A band named after a London Underground station is making music to celebrate the ‘special place’ that London is despite the criticism it receives. Robin Spencer and Chris Anderson are the duo that make up alternative pop folk band Elephants and Castles.
The former teachers learned about their shared love of music in the staff room and started playing together. Chris shared: “We both liked football and had common interests, transport being one of them.”
The pair formed the band in 2011, with their first single debuting in 2014. Chris recalled sitting in a pub in Camberwell with a shortlist of five names and deciding on elephants and castles.
“A lot of our music tells stories,” Chris said. “Our first single Fashanu was about the footballer who tragically took his own life and until now is the only one who opened up about his sexuality while playing.”
The pair have released more music that embraces both of their passions and explores what life is like in London. Their latest release looks at their love of transportation.
Chris said: “In lockdown I came up with a riff and the BPM was 125. It got me thinking, we always talk about trains and have loved traveling to gigs on trains so we decided to write a song about the 125 train in especially since it is an iconic train.
“It’s a love song for the train-spotters. A warm, feel-good, alt-pop hug for those who stand alone with their pockets full of magic numbers.
Chris moved to London 16 years ago and lives in South East London with his wife, whom he met in the area, and two children. He shared: “All our music focuses on London, because it’s a place where so many people come together. The fact that both Robin and I moved here and felt we fit in here, we wanted to write about that.
“It’s a very special place with stories everywhere and so many interesting people. It’s been knocked around a lot but there’s also a lot to celebrate about the city too.”
Their song What’s Left for Larry and Janet looks at the gentrification of Elephant and Castle, following a documentary their friend made about an elderly couple who were forced to move from their old property before it was knocked down. Chris added: “Another of the songs on the EP celebrates all the London architecture that a lot of people don’t like, it’s about Ernő Goldfinger who was a real maverick architect who designed some of the big towers in London.”
The couple strives to celebrate the good sides of the city that are often hidden. They did a lot of gigs pre-Covid and are looking to return to venues in London this autumn with their new music.
You can check out their music here.
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