How do they do it?

Any insight to whether any of the boys are 'trained'? As a musical hack, I have yet to listen to any of the albums and not marvel at the arrangements, harmonies, etc.

I have been reading some articles online, but most of the 'print' I find is dedicated to wherever album/tour/award was current at time of interview, not playing, arranging etc.

As far as I know, they're all self-taught musicians. Guy used to say in interviews that they're not "proper" musicians (i.e. musically trained), but I don't think they would say that now with what they've achieved! From an earlier interview, Guy definitely said that they couldn't read music anyway. Pretty impressive I have to say!

Emma

So they continue to amaze me. Unsure of what is on the radio in Canada, but the stuff here has barely risen above the 3 or 4 chords that started rock music 5 decades ago. No harmonic development, no dynamics and lyrics written by teenage boys it seems.

Bob (father of 5YO Emma who thinks Forget Myself is the best dance tune ever)

To be honest, I rarely listen to the radio, and when I do I listen to BBC radio online! Overall I definitely prefer the UK music scene. And when I have children someday I hope they are little Elbow fans too otherwise they'll just have to put up with hearing it all the time!