DEBBIE ELLIOTT, HOST: The breakup of the … Let the jugs of wine get drunk. So yeah, it's a very intense piece for me. NPR’s Debbie Elliott asks former Elephant Revival band member Daniel Rodriguez about his new solo album — two years after Elephant Revival’s final performance and breakup. The breakup of the band Elephant Revival was devastating to folk music fans. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc., an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. Our hearts are beating drums in the wake of the static splash of the sojourn of a burning sun. RODRIGUEZ: You know, this song almost didn't make it on the record just because it's a very vulnerable song. Let the jugs of wine get drunk. ELLIOTT: So take us back to that last show at Red Rocks in Colorado. ELLIOTT: So take us back to that last show at Red Rocks in Colorado. And I had talked to my father, who broke up with my mom when I was younger, and he really consoled me and took me under his arm and said, get into your work. ELLIOTT: The record dotes not only on the heartbreak of losing his band, but also his partner of 14 years, and how Daniel Rodriguez was able to pick himself back up again. The breakup of the band Elephant Revival was devastating to folk music fans. RODRIGUEZ: (Singing) Colorado, I’m headed home. But now fans can rejoice because the band's former guitarist and founder, Daniel Rodriguez, has a new solo album coming out. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SING TO THE MOUNTAIN"). Let the jugs of wine get drunk. As soon as the band ended - actually, even before we played our last show, I started writing and playing solo shows and going on tours and stuff just to give me something to focus on. RODRIGUEZ: Well, the band ended in May of 2018. And probably for that show was the last song, the last bow, the - you know, the last time I would take a bow with that band on that stage - that's probably the moment. ELLIOTT: Let's talk a little bit about the last song on the album, "The Unknown.". RODRIGUEZ: (Singing) Colorado, I'm headed home. We played our last show at Red Rocks, and that was parallel to the ending of a romantic relationship with me and another bandmate. ELLIOTT: So you and your band were together for more than a decade. It's wrapping up a chapter of my life and offering it to those who wish to listen to it. And surprisingly, it's some of my friends' favorite song. And every time I've played it, it stands out. We played our last show at Red Rocks, and that was parallel to the ending of a romantic relationship with me and another bandmate. And I had talked to my father, who broke up with my mom when I was younger, and he really consoled me and took me under his arm and said, get into your work. Daniel Rodriguez is a listener. What was the thinking - what was the impetus for the song? Focus on something, and it will have healing properties within it. RODRIGUEZ: It’s changed me in a lot of ways. RODRIGUEZ: Thank you so much. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, “SING TO THE MOUNTAIN”). The music community here is very nourishing and very supportive, and the natural surroundings are just awesome. And every time I’ve played it, it stands out. Thrown it all to the wind. And so that’s what I did. I'm questioning everything. And each and every time, I stand on the stage, looking out at, you know, 9-, 10,000 people, saying, how are we doing this? Was there a moment that stands out for you? ELLIOTT: You were born and raised in New England, but what is it that makes Colorado home for you? ELLIOTT: Daniel Rodriguez’s new album is “Sojourn Of A Burning Sun.”. RODRIGUEZ: You know, when I was younger, growing up, whenever I would watch a movie or see a car drive by with Colorado license plates, I would just get this awesome feeling. I’m questioning everything. RODRIGUEZ: Well, Red Rocks is a very miraculous place to play in general. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. Copyright © 2020 NPR. As soon as the band ended - actually, even before we played our last show, I started writing and playing solo shows and going on tours and stuff just to give me something to focus on. Boulder Weekly refers to Rodriguez’s voice as “a timeless voice, deep and hearty, weathered but comforting.” With over a decade under his belt as one of the founding members and lead songwriters of the transcendental folk band, Elephant Revival, Rodriguez is well-versed in the Americana tour circuit. Focus on something, and it will have healing properties within it. It’s a natural wonder. It's very raw. Get back into your work. Boulder Weekly refers to Rodriguez’s voice as “a timeless voice, deep and hearty, weathered but comforting.” With over a decade under his belt as one of the founding members and lead songwriters of the transcendental folk band, Elephant Revival, Rodriguez is well-versed in the Americana tour circuit.