Louisiana singer/songwriter, Caleb Elliott, released his debut album, Where You Wanna Be, last October. On the album, he is joined by some of the finest names in south Louisiana music, including vocalist Susan Cowsill, bassist Tom Drummond of Better Than Ezra, drummer Doug Belote, fiddler Mitch Reed of BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, and guitarist Sam Broussard of Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys.

Elliott’s songs are slices of love and life, stories of folks looking for their place in this world. Along with his songwriting skills, Elliott plays a mean cello. On “I Would Never” and “Where You Wanna Be,” we hear how well that instrument works with Elliott’s lively voice.

The album was recorded across south Louisiana, at Lafayette’s KRVS studios, Dockside Studios in Maurice and New Orleans’ Fudge Studios — where NOLA’s own Better than Ezra recorded its platinum albums before making the studio open to the public.

Elliott grew up listening to classical music and sacred music, or hymns. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on an orchestra scholarship. However, While in college, his musical palette started incorporating more sounds.

“For the first two years of college, I would just be playing my guitar in my dorm room. I was playing eight hours a day. Before that, I would spend all night, practicing cello then go to the basement to play guitar. I would sleep through classes the next day. It was freeing.” ~ Caleb Elliott

Elliott started what he called “the dorm room sessions,” arranging and recording his material.

[audio:Where You Wanna Be.mp3|titles=Where You Wanna Be|artists=Caleb Elliott]

“Where You Wanna Be” by Caleb Elliott

mp3 courtesy of CD Baby