As the frontman of seminal American band Eels, E – born Mark Oliver Everett – has released some of the most resonant and cultishly adored indie rock music of all time. Since launching Eels in 1996, E and his rotating cast of compatriots – including Jonathan “Butch” Norton and Kelly “Koool G Murder” Logsdon – have released 14 acclaimed, brilliantly witty albums, among them classics such as their 1996 debut Beautiful Freak, the sprawling double album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations, and 2014’s Top 10-charting The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett.
Born in Virginia but a longtime resident of California, E is known for his sardonic, self-critical lyrical style as well as his bracing sense of humour, which makes many of Eels’ classic records jolting and affirming listens. Blending classic 90s rock sounds with samples, orchestral parts and elements of lounge-pop, Eels have carved out a distinctive sonic identity over the course of their 14 records, with a handful of their songs lending an acerbic, romantic sensibility to various film soundtracks.
This March, Eels are set to look back on their extensive catalogue with limited edition vinyl-only reissues of three classic albums – Hombre Lobo, End Times and Tomorrow Morning – as well as two live sessions, 2019’s Live at Largo and 2021’s KCRW Session. In support of the reissues, they’ll embark on a massive tour of the UK, Europe and North America, with 40-plus dates set for this spring and summer.
Now, it’s your chance to ask E any and all questions you’ve ever wanted to get off your chest: do you want to know about how his songwriting process changed between his early solo records and the beginning of Eels? Do you have a query about his acclaimed documentary, Parallel Worlds, Parallel Lives? Maybe you just want to ask the story behind your favourite Eels track? Whatever it is, he’s here to answer – post your questions below by 10am on 27 February and we’ll ask him the best ones.
