Elephant Run’s origin story is one of the most unique we have ever heard. Formed by an eclectic group of Brazilian and Swedish musicians, the band’s upbringings include being separated by COVID between 2018 and 2022, sparking an overdue and heartfelt reunion and a striking new album. ‘Leftover Land’ is the result of such a long and wholesome process: packed with a wide range of references, the record develops its authentic character with prog rock, jazz and soulful elements, all declined following Elephant Run’s heightened sensibility.
Hailing from Sweden, singer and pianist Amanda Wahlström Plantin spent some time in Brazil prior to 2018, connecting with Ladislau Kardos on drums, Fernando Coelho on guitar, and Renato Cortez. As mentioned above, she wasn’t able to return until four years later, when the band finally recorded ‘Leftover Land’ during a residential session at Mato Records Studio.
Intrigued by the project, we caught up with Elephant Run to learn more about their artistry and future goals… Interview below!
Hey guys, how is it going? Thanks for chatting with us! I have enjoyed reading about your peculiar origin story; In a way, ‘Leftover Land’ was destined to happen, no matter the hurdles around it. Before we dive deeper into it, how proud are you of the record?
Fernando Coelho: Hi Gab! Thank you for having us on Mesmerized for this interview! We’re doing really well, and even though we’re far apart right now, we’re deeply connected through the band in every way. This album holds a special place for us because it brought our friendship back together and made our dream of recording another album a reality. Despite only having a few days in the studio, we’re thrilled with how the sound turned out.
Amanda Wahlström Plantin: We’re very proud, yes. When we recorded it, I think we were really just doing it for ourselves, for our own ears, needs, and pleasure. We never imagined it would actually revive the band the way it did. And that, in a way, made the creative process… more honest, maybe. We weren’t thinking about who’d listen or what they’d think. But as we started sharing the album, it hit us: Damn, we made something great here. And yeah—that left us insanely proud.
The group underwent an extended hiatus between 2018 and 2022, mainly due to the pandemic and travel restrictions. Were the different members still composing and writing individually during that time?
Amanda Wahlström Plantin: Yes, exactly. While we all play and write music for other projects individually, we hadn’t been working as a band. Ladis and Coelho would occasionally jam together, sometimes with Renato in different collaborations. We’d exchange old recordings and demos, fantasising about completing them someday.
During the pandemic, our Zoom sessions started as casual beer hangouts, but over time, we began doubting we’d ever properly reunite, worried the magic might be gone. Then Leftover Land happened. By the time we recorded our third album at Mato Records in 2024 (which we’re hoping to release this year or next), we were already each writing material specifically for the band. We knew then that we were back, committed to recording together and hitting the road again. The distance didn’t faze us anymore, though nothing beats creating music in the same room when we can.
You mentioned that your evocative reunion in 2022 – recording the album in a remote studio – fuelled a sense of urgency and longing. Was it hard to play together again? Did you find it easier or harder to compose collectively and find a common point of arrival?
Fernando Coelho: We were lucky that our reunion clicked instantly – the time we’d spent apart actually made us more attentive to each other, and created this incredible energy between us. Honestly, the sheer joy of playing together again completely overshadowed any nerves we might have had about our performance.
Amanda Wahlström Plantin: It all happened very organically, really. Collaborative writing is completely different from working alone, and that difference is probably what defines our sound. After years apart, we’d each grown as musicians and composers, so rediscovering each other creatively was exciting.
We gathered at Coelho’s place in São Paulo (not Renato’s, since he lives a few hours away in Minas Gerais), just jamming and playing together. Before we knew it, we were scheduling time at Mato Records (Renato’s studio) just weeks later. In those preparatory weeks, we worked on song structures, arrangements, and final lyrics in São Paulo before bringing everything to Renato.
Truthfully, we hadn’t even finalised which songs to record when we arrived – those decisions emerged naturally through voting, compromise (sometimes intense, haha), and just playing together. But once we started producing, it just… clicked. Felt right, like this was exactly where we were supposed to be. Of course, we sometimes have our disagreements while composing and producing – we’re all passionate and creative clashes happen. We all care about the project, and that intensity just shows how much this band means to all of us. And I think that realisation hit us all over again when we were finally together in the same room.
Stylistically, ‘Leftover Land’ is rather enigmatic, with a mix of Brazilian and European influences spanning rock, psychedelia and hidden jazz flavourings. How would you describe it?
Fernando Coelho: We’re the kind of band that loves writing together, and we make a point of never recycling ideas or styles that worked in past songs. While we definitely have our own musical identity, we thrive on the challenge of reinventing ourselves with each new composition. When choosing songs for the album, we always ask ourselves: ‘Have we done something like this before? Does this sound too much like Elephant Run?’
Amanda Wahlström Plantin: I like how you describe our style—sounds like a cool band, haha! Some people (not sure who started it) call it ‘Nordic Tropical.’ We don’t consciously aim for that sound, but I get why it sticks. It probably reflects our individual influences—the music we genuinely love and grew up with. Maybe it’s also about how we sound when we’re just playing freely, without overthinking. The process is honest: we don’t force weirdness or complexity. If a song demands quirky breaks, a certain vocal personality, or a C-part in 7/8, we go for it. But if it works with three chords and a straight 4/4; that’s just as valid.
While we always trust our instincts, defining our sound is tricky—sometimes it’s easier to say what it’s not. I’ve scrapped ideas for not feeling ‘Elephant Run-ish’ enough, only for Coelho or Ladis to sneak them back into rehearsals. They’d just keep playing those parts casually, without comment, until eventually—through sheer repetition—the idea would morph into something that undeniably became us.
Let’s say that I am a completely new listener, and I have just discovered Elephant Run. Which track should I listen to first? Is there a particular point of entry you would suggest?
Fernando Coelho: ‘We are Heroes’ is a track that really represents us, it has all the qualities we love hearing in other bands. It’s a melodic composition with experimental edges, featuring the extended runtime of the progressive bands we adore. The song takes you through a journey of different textures and sonic landscapes, all within a single track.
Amanda Wahlström Plantin: Honestly, I tailor my song recommendations based on who I’m talking to. Like Coelho, I love ‘We Are Heroes,’ but my personal favourite is actually ‘Copo Sujo’ from our first album. It’s a long track that showcases all our different sides, jazz vibes, playful experimentation, psychedelic rock, plus this heavy, slow section with angry vocals, harmonies, and organ. Not to mention the multilingual lyrics (English, Portuguese, Swedish). Though fair warning: it’s pretty wild and might scare off some listeners, haha!
From ‘Leftover Land’, alongside ‘We Are Heroes’, I’d also suggest ‘Utsålt’. It might not be my all-time favourite, but it sounds like us, that dynamic structure where themes evolve and rhythmic patterns shift. You get Ladis alternating between jazz and rock drumming, Renato’s basslines being both innovative and rock-solid, Coelho’s psychedelic playfulness with those atmospheric details, piano adding organic texture (sometimes stealing bass duties), fully instrumental passages, and vocals that start intimate before spiralling into anxiety. Plus, of course, power chords and that massive rock finale. It’s pure Elephant Run.
How’s the music scene in Brazil? Do you ever get inspired by any fellow bands and artists?
Fernando Coelho: Brazil’s alternative scene is incredibly diverse, but unfortunately, it remains largely underground. Even established artists who inspire us – like Mutantes, Arrigo Barnabé, Cidadão Instigado, Tom Zé, and Boogarins – constantly struggle to sustain their careers. But I believe this challenge isn’t unique to Brazil; it’s a worldwide reality for alternative music.
Artistically speaking, what challenges have the last two years presented you with?
Fernando Coelho: In 2024, we managed to reunite for a small Brazilian tour and record our third album. We’re now working with +UmHits (a new label based in Americana, a city in São Paulo’s countryside). For the first time as an independent band, we actually have some professional support behind us. But with members spread across different states and countries, our biggest challenge remains getting everyone together for shows and other projects.
Amanda Wahlström Plantin: I agree with Coelho—having +UmHits‘ support has been incredible. They made this reunion possible, helping us tour and record again so quickly. We’re truly grateful for that. The biggest challenge now is the uncertainty around when I can next get to Brazil—it depends on so many moving parts. Planning ahead helps, but coordinating an intense month or two together each year around everyone’s separate lives, jobs, and families isn’t simple. Still, we’ve managed before and we’ll do it again. And honestly? We’re starting to appreciate this rhythm—it brings something special to both our creative process and our friendship. So in a way, it’s become part of what makes this work.
What are the next steps for your project? Anything exciting on the horizon?
Fernando Coelho: We’re really excited about how our third album turned out and can’t wait to share it with you soon! We’re already making plans to reunite for another tour, but we’ll keep the details under wraps for now – no spoilers! Don’t want to get everyone’s hopes up too early, haha!
Amanda Wahlström Plantin: Haha, now I’m nervous about spoilers after Coelho’s warning—but I’m genuinely thrilled about this next album. It has all the classic Elephant Run DNA while showing new sides of us, with fresh genres and new approaches to how we work together. I can’t wait to let it out into the world…… and to clear some space to start writing a fourth album.
And of course, we’re pushing hard to make another tour happen soon!
