Shaking Hands With Elvis - Allison Ponthier Strives for a Legacy of Authenticity
Photo by Julian Buchan / Words by Hannah Kozak
From the suburbs of Dallas, Allison Ponthier creates the next chapter of her musical diary with her second EP, Shaking Hands With Elvis. The singer-songwriter combines her modern, personal stories with a classic country feel; it is no wonder she has received praise from outlets like Billboard, Vogue, Vulture, and more.
Shaking Hands With Elvis follows Ponthier as a teenager/young adult coming to terms with her queer identity. “Late Bloomer” most notably shares Ponthier’s realization of how much she was missing before accepting her sexuality. However, she also acknowledges that she is not alone in her experiences and the blissful feeling of non-heteronormative romance was practically worth the wait. Late bloomer / I’m not afraid of you anymore / Late bloomer / Now that I’m awake it was worth the wait, sings Ponthier in the chorus.
Ponthier prides herself in creating music that is true to her and her experiences. The EP’s opening song, “Autopilot,” details Ponthier’s fear of living a repetitive life in fear. She mentions holding on to old fears from school (despite being “old enough to be their teacher”), showing how some old anxieties and habits never seem to leave. Similarly, in the EP’s closing and title track, “Shaking Hands With Elvis,” Ponthier shows her vulnerability in a different way through opening up about the loss of an important person in her life. The ballad, warm-feeling yet somber, has Ponthier’s loved one safe in a world above with Elvis and his “rhinestone angels” taking care of them. She still misses the person despite knowing they are somewhere more peaceful, singing I hope you know you can visit when the bird’s-eye view gets old.
It is undeniable that Ponthier is a dazzling songwriter and visionary. Many musicians aim to be remembered for something specific; music is, much of the time, an extension and legacy of an individual. When asked what she would like to be remembered for, Ponthier stated she is proud of her authenticity and staying true to herself through her music.
“I would really like to be remembered as someone who didn’t let outside influences affect me writing honestly,” began Ponthier. “There’s a lot that goes into everything that I make. The videos take so long, the songs take a long time, there’s a lot of effort and love that goes into it. I really want people to know it’s from me. These are accurate depictions of my life. I’m not trying to impress certain groups of people. This really is a diary in a sense, and if I’m remembered for one thing, it’s never compromising that.”
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