For a band five albums into its career, complacency would have been easy. The Elovaters had already established themselves as one of the most successful acts in the modern reggae rock landscape, building a loyal fanbase through relentless touring, infectious melodies, and a sound that blended coastal grooves with pop sensibilities. But when it came time to make Shark Belly Motel, frontman Jackson Wetherbee and company were looking for something more.
They found it in producer Jon Joseph.
Known throughout the Southern California music scene for his work behind the board and his recent involvement with Sublime’s resurgence, Joseph brought a fresh perspective to The Elovaters’ creative process. The result is Shark Belly Motel, a record that feels simultaneously expansive and focused, pushing the band’s sound into new territory while preserving the authenticity that got them there in the first place.
“It’s always kind of the same thing,” Wetherbee says of the band’s approach to making records. “We’re just trying to outdo the last album, better songwriting.”
That pursuit of growth led the band west to Joseph’s studio in San Pedro, California, where they discovered a producer whose methods were anything but conventional.
“He just gets really interesting sounds,” Wetherbee explains. “It’s like a mix of very organic and very out of the box ways to do things. There’s not a lot of super high mics, extremely isolated. It was a lot more natural feel in the studio.”
That emphasis on feel over perfection became one of the defining characteristics of Shark Belly Motel. While many modern records are assembled piece by piece with surgical precision, Joseph’s approach encouraged spontaneity and instinct.
The producer’s influence extended far beyond engineering decisions. Wetherbee credits Joseph with helping the band simplify arrangements and trust their instincts, rather than endlessly tweaking songs in search of perfection.
“He’s really good at knowing what the song needs in certain areas,” Wetherbee says. “There’s not quite as much fat you have to trim at the very end. A lot of those decisions, like, ‘Is there too much going on here?’ There wasn’t quite as much of that. He has a really good ear and mind for just like, ‘It sounds good now. I don’t think we need to mess with it.'”
The chemistry between producer and band was immediate. Joseph’s laid back personality helped create an atmosphere where creativity flowed naturally.
“You never feel uncomfortable ever being in the studio with him,” Wetherbee says. “He makes you feel comfortable. He’s like your cheerleader and your producer at the same time. He’s always jumping around, making us laugh, always has really good ideas for a section.”
That energy is embedded throughout Shark Belly Motel. Songs like “Bills to Pay” carry massive sing along choruses, while tracks such as “Pockets Full of Sand” and “Jean Jacket” showcase the band’s willingness to explore outside the traditional boundaries of reggae rock. Rather than forcing a specific style, Joseph encouraged the group to follow wherever the songs naturally led.
“Honestly, it’s just about whatever the song calls for,” Wetherbee says. “Everybody in the band is pretty eclectic for what we listen to. If a song is calling for it, we’re not afraid to go down whatever avenue that’s bringing us.”
That freedom may be the album’s greatest strength. Shark Belly Motel doesn’t sound like a band chasing trends or trying to fit neatly into a playlist category. It sounds like a band discovering new dimensions of itself.
Five albums in, The Elovaters are still evolving. And thanks in large part to Jon Joseph’s guidance, they may have just delivered the most ambitious and fully realized record of their career.
Watch the full interview with Jackson Wetherbee Below!
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