Southern California surf rock group Dante Elephante has a packed 2018 planned. They just released details of their upcoming tour and announced a new record too. Later this year we’ll have our hands on the LP, Rare Attractions, but until then, we can enjoy the first single from it, the sunny break up ballad, “Call Me (on the Phone).”
 
The track originated from an impromptu phone call between singer and songwriter of Dante Elephante, Ruben Zarate, and his recent ex, with whom he’d been in a serious, long-term relationship. “It was a pretty average talk,” he said, describing their conversation. “She rambles about how she’s been since the break up and I gave short responses on how I’ve been. We hang up, I sit at the piano again, and then the first thing that came out of my mouth was: call me on the phone / cause you know what it does / it says, I have to be someone I’m not.”
 
The track highlights a human vulnerability regarding past relationships that often remains hidden until directly confronted. The mix of emotions Zamate must have felt in that moment had to include confusion, sadness, and disappointment, but Dante Elephante makes the most of it with their brand of hopeful surf rock, including a dangerously catchy saxophone solo thrown in for good measure. Zamate eventually admits that his insecurities are his to overcome, and given the tune’s melody, he’s making great strides, one step at a time: “I have to be so much stronger.”

Dante Elephante are headed on tour along the west coast. They’ll be skirting around LA, and playing with Sego in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco. See their full schedule here. Keep up with the band via Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

by: Zoë Elaine