I wasn’ t in love with the songs.
As the Lord would have it, the first worship album I truly connected with- where I loved both the music and the worship- was a Jesus Culture album. Fast forward a few years, and I found myself playing with that very team. Once I joined, there was definitely a sense of responsibility to try and fill Jeffrey’ s shoes, who had shaped so much of their guitar sound. Since then, Kim has encouraged me to bring more of myself to the table- and that’ s meant a lot. While I definitely have my influences, I try to make room for my own sound.
One album that’ s stuck with me is the Jesus Culture Live in New York album( with Martin Smith). The textures, hooks, and guitar tones on that one still inspires me. Another would be Live at the Knight by John Mark McMillan- that counts as a worship album, right? Haha. Either way, I love everything he does. That record really captures the emotion and energy of the room, and I still go back to it often.
[ WM ] Do you have any endorsements with guitar or gear companies? If so, please tell us about them.
[ Eli ] I don’ t have any official endorsements, but over the years I’ ve built some great relationships that have led to trying out gear I really love. On one tour, my in-ears broke and a friend recommended Alclair. They got me in that same week for molds at their Nashville spot, and later I toured their Minnesota HQ and met the owner. I’ ve been using their IEMs ever since- they’ re super comfortable and sound great.
Another one is Pinstripe Pedals. Charlie, who runs it, has become a good friend and is always sending me things to try. His DISO + is easily my favorite DI box- I bring it to every gig, especially when I’ m running amp modelers direct. So, no official endorsements, but I’ ve definitely been blessed by the connections I’ ve made and the gear that’ s come through those relationships. I kind of prefer it that way.
[ WM ] Outline your“ live” rig on stage for us. Guitars, amps, pedalboard?
[ Eli ] These days, especially when traveling, my live rig is pretty dialed for consistency and convenience. I usually run my guitar into a pedalboard, straight into a stereo pair of TONEX pedals loaded with captures of my favorite amps, and then out through the Pinstripe Pedals DISO +. That combo has been rock solid- great tone, super portable, and no surprises.
For guitars, I rotate between a few favorites depending on the project. My main one is a Veritas Mini Master Custom- one of the early models, actually got this from Jeffrey back in the day. I also love playing my Gretsch White Falcon, an older J Mascis Jazzmaster( with the rosewood fretboard), and a USA Tele from the early 2000s that just feels right. For acoustic sets, which I’ ve been doing more of, I reach for my Martin OM-28. That lineup covers a lot of ground and gives me the tones I need without overthinking it.
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