Freelance Whales: BeatCrave Fav

For some reason, we have an affinity with New York bands, and Freelance Whales is one New York band that fits the bill too well. They bring to the table a contrast of light melodic fare in comparison to their deep, introspective lyrics, which, when done well, can make anyone a heavy contender on the indie/experimental scene.

Their brand is a sort of Jimmy Eats World/The Postal Service/Mew mash-up with a previously unrealized electro acoustic quality. Outside of guitar and vocals, they utilize a number of unconventional instruments, including but not limited to a harpsichord, a harmonium, and a glockenspiel. We even detect hints of a banjo as an oft-featured player. It was at this realization in which we punched the air in a momentary burst of glee.

Their debut album, Weathervanes, was released this past summer, and they’ll be touring the better part of the rest of 2009 with London-based indie band, Fanfarlo; they have been noticed on the local scene as much as in the media (check out the videos below), and in the end it’s the sense of  “the local band” as it were that keeps us coming. Check out Freelance Whales below in our BeatCrave Fav series, and if you find yourself drawn to their style  as much as we are, vote for them in Friday’s poll!

Pick of the Day: Freelance Whales

Type: Pop/Experimental/Indie

Label: Unsigned

Band Members:

• Judah Dadone
• Doris Cellar
• Kevin Read
• Chuck Criss
• Jake Hyman

Discography:

• Weathervanes (2009)

Videos:

“Generators (First Floor)”

“Generators (Second Floor)”

“Starring”

Freelance Whales Live in Bedford Ave station (never underestimate waiting for the L)

Freelance Whales Live in Bedford Ave Station (more…)

Photos:

Upcoming Shows:

• 11/11 Triple Rock Club – Minneapolis, MN
• 11/13 Moe’s – Englewood, CO
• 11/14 The State Room – Salt Lake City, UT
• 11/16 The Knitting Factory – Boise, ID
• 11/17 Crocodile Cafe – Seattle, WA
• 11/18 Media Club – Vancouver, BC
• 11/19 Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
• 11/22 Rickshaw Stop San Fransisco, CA
• 11/23 The Echo – Los Angeles, CA
• 11/24 The Casbah – San Diego, CA
• 11/27 Muddy Waters – Santa Barbara, CA
• 11/29 Club Congress – Tucson, AZ
• 11/30 Sante Fe Brewing Co. – Santa Fe, NM
• 12/2 The Independent – Austin, TX
• 12/3 The Loft – Dallas, TX
• 12/4 Walter’s on Washington – Houston, TX
• 12/6 The Bottletree – Birmingham, AL
• 12/9 Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD
• 12/10 Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
• 12/11 Iota Cafe – Arlington, VA
• 12/12 Brillobox Pittsburgh, PA
• 12/14 Majestic Café – Detroit, MI
• 12/15 El Mocambo Club – Toronto, ON
• 12/16 Il Motore – Montreal, QC
• 12/17 T.T. The Bears – Cambridge, MA
• 12/18 Webster Hall – New York, NY

More Info

• Freelance Whales on MySpace
• Freelance Whales on Facebook

This week’s Favs include:

• Little Joy

** Remember to vote in Friday’s BeatCrave Fav poll for your favorite artist!

Past BeatCrave Favs