Freelance Whales can be considered an enigma of sorts, and an intriguing one at that. This is not because of their insanely eclectic collection of instruments, but of their universal appeal. The guys met in a modern way, through Craigslist, but their sound is traditional in the sense that you feel like you’ve known them forever. Their name represents the chaos and struggles that artists endure in New York, which hits close to home for the band, who first performed in subway stations throughout the city. Even though they hail from Queens, outside the Big Apple, they enjoy playing for the Midwest, and are in turn well received here.
What separates Freelance Whales from the rest of the indie-pop world is that they don’t let their quirks define them; they let their music do the work, which is how it should be, right? Every song sounds different than the next, with each set of lyrics so descriptive you feel as if your watching the same vision the band created. Their last album, 2009’s Weathervanes, is intimate and deep but with a laid back sense of fun. Songs like “Hannah” are funky due to the synthesizers and catchy with lyrics like “Hannah takes the stairs and I usually take the elevator, every now and then she offers me a lemon now and later.” “Location” is a bit more acoustically based but with the same comfortable feel, which is why this band is so loveable.
Their new album, Diluvia, drops in early October and they visit Madison’s Redamtè this Saturday, October 6. I was lucky enough to sit down with Chuck Criss, who enlightened Jonk Music on the new album, reasons why the band uses a banjo and glockenspiel, and their tour-mates Geographer.
Your new album, Diluvia, is being released on October 9. What are some notable differences fans should expect from Weathervanes?
“The biggest difference is size. All five of us wrote for this album as opposed to Weathervanes, which was more singular. We’re still using a lot of the same instruments such as banjo, harmonium, glockenspiel, synthesizers, but they were all recorded in a more spacious setting. Weathervanes was very enclosed and small and was made to feel like you were inside of an old house. Our new record Diluvia explores much bigger spaces, in both the lyrics and musicality.”
Your song “Location” was featured in a Miley Cyrus movie, and “Generator ^ First Floor” in an episode of Chuck. How do you feel about your music being used for these particular movies and shows? Have you ever created your music with the intention of it being used for other mediums?
“When you write a song, you have no idea how people will respond to it. One person could like it, or a hundred if you’re lucky. When we get asked to do placements like that, it’s an assurance that someone out in the world has connected with the song emotionally and thinks it will resonate with a particular scene. We don’t intentionally write something with a certain medium in mind, but we do write to communicate an idea that is too hard to put into words. If someone listens and connects with it, that’s all you can ask for.
I understand that you all met in New York; as a fellow New Yorker I’m curious to know how performing in the Midwest compares to the likes of New York. Do you guys have a favorite venue or a place you hope to play at?
“We love playing the Midwest! We’ve played more shows in Chicago than any other city, including New York. The general vibe is smaller crowds, but friendlier and less jaded than New York crowds. When you go on tour, I think it’s important to play both big and small rooms. It keeps you connected. I lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan for a summer. I would love to play at the Blind Pig. I remember reading once that it was Kurt Cobain’s favorite music venue.”
You’re known for your array of instruments. What would you say is your most unique piece and how does it contribute to the band?
“People come up to us after shows and always ask about the harmonium and the banjo. I think in both of those instruments there lies an organic quality that helps balance out all the electric synthesizers and guitars we have on stage. Our goal with any one of our instruments is that it helps offset and balance another instrument on stage.
What are you listening to these days? We’re always on the lookout for new artists; any new discoveries that you’d like to share?
“We’ve been so busy, it’s hard to discover new music. By the time I ‘discover’ something, I’m way late on the game. That being said, the band that’s opening for us on tour, Geographer, are really great. If you haven’t listened to them before, then it’s definitely worth your time.”