Ahead of bringing their shape-shifting sound to Detroit, Chicago duo Ray Bull stopped by In The Groove for a conversation about artistic instincts, unlikely influences and the long, winding road that turned two art school classmates into bandmates.

Made up of Aaron Graham and Tucker Elkins, the pair trace much of their creative chemistry back to those early days, saying their visual arts background still informs the way they write, collaborate and build songs together. 

As the pair tried to describe their sound, Graham admitted that finding the right label has never come easily. “Whenever people ask, I’m like, ‘It’s indie pop, indie rock,’ but then I say that and I hate myself.” 

Their sound lives somewhere between folk storytelling, pop melody and rock energy, occupying a space that feels difficult to pin down. Even their vocal chemistry wasn’t something carefully designed from the start. Instead, they say much of the band’s identity slowly developed through years of writing, experimenting and figuring things out together. 

The duo also reflected on the artists who helped shape their approach, citing Elliott Smith, Radiohead and The Strokes while repeatedly returning to folk storytellers like John Prine and Lucinda Williams. More than any specific genre or sound, they described being drawn to writers who can balance humor with emotional specificity, creating songs rooted in personal experiences that still resonate widely.

As Elkins explained, those storytelling instincts often become the foundation for their writing process. “We end up attempting to write from that folk writer space.” 

While their songs may begin with folk instincts and storytelling at their core, Ray Bull’s process seems less focused on fitting into a genre and more concerned with following ideas wherever they lead. It’s an approach that reflects the duo’s journey itself, one built through experimentation, collaboration, and a willingness to let their sound evolve naturally over time. 

Listen to the full interview using the media player at the top, and tune in to In The Groove weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on 101.9 FM.