Photo by Alaina Brown

Two Nashville artists have come together as a new Americana duo that goes by the name ELDR. The pair is husband and wife Jameson Elder and Hanna Rae, and they have just released a five-song EP titled “Nowhere Else to Go.” Alas, it took the seclusion of the Pandemic for the two to finally make a recording that merges their musical talents together.

“This project really started to just see if we could do music together,” says Elder. “As a married couple with individual careers, that can be a bit tricky. We have both had careers as individual artists, but this is our first true collaborative project despite being together for almost eight years!”

Well, there is magic in vocalizing of this duo and the result is a gentle and delightful Pop-Folk sound. Give a listen to this live take of “My Love Looks Good on You” from the EP. Thanks Jameson and Hanna for answering these 11 Questions times two! Hope to see you play in town together soon!

Where are you from originally, when did you move to Nashville and why?

Jameson: I’m from John’s Creek, GA, a suburb outside of Atlanta. I moved in 2007 to go to Belmont University to study music business and music production and give the whole music thing a shot.

Hanna: I’m from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, a little town called Staunton. I made the move to Nashville in 2011 after a brief visit in the summer of 2010. I knew the minute I stepped foot onto the pavement that it was where I wanted to be. The music, the energy and the people are unparalleled.

What are the first and the last records you bought, and where did you buy them? Were they CD, vinyl or digital?

Jameson: I think I bought a cassette of The Beach Boys: Greatest Hits when I was a kid. But I don’t remember actually buying it, but just listening to it! I think the first CD I bought was DC Talk – Greatest Hits. Most recent? The last record I bought was Katie Pruitt’s Expectations on vinyl.

Hanna: In true ’90s kid form, the first record I remember buying was The Spirit Room by Michelle Branch. I bought it from the local music store in Staunton, Crossroads. The last record was a vinyl purchase, Phoebe Bridgers’ Stranger in the Alps. I got it from my favorite record shop in town, Grimey’s.

First and last live concerts that you’ve seen?

Jameson: First was a Beatles cover band called The Roaches. I was probably five or six. Most recent was Jesse Isely, my old roommate, at a great little venue in Nashville called Dee’s.

Hanna: Also, in true ’90s kid form, my first concert was *NSYNC. Most recent concert was a night at the Grand Ole Opry.

Whose star should be added to the Music City Walk of Fame?

Jameson: Jason Isbell.

Hanna: Drew Holcomb.

Where do you go in Nashville for coffee and pizza?

Jameson: Coffee is a tie between Dose in Inglewood and Gram’s in Madison. Pizza is always Five Points Pizza.

Hanna: Crema for coffee, DeSano for pizza.

What’s your favorite record to ever come out of Nashville?

Jameson: Ever? Oh man, I don’t know that I can pick. Jason Isbell’s Southeastern has to be up there, so does Katie Pruitt’s Expectations. But the winner for me might be Land of the Living by Matthew Perryman Jones. I had that record on repeat for almost two years straight.

Hanna: I have to go with Good Light by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors. Our first dance was to “The Wine We Drink,” so that record will always hold a special place.

Where’s the best place to eat late night after a show?

Jameson: Dino’s.

Hanna: Don’t judge me but isn’t Taco Bell the only answer?

The Bluebird calls and asks you to host an “In the Round.” Pick three local songwriters to join you.

Jameson: I mean, I kind of have to pick Hanna, so there are two spots. Andrew Osenga and Matthew Perryman Jones.

Hanna: I guess I will also pick Jameson, especially since he knows the guitar parts to all of our songs. My favorite rounds are always with my closest friends, so I would ask Brittany Hadley and her husband Dan to join us.

What are your favorite music venues to play in town?

Jameson: The Basement. Hands down.

Hanna: I echo The Basement. I’ve also very much enjoyed playing at City Winery.

Name a musician who you’d like to see move here?

Jameson: McCartney?

Hanna: Ingrid Michaleson. A collaboration with Ingrid is at the top of my bucket list.

Finally, what’s in your musical future?

Jameson: Our first EP together came out on October 29. Now that that’s out, we’ll see! We love making music together and as individuals, so the next project will probably depend on what songs we write.

Hanna: Now that we’ve found our groove combining two very different styles, I’m looking forward to creating more, “hopefully” touring more, and releasing new songs year after year. I’m so excited about the sound that we’ve found.