013)

In 2008, El Ten Eleven released their third studio album, These Promises Are Being Videotaped, through their own Fake Record Label. The album, recorded in 2007, featured eight tracks that built on the duo's looping techniques while exploring more introspective themes, including references to personal obsessions like . Limited edition vinyl pressings were also distributed via Gnome Records in collaboration with Fake Record Label. The band's fourth album, It's Still Like a Secret, followed in November , again on Fake Record Label, introducing a noticeable incorporation of electronic flourishes alongside their signature instrumentation. Spanning 12 tracks and clocking in at over 41 minutes, the record was recorded across multiple Los Angeles-area studios and emphasized breezy melodies with breakneck percussion. This release marked a subtle evolution in their sound, blending organic elements with synthetic textures for a more expansive feel. During this period, El Ten Eleven contributed music to soundtracks, enhancing their visibility beyond album releases. Songs from the band appeared in Gary Hustwit's 2009 documentary Objectified, including "I Like Because My Sister Says They Are Cool" featured in the trailer, and in the 2011 Urbanized, where additional tracks supplemented Kristian Dunn's original score. These inclusions in Hustwit's design-focused highlighted the duo's atmospheric style in cinematic contexts. El Ten Eleven's fifth album, Transitions, arrived in October 2012 on Fake Record Label, following a limited promotional release tied to a 2011 gala event. The seven-track effort, produced by the band, delved into shifting time signatures and tempos, reflecting personal life changes for Dunn and Tim Fogarty. A remix EP, Transitions Remixed, emerged in 2013, featuring reinterpretations by artists such as , Slow Magic, and Amp Live, expanding the original material into electronic and glitch-infused variations. This era saw El Ten Eleven ramp up touring activity, with extensive U.S. dates supporting their releases and initial forays into international markets, including Canadian shows as part of a 2013 North American run. These performances solidified their live reputation for intricate, loop-driven sets.

Maturity and recent work (2014–present)

In 2014, El Ten Eleven released the For emily EP on their Fake Record Label imprint, a three-track work dedicated as a tribute to a recently deceased friend. The EP, featuring tracks like "" and "Yyes!", showcased the duo's signature looping techniques in a more introspective, atmospheric style. The band followed with their sixth full-length album, Fast Forward, self-released on Fake Record Label in August 2015. This nine-track effort highlighted the core duo of Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogarty's technical proficiency with doubleneck instruments and effects pedals, building layered post-rock compositions without digital backing tracks. In 2018, after signing with Topshelf Records, El Ten Eleven issued Banker's Hill, their seventh studio album, primarily produced by bandleader Kristian Dunn in collaboration with external producer Sonny Diperri at Panoramic House studios. The record explored themes of anxiety, family, and transient joy through nine instrumental pieces, marking a shift toward more collaborative production while retaining the duo's live-looping foundation. By 2019, the band signed with to facilitate wider distribution of their catalog, beginning with a 15th-anniversary of their self-titled debut that September. This partnership enabled expanded physical releases and digital reach for subsequent works, aligning with the label's focus on instrumental and experimental artists. El Ten Eleven's 2020 release, the triple Tautology on , delved into thematic repetition across three discs representing life's stages—from youthful to mature reflection and final transcendence—using recurring motifs to mirror human cycles. The 21-track set, issued in September, emphasized the duo's evolving compositional depth amid the . The band's output continued with in March 2022, a six-song LP on Joyful Noise Recordings that blended pulsating rhythms with meditative abstraction. This release maintained their instrumental core while incorporating subtle electronic elements for atmospheric intensity. Valley of Fire, El Ten Eleven's tenth studio album, arrived in February 2023 via Joyful Noise Recordings, featuring seven tracks unified by themes of renewal and introspection inspired by natural landscapes. As their most recent full-length as of 2025, it underscored the duo's sustained creativity in blending math-rock precision with emotional resonance. Touring remained a staple, with El Ten Eleven supporting Peter Hook and the Light on select U.S. dates in 2017, 2018, and 2022, including performances at venues like The Wiltern and The Warfield. They have continued regular U.S. shows, such as a January 2024 headline at Casbah in , affirming their active live presence. Throughout this period, El Ten Eleven's bittersweet song-naming convention persisted, often honoring personal losses through titles like those on For emily and earlier works, infusing their music with tributes to departed friends and . This approach lent a poignant, quality to their otherwise abstract instrumentals.

Artistry

Musical style and influences

El Ten Eleven's music is primarily classified as , incorporating elements of experimental, ambient, , , and . The duo crafts intricate, compositions that emphasize atmospheric intensity and inventive arrangements, creating a sound that is both pulsating and meditative. Their work appeals to fans of 's rhythmic complexity, ambient's textural depth, and 's structural ambition, while maintaining an accessibility that transcends traditional boundaries. Central to their style are bittersweet yet upbeat melodies that blend emotional depth with complex, danceable rhythms, often evoking a sense of through soaring guitar lines and layered percussion. As an entirely outfit, El Ten Eleven conveys profound feeling without lyrics, focusing on evocative abstractions that invite listeners to impose personal interpretations. Themes of , , and loss recur throughout their catalog, reflecting introspective narratives drawn from real experiences. For instance, the 2020 album Tautology represents the journey from adolescence through end of , incorporating reflection on impermanence and loss. Songs like "We Lost A Giant" from the 2015 album serve as tributes to loved ones, such as a dedication to Tim Fogarty's father. The band's influences draw from ambient and rhythmic sources, with comparisons often made to for their ethereal textures and to The Mercury Program for propulsive, groove-oriented drive. Early releases, such as their 2007 album Every Direction Is North, rooted in and frameworks with intricate riffs and hazy atmospheres, evolved over time into more electronic-infused, propulsive territory by the 2010s, incorporating synth elements and sensibilities without abandoning their core organic feel. This progression mirrors broader shifts in instrumental music, yielding comparisons to for the duo's masterful atmospheric builds and dynamic crescendos.

Techniques and equipment

El Ten Eleven's sound is built around innovative techniques that enable the duo to generate intricate, multi-layered compositions in real time without additional musicians or pre-recorded tracks. Central to this is and Kristian Dunn's use of looping pedals, which allow him to layer bass lines, guitar melodies, and effects sequentially during performances, creating the illusion of a full band. These pedals, chosen for their precision and reliability on tour, integrate capabilities to synchronize with drummer Tim Fogarty's electronic elements, ensuring tight rhythmic alignment across loops. Dunn employs a distinctive Carvin DB630 double-neck instrument, enabling him to play both bass and guitar parts simultaneously on older material, complemented by a for fluid, expressive lines. His effects chain includes the Digitech Bass Whammy for pitch-shifting to produce propulsive bass lines, the '80s Marshall Guv'nor distortion pedal for grit, and a Line 6 M9 stompbox modeler for versatile modulation and delay, yielding shimmering, noodly guitar textures that evoke ambient depth. In live settings, this setup demands high stamina, as the duo constructs songs layer by layer on stage, resulting in energetic, danceable performances despite their format. Fogarty's drum kit blends acoustic and electronic components for dynamic versatility, featuring a 6×14 Pork Pie Big Black brass snare, 10″, 14″, and 16″ Rototoms, and a 14×22 Ludwig Vistalite bass drum, paired with cymbals like 14″ Zildjian A New Beat hi-hats and a 24″ Sabian AA Bash ride. Electronically, he incorporates a Roland TD-8 module, Akai MPC500 sampler, and Yamaha DTX-Multi 12 pad for synth melodies and programmed rhythms, with loops of these elements routed through an A/B switch to Dunn's stereo looper for seamless integration. This hybrid approach, equal parts acoustic punch and electronic vamping, supports the looping foundation by providing vamped grooves that Dunn builds upon. In the studio, translates these live methods into polished recordings through multi-tracking, layering , and percussion to craft complex, haunting melodies, as heard in albums produced with engineer Sonny DiPerri using outboard gear like the Bricasti Design Model 7 reverb and Eventide H3500 for atmospheric effects. This process emphasizes organic builds similar to their performances, recorded at facilities like Sage and Sound Studio in Hollywood to capture the full sonic depth without digital shortcuts.

Discography

Studio albums

El Ten Eleven's debut studio , El Ten Eleven, was released in 2004 (with a wider distribution in 2005) by Bar/None Records, capturing a raw energy through its compositions built on looping guitar and percussion. The features 9 tracks over approximately 36 minutes and was initially issued on CD, with later reissues on vinyl and digital formats. The follow-up, Every Direction Is North, arrived in 2007 on Fake Record Label, expanding the duo's sound with soundtrack-like qualities inspired by personal experiences. It includes 10 tracks spanning about 41 minutes, available on CD, digital, and subsequent vinyl reissues. These Promises Are Being Videotaped, released in 2008 on Fake Record Label, introduced video-themed concepts alongside the band's signature looping techniques. This 9-track runs roughly 40 minutes and was distributed on CD and digital platforms. In 2010, Fake Record Label issued It’s Still Like a Secret, incorporating more secretive, electronic-infused tracks into the framework. The album contains 10 tracks totaling around 42 minutes, released on CD, vinyl, and digital. Transitions, put out in 2012 by Fake Record Label (later ), emphasized looping in a transitional phase of the band's evolution, with 9 tracks clocking in at about 40 minutes across CD, vinyl, and digital formats. The self-released Fast Forward in 2015 (via Fake Record Label) featured accelerated rhythms and personal themes, comprising 10 tracks over 44 minutes in digital, CD, and vinyl editions. Banker’s Hill, released in 2018 on Fake Record Label and Topshelf Records and produced by Kristian Dunn, offered a reflective tone with 9 tracks lasting approximately 38 minutes, available on vinyl, CD, and digital. Switching to Joyful Noise Recordings, Tautology emerged in 2020 as a triple album exploring repetitive motifs, with 21 tracks across three volumes totaling about 75 minutes, issued in digital, CD, and limited vinyl formats. New Years Eve, from 2022 on Joyful Noise Recordings, delivered holiday-timed emotional depth through 9 tracks running 40 minutes, in digital, CD, and vinyl releases. The most recent studio album, Valley of Fire, was released in 2023 by , showcasing fiery and intense soundscapes across 7 tracks in about 35 minutes, available digitally, on CD, and bone-colored vinyl. Overall, El Ten Eleven's studio albums typically feature 7-10 tracks each (except the expansive Tautology), with runtimes of 35-45 minutes, emphasizing instrumental built live without overdubs, and distributed primarily in vinyl, CD, and digital formats through independent labels.

EPs and other releases

El Ten Eleven has released several EPs and remix projects outside their studio albums, often through their own imprint Fake Record Label. The For Emily EP, issued in 2014 as a digital and vinyl release, consists of three instrumental tracks—"Nova Scotia," "Yyes!," and "Reprise"—serving as a tribute to a recently deceased friend of the band. In 2013, the band put out Transitions Remixed, a full-length remix album featuring reinterpretations of tracks from their prior studio effort Transitions by guest artists including , Slow Magic, and ; it was released digitally and on vinyl via Fake Record Label. The duo has also contributed original tracks and scores to soundtrack compilations for director Gary Hustwit's design documentaries. For Helvetica (2007), multiple songs from El Ten Eleven's debut album, such as "My Only Swerving" and "Central Nervous Piston," appear on the film's official compilation, released by Plexifilm. In Objectified (2009), the track "I Like Because My Sisters Says They Are Cool" is featured, alongside original score compositions by guitarist Kristian Dunn. For Urbanized (2011), the includes El Ten Eleven songs like "Tomorrow Is an Excuse for Today," complemented by Dunn's original score, distributed via the film's associated releases. Additional non-album releases include the Unusable Love EP (2017, ), a four-track digital and vinyl outing with vocal features from , and various limited-edition singles such as the 7-inch "Brobocop/Falling" (2011, ) and the flexi-disc "New Year’s Eve (Demo)" (2022, , limited to 500 copies). In 2024, the live single "Your Silent Face (Live in Studio)" was released digitally. These singles, often available in 7-inch vinyl or digital formats, highlight standalone compositions or live recordings not associated with full-length albums.

Band members

Current members

El Ten Eleven is an duo consisting of Kristian Dunn and Tim Fogarty, who have formed the band's stable core since its inception in 2002. Kristian Dunn, the band's founder and primary songwriter, performs on guitar, , and custom double-neck guitar/bass instruments, enabling the intricate layering central to their sound. A and based in , Dunn also played bass in the San Diego-based band Softlightes (formed 2004), alongside Fogarty. Tim Fogarty has served as the band's since its formation, managing both acoustic and electronic percussion elements to complement Dunn's contributions. As a long-term collaborator with Dunn, Fogarty's precise rhythms underpin the duo's live performances, which rely on synchronized looping without additional musicians or digital aids. The partnership between Dunn and Fogarty allows El Ten Eleven to achieve a full-band density through real-time looping techniques, creating multi-layered compositions that mimic an ensemble despite their two-person format. This dynamic has remained unchanged since 2002, with no former members. Dunn named the band El Ten Eleven after the aircraft, incorporating "El" as a nod to the culture in .

Side projects

Kristian Dunn, the and of El Ten Eleven, has pursued several side projects that diverge from the duo's sound. Prior to forming El Ten Eleven in 2002, Dunn was a member of the San Diego-based band Inch, contributing bass to their albums Say Goodbye to the 405 (1995) and DOT Class "C" (1996), which featured aggressive, angular riffs characteristic of the 1990s punk and scenes. In the mid-2000s, both Dunn and drummer Tim Fogarty participated in the band Softlightes, alongside vocalist Ron Fountenberry. The group released their debut album Say No! To Being Cool. Say Yes! To Being Happy in 2007 on Modular Recordings, blending upbeat melodies, jangly guitars, and prominent vocals in contrast to El Ten Eleven's looping, instrumental focus. Fogarty's primary focus has remained with El Ten Eleven, with no notable side projects beyond Softlightes. More recently, Dunn formed the duo Yesness with drummer of in 2023. Their debut album, See You at the Solipsist Convention, released on November 22, 2024, via , emphasizes intricate bass lines, complex percussion, and syncopated rhythms, offering a denser, more propulsive sound than El Ten Eleven's atmospheric loops. Dunn has also engaged in other collaborations, including the project Missing Sons with drummer Hayden Scott, which released a self-titled in 2021 on , exploring raw, dynamic interplay between bass and drums. Additionally, in 2021, he co-created the ethereal electronic project Arguing With Hurricanes with Norwegian artist Zialand, resulting in a limited cassette EP of atmospheric tracks featuring guest drummers.

References

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