Raised in an independent-music-loving household and made in the Seattle scene, Elliott Hansen is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, sound artist, and aspiring music teacher. His love and passion for music -making started when he picked up the guitar at age 15, and has since expanded to bass, keys, electronics, and whatever else is around. This passion continues to be sustained by the beauty of collaboration, and the mutually beneficial, exponential joy that grows from sharing in a common interest.
Elliott has studied theory at the University of Washington’s School of Music. Majoring in Ethnomusicology, he has also played and learned with the department's World Music Ensemble, led by visiting artists from Tanzania, Brazil and beyond, who taught traditions and genres like Capoeira, calypso, and gospel music. As a guitarist and bassist, he has experience playing all varieties of music with a host of different collaborators.
As Music Director at Rainy Dawg Radio, Elliott has booked and organized numerous concerts, both virtually and around the Seattle area, with national artists like Yves Tumor and Zola Jesus as well as local favorites like Your Heart Breaks and Power Strip. In addition, he has toured across the West Coast with his solo project Skunk Ape. Elliott’s work consists of contemplative and slow-building ambient music, and abstract, melodic solo guitar arrangements. This work is inspired by the changing of the seasons, and conflicting feelings of smalless and largeness in the face of the world. His first record has been described as “music to watch plants die to.”
As a bandmate, older brother, collaborator or classmate, Elliott's focus always remains on having fun, exploring what feels right, and fostering love and passion in whatever form it may appear, while still pushing everyone to do their best. Outside of music, Elliott enjoys hiking, spending time with cats, and working on handmade crafts.