Musical pairings of rock and pop, R&B and funk, hip-hop and soul have always brought a blend of uniqueness and edge to a rather dry musical landscape. Fusing genres and various musical distinctions brings about a new form, taking on new steps within the evolution of sound. Enter in a band with such distinction and musical fervor that this very fusion is needed to give the listener a general 'idea' of its difference. J.Benjamin Kesler, Russ Mohr, and brothers Luke and Mark DeJaynes, who make up the acoustic-pop/neo-soul sound of Fundamental Elements, have discovered the inimitable formula that makes them and their performance breathe new life into music itself.
Currently based in St. Louis, their musical alliance begins at Greenville College in Greenville, Illinois where Kesler and Mohr were students. Each were involved in separate bands at the time, but they soon decided to collaborate for a 'side project' to see what would come of it. As the two began testing the waters with different styles and sounds, they developed a musical partnership that would soon prove to be more than just an experiment. In 2004, Kesler's college roommate Luke DeJaynes and his brother Mark were added to the band to fill out a high-energy, loaded-with-talent rhythm section.
Upon the formation of the new project (then called "Fundamentals"), Kesler and Mohr recorded and self-produced two unreleased EP's, and finally released their first full album 'Birth Of A Brand New Me' in the Fall of 2003. In the Fall of 2005, the band officially changed it's name to "Fundamental Elements," and released a new LP entitled 'Untied'. Taking direction and influence from a wide range of artists like D'Angelo, Jack Johnson, The Roots, Justin Timberlake, and G. Love & Special Sauce, their unique blend of R&B, rock, funk, and pop, just to name a few, brings about a sound that has made audiences stand up and take notice.
Fundamental Elements' musical brilliance is quite evident within their recordings, but it is during their live performance that the real genius emerges. With Mohr's sweet and soulful vocal delivery alongside Kesler's innovative and fresh guitar licks and the DeJaynes brothers' tightly knit jazz/funk rhythms, their raw musical agility takes root displaying their versatility, showing that their talent doesn't merely lie within the console in a studio. Mohr, also a seasoned trumpet player, adds texture and diversity with various horn arrangements scattered throughout both albums.
Currently, Fundamental Elements tour extensively throughout the Midwest and Southeastern United States, averaging 125 dates per year at clubs, festivals and college campuses. Their captivating performances have landed them on the stage with such artists as Bob Schneider, Aslyn, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The John Popper Project, Ozomatli, MC Divinity, Matt Wertz, Will Hoge, Paul Wright, Shawn McDonald and Scratch Track. The band was also voted the "Best Band in St. Louis" by the musicians competing in the 2005 Emergenza Finals. Fundamental Elements have also made strides on the internet, as their first single "Talk To Me" held a top 20 spot on the charts on GarageBand.com. Their singles "Talk To Me" and "Untied" both receive regular radio play on St. Louis FM radio.
With a world seeking fame and notoriety, what it really boils down to for Fundamental Elements is their unabashed love for music. "I love the sound and melodies found in old soul music," shares Kesler. "The music seems to have so much more passion than the common pop song." Fundamental Elements feel that great music is timeless; that it has no boundaries and should be appreciated by people of all demographics. "That's our goal," states Mohr. "To create music that everyone can love."
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