My first interview? with the next big thing?

Last weekend I went out to a concert to see a friend's band play at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Two of the guys in the band were from my year in college, and I think it would be fair to say I was friends with one of them, but didn't really keep in touch after college. I'm starting off this post, because it felt like this was just another show I would see the highly talented Judah Dadone perform, and run into another band member's girlfriend and see some other friends from college I failed to keep in touch with since we graduated a few years ago. My casual nature is completely unjustified as these up-and-comers Freelance Whales have been tipped by many over the last six months to be the "next big thing."


I was a little apprehensive about what they would be like live, because their unique sound and multiple pieces of instruments often are hard to translate on stage, and a friend saw them in nyc live many months ago and didn't love them... but I will say the show I attended last weekend put all of those concerns to bed! A very enjoyable live show, it was sad they were only the first opener. They really started getting into a great groove with their fourth-to-last song, "Ghosting" and for me it was at that moment Doris stepped into a more prominent role singing a more leading role alongside Judah that really piqued my interest. From that point, I think they killed it for the latter half of their show and finished a really fun concert!

So they are really just getting bigger and bigger by the day, so I was cool being able to "hang out" in their private room (my attempt to make fun of myself). Taking a beer from their rider (a contract rider is what the band requests at each show i.e. stage design, to have certain M&M's backstage, etc) it was really interesting and endearing to hear Judah casually talk about the everyday struggles and hope for a small band just starting to "make it." It is really cool to see a band start from nothing (even playing for commuters at the Bedford stop in Brooklyn NYC) and grow and translate their underground nature and sound to love stricken teenagers and indie enthusiasts alike.

True to Judah and Jake's (the drummer) modesty and down-to-earth attitude, these kids stay on friend's couches/floors as much as possible traveling to each city. They spent a short time in London (and this was their first show back!) killing themselves to spread the good word about their music, and Judah said they literally played about four times a day! Seems a long ways away from their start (similar to Postal Service, a band they are often unjustly compared to) sending out different samples and forming their band without knowing too much about one another. Somehow, it works.

Freelance Whales strike a balance to being very experimental (honestly, what does that even mean?) and and putting out a few catchy songs that make you want to sing along to. They bringing into play guitars, banjos, drums and tambourines among other percussion instruments, harmonium... and to top it all of a fun glockenspiel. Take one of their more popular songs for example, Generator Second Floor which highlights these elements of a lovely acoustic but layered and complex sound. They all sing at different times throughout the show and their songs, which makes the experience much more interactive and lends it a chorus-like feel. Often, they demonstrate a certain playfulness from Judah's singing, say in another popular song, "Hannah" which some critics might complain about their lyrical quality.

Don't write them off as another hipster phase to come out of Williamsburg. Yes, their debut album Weathervanes has JUST got reviewed by the Rolling Stone, they have a song recently on ABC's Grey's Anatomy and currently they are performing at SXSW in Austin so you might say they've "arrived" and should no longer consider being up-and-comers. False.

Only time will tell if they can grow into a big group with more serious lyrics to complement their musical chops or remain indie darlings of the moment. My personal opinion (and hope) is that they will play more in the venues that could cultivate the diverse musician-ship from their recording to be heard the way it can fully be appreciated, and continue to develop their sound and push the boundaries of their styles. I probably referenced "growth" too much on this post, but Freelance Whales have serious potential to realize! I'm really looking forward to their return to DC on May 2 @ the 930 club, will you make the show? Watch out for these kids!