Renowned for their electrifying and experimental live performances and signature indie rock and folk blend, Illiterate Light — made up of members Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran — has toured with acts like Mt. Joy and Rainbow Kitten Surprise and gained a cult following due to their unique and exciting stage presence and psychedelic Americana sound, filled with folksy influence and mixed with synth and fuzz.
The two met as students at James Madison University in 2010 but did not form the band until five years later while working together on an organic farm just outside of Harrisonburg, Va. Their latest album, “Arches” — which was released Nov. 1 — returns to the band’s origins, as part of it was recorded in the band’s home studio in rural Virginia. The rest was recorded on the other side of the country at Hollywood’s Sunset Sound, the legendary studio where albums for history’s iconic bands like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Rage Against the Machine and Paramore were produced.
Gorman said that their home studio in small-town Appalachia has a homey and organic feel, which is the complete opposite of the Los Angeles chaos that surrounds Sunset Sound. According to Gorman, this contrast was not lost on the band, adding that “smashing” the elements of both environments together was a key part of the production of “Arches,” allowing them the space to experiment and try new things.
“What is it like when you put two things that are opposites together?” Gorman said. “Because that’s kind of part of being a duo.”
To Gorman, “Arches” is an exploration of the duality that is central to the band’s philosophy, including the decision to record an album in two bi-coastal studios that are very different atmospherically. This theme of duality is at the core of every aspect of Illiterate Light’s music, from their collaboration as a two-piece ensemble to their unlikely combination of genres.
“We wanted that creative comfort, but [we] also wanted to do something that pushes [us] and gets [us] out of [our] box,” Gorman said. “We’re always trying to find that balance and sweet spot, how you can have a touch of home and a touch of travel — a little security and safety, but also growth.”
Gorman said the band finds its inspiration in anything and everything, and the music on “Arches” is all the better for it. This sense of boundless influence is evident in the wide variety of themes and stories explored throughout the album.
For example, while the opening track of the album, “Payphone,” tells the story of a phone call shrouded in desire for comfort and encouragement. “Montauk,” the fourth track, is based on Gorman’s favorite movie, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” The sixth track, “Norfolk Southern,” then draws inspiration from a real-life catastrophe, describing a 2023 Ohio train derailment that released 10,000 gallons of hazardous materials into the atmosphere.
The album operates as a collection of songs, telling more than just one story. “We were exploratory”, Gorman said, describing the nine-track album as its own universe. “It’s nine little planets, and you're traveling from planet to planet.”
Gorman said that Illiterate Light is gearing up to take this free-form energy captured in the studio and implement it into their set for their Friday show at the Jefferson Theater.
“When we get out in front of people I just feel like an animal. I just wanna jump around and go crazy, ” Gorman said. “When people come and see these songs live, they're going to get a different experience.”
Known for their uniqueness and spontaneity, it is hard to know what to expect at an Illiterate Light show. Gorman said that Cochran occasionally plays the drums standing up, and at one show, he jumped into the audience and began crowd surfing during “Light Me Up” — an unexpected moment that became a beloved part of the band’s performances.
This distinctive style and experimental performances have propelled Illiterate Light into the spotlight, with sold-out shows and nearly fifty thousand monthly listeners on Spotify. Gorman said that for other college bands wanting to follow in their footsteps, the key to perfecting a live set is to just keep playing live.
“My advice for people is that if you’re making music that translates well to playing live, go play live,” Gorman said. “The first show we ever played together was an open mic. 10 years later, we’ve played Lollapalooza, we've played Bonnaroo, we have records out. Get out in front of people and really expose yourself. You will find yourself and you will find your people.”
Although it may be hard to imagine, Illiterate Light started out just like every other local band here in Charlottesville.
“We’ve been playing there ever since we’ve formed our band”, Gorman said. “We used to play bar gigs, like at the Whiskey Jar on the Downtown Mall, working for tips, and we fell in love with the mall and the city.”
At the upcoming concert, attendees can expect bigger production, a new light show and even more of the unplanned dynamic moments that make Illiterate Light such an exciting band to see in person.
“On this record we’ve really stepped up what we're doing,” Gorman said. “It's a completely different experience live.”
Charlottesville will have the opportunity to see this difference for themselves next week when Illiterate Light takes the stage at the Jefferson Theater Nov. 8.
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