Battle Elf. Romeo Okwara

Battle Elf

Musical collective

Battle Elf is a musical collective with a revolving lineup of sonic wanderers, formed in Detroit by guitarist Gretchen Gonzales. The name itself is a blend of ancient and modern—”Gonzales” traces back to Visigothic origins, combining guntho (battle or war) and alf (elf), creating a fitting moniker for music that channels through Krautrock and deep psychedelia.

Often performing during visual exhibitions, Battle Elf activates space as an immersive, improvisational experience that blurs sight and sound, transforming spaces into living, breathing entities. The performance at Palais de Tokyo features Gonzales alongside guitarist Chris Peters and drummer David Hurley, a frequent configuration of the group.