Tales of Teenage Triumph: ELPENTHE & Half Wolf Premiere "What We Got Away With," Their Softly Cinematic Fever Dream

Radiating with unbridled passion and dazzling energy, ELPENTHE and Half Wolf’s new song “What We Got Away With” is a fever dream of teenage triumph.

“What We Got Away With” – ELPENTHE (ft. Half Wolf)

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There’s a youthful exuberance shining through the cracks of ELPENTHE and Half Wolf’s new song. Radiating with unbridled passion and dazzling energy, “What We Got Away With” is a fever dream of teenage triumph: An infectious mix of nostalgia and reverie running down the halls of memory lane.

What We Got Away With (feat. Half Wolf) - ELPENTHE — What We Got Away With (feat. Half Wolf) – ELPENTHE

i had so much fun
wonderin’ how i’d get out
of my basement bedroom window
past 10 o’ clock
grab my book, fix my hair
then i’d start for bed
make it look like i was laying there

Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “What We Got Away With,” ELPENTHE’s second single and the latest release off his forthcoming debut EP, Elpenthe I. The electronic-dance artist project of Venice, California-based Elliot Beenk, ELPENTHE formally introduced himself just this past April with the achingly expressive “Already Know” featuring Devan Glover of acclaimed folk rock band Wild Rivers. Despite this being his official solo debut, Beenk has been an established entity for years, with endorsements from Fender, Martin, Ableton, and Sequential Circuits, and past work with everyone from Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Finish Ticket, Zach Heckendorf, Lissie, and Marie Lang. He derives his artist name from the Ancient Greek. potion nepenthe, which was used by the gods to chase away sorrow.

In line with that idea, ELPENTHE’s music is a beacon of inspiration and invigorating light. He doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and yet his songs are intended as a harbinger of revelry and cheer, as is instantly felt in his latest offering. Featuring singer/songwriter Half Wolf, “What We Got Away With” showcases ELPENTHE’s talents as a producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist as together, he and Half Wolf bring this story of young, reckless abandon to life.

“There are lessons to be learned in the life cycle of every song,” ELPENTHE tells Atwood Magazine. “‘What We Got Away With’ started with Half Wolf’s inimitable storytelling as a folk song on piano. When writing the song, Wolf reminisced, ‘I was thrown in the back of a cop car half naked with my best friend and a boy we met at the gas station earlier that day’ — I was instantly drawn to the tales of teenage triumph.”

“The challenge with this song was finding a way to keep the intimacy and excitement simultaneously. We had several versions that we loved but wanted the drums to knock harder, which led us to bring in TK Kayembe to add his signature cheat codes. After sixty-three versions, ‘What We Got Away With – thefinalversionforrealreal_sushi – v63’ was the final version that got sent off to mix — a humbling reminder that part of the excitement is letting a song surprise you.”

“What We Got Away With” is an escape and an indulgence all at once: A visceral, anthemic reclamation of one’s youth, inviting all bask in a moment of cheer for what once was. Stream “What We Got Away With” exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and stay tuned for more from this up-and-coming artist as he continues to tease singles off his debut EP.

Elpenthe I is due out this summer.

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