The Pink Elephants was founded in 2015 by Ottawa-based musician Peter McNestry.
In a 2016 interview, Peter explained how the band began: “I contacted some musicians in Greece who I had worked with in the past and proposed the idea of creating a shoe gaze project. We all really liked bands like My Bloody Valentine, Ride, Slowdive, and Spacemen 3. We’re an internet-based band — I’m based in Canada, and my bandmates, Art and Mellow Lizard, are based in Greece.”
The group released several albums, beginning with their 2016 debut, Liquid Illusions. After a lineup change, Peter continued performing solo under The Pink Elephants moniker, collaborating with smaller groups of musicians as needed.
On his latest EP, Mothers of the Sun, Peter teamed up with guitarist Isaiah Mitchell of the instrumental psychedelic rock band Earthless, and Sean Curran of the San Francisco-based supergroup The Stalwart Lovers. Cristin Heck, lead singer of Vancouver’s Elsinore, lent her vocals to the track “Mother Sun Rises.”
Peter is also active with his other project, Blakkr Nið. His concept album, based on the life and work of 1980s NYC street artist Richard Hambleton, was featured as the soundtrack for a two-week exhibitionof Hambleton’s work in Hong Kong.
In this Apt613 x The Record Centre x Talking Albums episode, Peter shares stories behind his projects and talks about some special albums.
Talking Albums is a series created by John McDonald, now in collaboration with Apartment613, where musicians share six albums that shaped their lives and creative journeys — from first records to timeless favourites. Born during lockdown as a way to stay connected through music, the series has since grown into a video project featuring artists from everywhere. For Apartment613, the spotlight is on Ottawa-region musicians: you’ll find their stories and sounds on Apt613’s YouTube channel, celebrating local talent, community, and the music that brings us together.
Musicians who would like to participate can find more information at talkingalbums.ca.
