The Erly is a four-piece band from Niles, Michigan, featuring Fran Gleason (drums, vocals), Trevor McDonald (guitar, vocals), Collin Mattiford (bass, vocals), and Simon Kauffman Hurst (keys). While the band’s core sound hits as an unmistakable blend of jam, soul, and groove, these four musicians have never shied away - albeit via live performance or recorded tracks - from experimenting down a path of finding new avenues to create a unique original identity.

With this flexible dynamic, their upcoming record 'Salem Lights' will highlight what may be the band’s finest work to date. Multiple singles, a music video, mastering from longtime producer Paul Bennett - this 11-track album has intuitive, enigmatic themes alongside rhythmic, precise, clean musical precision. Salem Nights will be available via all streaming platforms on September 4, 2024.

Having played basements to dive bars to festivals to established local venues; in front of every crowd - from release shows with hundreds to humble beginnings with an intimate handful, whether it’s been in Michiana or the dozen-plus other states across the country The Erly has made its mark…Fran, Trevor, Collin, and Simon are primed to continue an upward stride into 2025.

Salem Lights

This album happened by complete accident. We set up our instruments in Fran’s basement—mics and recording gear chaperoned by Paul Bennett—with the mentality of “let’s make some demos and see what happens.” 11 songs came out of nowhere and everything fell into place in real time. No metronome, all the microphone bleed you can get, and the true sound of The Erly working together in their natural state. Produced by Paul Bennett.

Personnel (The Erly)

Collin Mattiford: Bass Guitar, Vocals

Fran Gleason: Drums, Vocals

Trevor McDonald: Guitars, Vocals

Simon Kauffman Hurst: Keyboards

Music and lyrics by The Erly

Production

Produced/Mixed/Engineered by Paul Bennett

Recorded at Sunberb in Crown Point, IN, USA

Mastered by Mike Regan

Published through Dossel Music

Album Design and Layout by Emily Burlew

Photography by Meg Pearson Photo

Management: Kevin Vargo at Mic1park

“55 On The Other Side” music video

Salem Lights WAV/MP3 for radio/download

Track by Track

Lyrics/Credits

The Erly is

Collin Mattiford: Bass;

Fran Gleason: Drums;

Trevor McDonald: Guitars;

Simon Kauffman Hurst: Keyboards.

All songs written by Mattiford/Gleason/McDonald.

Carolina - (3:14) Lyrics and vocal by Collin Mattiford.
The opening track to the album. It’s clear from the first strum of the acoustic guitar that The Erly has taken a new musical direction. “Carolina'“ is about calling out to a person, place, or thing in a time of emotional turmoil.
Sally - (2:41) Lyrics by Trevor McDonald/Fran Gleason. Vocal by Trevor McDonald.
A song about being in a bad situation at the right time. Meaning that, bad people come and go, it's a relief when they finally leave the room. When it leads to repercussions for trying to impress them, a remorse is grown that cannot be forgiven. This is the song that plays in Sally's head, meanwhile the singer is going through utter turmoil. Even though this person has since come and gone, a short moment in time for the singer had a negative impact on their life.
OH10 - (2:56) Lyrics and vocal by Fran Gleason.
(Ohio) came very naturally to us as a band. We wanted to dive deeper into a raw, more stripped-back arrangement that puts the lyrics at the forefront. With Simon on a honky-tonk out-of-tune piano, Collin giving us his best impersonation of a sheriff while playing bass, Trevor with a rootsy guitar solo and lap steel, and Fran on drums and lead vocals, OH10 came together quickly and effortlessly from the first harmony laden chorus to the final jam-out section at the end. It is about being stuck in Ohio - something the band would experience not even a few months after writing the song.
Let It Roll - (3:57) Lyrics and vocal by Collin Mattiford.
A state of mind someone reaches when they near the end of the road. Aside from a slide guitar and some group vocals, this song was all tracked live with the four members. Collin and Trevor switched roles (Collin on acoustic guitar, Trevor on bass) and the lead vocal was Collin’s first take with the whole band. LOTS of microphone bleed. Fun fact - this is the only Erly song (so far) without electric guitar.
Reading The Call - (3:19) Lyrics and vocal by Collin Mattiford.
Recognizing that someone who you used to call a friend has their own agenda. This song had three different acoustic guitars tracked. The most out of any song on the album. Fran removed the snare drum from his drum kit and instead used an orange nesso table lamp (with a strip of gaff tape) as the backbeat of the song. This song quickly became The Erly’s favorite song to start a live show.
Oh Well - (3:36) Lyrics and vocal by Fran Gleason.
Fran was behind the drum kit at rehearsal one day when the melody and lyrics for “Oh Well” came to him out of thin air. Trevor produced the accompanying guitar riff instantly, allowing the song to be recorded within ten minutes. Overtime, the meaning has changed quite a bit, but one thing remains fixed. Sometimes all you can say is, “oh well.” Especially for situations you cannot change or if you are unwilling to make a change.
55 On The Other Side - (3:57) Lyrics and vocal by Collin Mattiford.
The lead single from Salem Lights. An internal need to follow one's path that results in an unusual form of driving. This song originated from a straight forward bass line that was kept on the shelf for months. After some rhythmic changes and lyrical improvisation, the song finally came to be what's on the album. Drew Stolz - frequent 2nd guitarist for The Erly’s live shows - recorded the harmonizing guitar part and 1st guitar solo. 55 is the pinnacle of The Erly’s new sound.
Wreckage - (3:07) Lyrics and vocal by Fran Gleason.
A simple song about a sunrise. Fran wrote this tune about the human experience of learning to ask for help. Dealing with the surge of a storm alone can be impossible, but with even just one other lending hand, you can be pulled from the wreckage.
Gimme A Sign - (4:03) Lyrics and vocal by Collin Mattiford.
A night of intoxication with strange characters. Coming to the conclusion that the only way to escape the madness that surrounds you, is to embrace it. This song features an organ solo by newest member Simon Kauffman Hurst.
L A Time - (4:03) Lyrics by Fran Gleason/Trevor McDonald. Vocal by Fran Gleason.
This was one of the last songs to be written and recorded for the album. it focuses on false idols, internet gurus, and how easy it is to be initiated into the culture. The narrator of the songs is self aware, understanding that he is just one word from broke.
Salem Lights - (4:05) Lyrics and vocal by Collin Mattiford.
A chance encounter with an ex lover forces an individual to consider what he could have against what he has already made for himself. After throwing out a chord progression at random by Simon on keys, this song's entire arrangement and lyrics were written in about 45 minutes. The band took a break from a recording to drink at Sementos in Valparaiso, IN. When they came back to the studio, this song was born.