Jade Elephant – Written Interview
“Barracuda” (Heart Cover) – 2026
The New Single
1. “Barracuda” is one of the most iconic rock songs ever written. What inspired Jade Elephant to take on such a legendary track?
We decided to take on Barracuda after playing it live with Kate Stevens, quickly realizing the chemistry between the band and her!
2. Covering a song that’s so well known can be intimidating. Did you ever hesitate before deciding to record it?
Definitely, Barracuda is a complex arrangement with time signature changes, and all parts are extremely specific. We really worked it out first live before even considering laying it down in the recording studio.
3. Rather than simply recreating the original, what did you want to bring to the song that makes it unmistakably Jade Elephant?
We had to adapt the parts from the original to 3 instruments, and we bumped up the tempo slightly. There are little fills that are different, otherwise we tried to stay true to the original while adding a little bit of modernity to the sound.
4. How did you decide which elements of Heart’s original to preserve and where to put your own stamp on it?
With Barracuda the iconic bits are fairly obvious, the riffs and guitar/bass unison lines, so we definitely needed to keep those but anytime we felt there was a moment that we could re-interpret our own way we went for it.
Working with Kate Stevens
5. Bringing in Kate Stevens was a fantastic choice. How did that collaboration come about?
We have all backed up Kate Stevens in her band, so it was a no-brainer to have Kate join us live to try out Barracuda.
6. What did Kate bring to the recording that elevated the finished version?
Kate’s vocals speak for themselves, and some of the improvised lines she leant to the recording as well brought the recording to a whole new height.
7. Was recording together a straightforward process, or did the arrangement evolve as everyone contributed ideas?
We had the arrangement set in stone prior to heading to the recording studio so we could do the whole thing in one continuous take while we filmed the music video simultaneously.
Keeping Rock Alive
8. You’ve spoken about keeping rock music “human and real.” What does that philosophy mean to Jade Elephant in today’s music industry?
In a world where we’ve relied on digital correction for the past couple of decades and as we lean forward into the new world of generated music, Jade Elephant is working hard to keep everything live, without a click and human. At the end of the day, humans enjoy art because other humans create it and it isn’t perfect, and that’s what Jade Elephant is, warts and all.
9. Modern rock often balances polished production with raw energy. How do you maintain that live intensity in the studio?
It comes down to having strong audio sources from our instruments, committing to tone and sound and having great engineers to work with, like the engineer on this track Josh Rob Gwilliam.
10. Do you think audiences are reconnecting with guitar-driven rock, or has it always been there waiting for the spotlight again?
Guitar seems to have taken a backseat since the early 2000’s, but now it feels like it’s having a revival and we are glad to be a part of that with Mitchell’s prowess on his instrument.
Recent Momentum
11. It feels like things have been moving quickly for Jade Elephant, with “Anymore” followed almost immediately by “Barracuda.” Was releasing music this close together always part of the plan?
Our plans shift depending on the general philosophy we are following at any given time. With some huge support slots this summer with Angine de Poitrine, Collective Soul, Sam Roberts Band and Default alongside headlining spots at Westerner Days (Red Deer, AB), Big Four Roadhouse (Calgary Stampede) and touring we decided to deliver a 1-2 punch with Anymore and then Barracuda. Both are so different and give a varied perspective on the band.
12. Does this run of singles hint at a larger project, or are you enjoying releasing songs one at a time?
Barracuda is a stand-alone project, but Anymore is the first single from our upcoming second full-length album!
Recognition
13. Winning “Rock Recording of the Year” and receiving a Western Canadian Music Award nomination must have been a huge milestone. How did those achievements impact the band?
Yes, huge milestones for us. We were extremely grateful to be nominated, let alone win the YYC award. It really gave us the permission to continue doing what we’re doing with some newfound confidence.
14. Has that recognition changed your confidence or approach when writing new material?
It encouraged us to continue down the path we are walking, which was an amazing feeling. We are always evolving as musicians and writers, so that will continue, regardless if award nods continue to come our way. But the recognition was definitely very important to help us feel like we are on the right track.
Live Shows
15. Your live performances have earned a strong reputation. What’s the one thing you want someone to remember after seeing Jade Elephant live for the first time?
We want people to come on a journey with us the same way that our sets are a map-less journey for us, with the set list changing every night. We keep certain sections of songs completely open and improvised so we can feel fresh every show, and we believe the audience has come to expect that from us. Nothing feels better than hearing that someone comes back to see us because they want to see what we do for the next show.
16. Do you think “Barracuda” will become a permanent fixture in your live set?
Only on special occasions when Kate is available, we like to keep it a surprise!
17. Are there any songs that are particularly exciting—or particularly challenging—to perform on stage?
Bad Thing, our lead single from our previous album, is always an epic journey. We really open up the solo section and let ourselves explore to end the show. Everytime it is different and sometimes we do things we didn’t know we were capable of!
Songwriting
18. When writing original music, does one member usually bring the initial idea, or is everything built collaboratively?
We’ve developed our process since our last record to be completely collaborative. Every member has a voice and a say, and all of us have contributed riffs, chords, lyrics, melodies and arrangements. It is a beautiful thing working with three people who can operate diplomatically with a shared vision.
19. What inspires your songwriting outside of music?
We spend a lot of time developing the concepts behind the songs so when we are playing the music we feel a certain way from stories we’ve heard, experiences we have had or sometimes just a feeling.
20. Has your sound evolved naturally over time, or has there been a conscious effort to push yourselves creatively?
Both, we have taken steps to push ourselves and develop new ideas creatively but have also just tightened up over time by playing tons of shows and working together as much as possible.
Looking Ahead
21. What can fans expect from Jade Elephant over the rest of 2026?
They can expect some more new music, more show and who knows what else is around the corner!!
22. Are you currently working toward a full-length album, an EP, or simply following wherever the songs lead?
Full-length album to follow up our debut LP!
Fun Questions
23. If you could cover any other classic rock song, what would it be—and why?
That’s a hard one, we have covered quite a few… We would want to do another collaboration with another artist if we were to record another one. We’d have to mull on that!
24. Which artist or band would be your dream touring partner?
We just had the good fortune of opening for Angine De Poitrine fo two shows, if we could do more shows with them that would definitely be a dream come true.
25. If someone had never heard Jade Elephant before, which original song would you recommend they listen to first?
The first record (self-titled) is sequenced in a way that we thought would be the perfect way for a new listener to work through our material. Starting with That Much is Clear, which is often a first song when we play live, which showcases the songwriting from the band and then brings the full electric sound PUNCH!
26. What’s one album every aspiring rock musician should own?
-Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars – David Bowie
Closing
27. Looking back on everything the band has achieved over the past couple of years, what are you most proud of?
We are the most proud of how we’ve grown together as bandmates and friends, and the fact that we get to do this for a living. We are so excited for the future together.
28. Finally, do you have a message for everyone who’s been supporting Jade Elephant and discovering your music for the first time?
We really appreciate all of the support from fans and new listeners alike, we love to hear from you because it means the world to us. Just one person sharing a song of our’s makes a difference, especially in today’s music industry. Rock music is coming back in a big way, thanks to the fans!!
