Posts tagged Noah and the Whale

Band: Noah and the Whale (supported by Nikki Lane)Venue: Lincoln Hall (2424 N. Lincoln)Date(s): Friday, 11/11 AND Saturday 11/12Proof: Video for “Waiting for My Chance to Come”Tickets: $20 here We ran out of time to make this interview work, but I wanted to HIGHLY suggest this show nonetheless. One of my favorite London bands, Noah and the Whale is playing TWO nights in Chicago, tonight and tomorrow at Lincoln Hall. I’m personally very much looking forward to seeing them, so naturally, you should be too. I’ve seen them twice this year, though both times at festivals, so I am beyond excited to see them play in one of my favorite Chicago venues. Tickets are still available for both nights, but will likely sell out any minute so get on it! You could also just read our Lollapalooza Tip Off interview with them and get the basic gist. Basically all you need to know is they are super talented, absolutely adorable and I love them. PLUS, a really sensational up-and-comer, Nikki Lane is opening. Preview her new video for “Sleep For You” here. See you there? Great. | N

Band: Noah and the Whale (supported by Nikki Lane)
Venue: Lincoln Hall (2424 N. Lincoln)
Date(s): Friday, 11/11 AND Saturday 11/12
Proof: Video for “Waiting for My Chance to Come”
Tickets: $20 here

We ran out of time to make this interview work, but I wanted to HIGHLY suggest this show nonetheless. One of my favorite London bands, Noah and the Whale is playing TWO nights in Chicago, tonight and tomorrow at Lincoln Hall. I’m personally very much looking forward to seeing them, so naturally, you should be too. I’ve seen them twice this year, though both times at festivals, so I am beyond excited to see them play in one of my favorite Chicago venues. Tickets are still available for both nights, but will likely sell out any minute so get on it!
You could also just read our Lollapalooza Tip Off interview with them and get the basic gist. Basically all you need to know is they are super talented, absolutely adorable and I love them.

PLUS, a really sensational up-and-comer, Nikki Lane is opening. Preview her new video for “Sleep For You” here.

See you there? Great.

| N

We’re previewing Lollapalooza’s best + brightest! Get the scoop here! Artist: Noah and the WhaleLollapalooza Set: Sunday, August 7th @ 2:30 PM at Bud LightProof: This video of them performing early hit “Five Years Time” is a fabulous example of what to expect at a live show: hand clapping, singing along and lots of joy Strolling around Sasquatch was a good reminder that I don’t know what any one looks like. I was in the company of a thousand great musicians and here was my opportunity to pick their minds, get some scoop or get pregnant with one of their children (just kidding, everyone knows indie musicians don’t make any money and the settlement wouldn’t be worth it). But there was one teeny little problem…everyone looked the same. B and I were pretty sure we would recognize Jeff Tweedy and I could spot any I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Play club members from a mile away, but it usually took seeing them onstage or an introduction to really place these guys and gals. And then, on day four, as Bridie and I were making our way back towards the free vodka ice cream, these five dapper guys in coordinated three-piece suits strolled past us. There was no confusion here: this was Noah and the Whale. For a band unfortunately too often recognized as falling under the radar while fellow London scene-mates like Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling have found immense success, something was beyond evident that day: under the radar they would sit no more. Not to say success hasn’t come their way, only to note that (as usual) America has taken a bit longer to catch on than the UK has. But with a slew of American festival spots, television airplay and a smashing new album, it shouldn’t take long. The new album, Last Night on Earth, is a drastic change to 2009’s The First Days of Spring AKA the soundtrack to lead singer Charlie Fink’s heart cracking into 8 billion pieces. Don’t worry, Fink still gives you lyrics of despair, they are just laid on more upbeat, electronic, feel-good tracks. Though, when I first heard the single “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N”, I was a bit worried myself where this poignant band was heading. At first listen, this felt like a more well written Train song and I feared Noah and the Whale was now creating solely for commercial success. But when the first notes of that song started playing and the crowd went wild as they sang out every single lyric, it became a strong reminder that “toe-tapper” does not equal “sell-out” and now I just can’t get enough of it. Seeing them live was infinite proof that nothing has been lost by adding a little happiness. These boys dominated the stage, putting on a show that couldn’t help but drag people just passing by into their illumination. Even in their cheesiest moments, like on “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N” and “Five Years Time” they are irresistible, possessing a flair for twisting witty words into feel-good melodies. Fink’s straight face and drippy vocals bring a rare intensity and endearing contrast to their music, especially when he’s singing lyrics such as “baby she’s a wild thing…” Still one of the strangest things about this band is the world’s insistence on calling them folk. Even in their most stripped down, intimate numbers, they are still at the core a rock band, reminiscent of groups like Neutral Milk Hotel and Tokyo Police Club. Folk has taken on such a bizarre status in today’s music world, and while I do not completely disown the “folk” ties to Noah and the Whale, I think it’s a discredit to their music and showmanship to pigeonhole them in that way. Or perhaps, it is just a pleasant surprise for people seeing them for the first time. Whether you are a super fan or a first time listener, you will be pleasantly surprised with Noah and the Whale. Fink hits the nail right on the head when (in our interview below) says audience members will feel “anticipation, surprise, joy” at their live show. I thought I was pretty into them, but I left their Sasquatch show a HUGE fan. They are the rare type of band that provides a really beautiful album setting and then a very different but equally as stunning live performance. This Lollapalooza preview was designed to show you the best and the brightest, but Noah and the Whale is the best and the brightest of the best and the brightest. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW. You’re welcome, | N Which Lollapalooza act are you most looking forward to seeing?The Cars Cubs or Sox?Pants or Socks? Describe your live act in five words:Pretty fly for a white guy (“a” doesn’t count as a word) What are the top five songs in your current iTunes 25 most played list?“For your precious love” – Otis Redding “Desire” – Anna Calvi “Run Away” – Joan Jett “Cuccuruccu Paloma” – Alberto Inglesias “Under Cover Of Darkness” – The Strokes How do you feel about blaming the O’Leary cow for the Chicago fire?I think the O’Leary cow has a lot to answer for.    What will you drink onstage?Water What is your favorite festival memory?Latitude Festival 2010 What three emotions are the audience members guaranteed to feel at your show?Anticipation, Surprise, Joy

We’re previewing Lollapalooza’s best + brightest! Get the scoop here!

Artist: Noah and the Whale
Lollapalooza Set: Sunday, August 7th @ 2:30 PM at Bud Light
Proof: This video of them performing early hit “Five Years Time” is a fabulous example of what to expect at a live show: hand clapping, singing along and lots of joy

Strolling around Sasquatch was a good reminder that I don’t know what any one looks like. I was in the company of a thousand great musicians and here was my opportunity to pick their minds, get some scoop or get pregnant with one of their children (just kidding, everyone knows indie musicians don’t make any money and the settlement wouldn’t be worth it). But there was one teeny little problem…everyone looked the same. B and I were pretty sure we would recognize Jeff Tweedy and I could spot any I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Play club members from a mile away, but it usually took seeing them onstage or an introduction to really place these guys and gals.
And then, on day four, as Bridie and I were making our way back towards the free vodka ice cream, these five dapper guys in coordinated three-piece suits strolled past us. There was no confusion here: this was Noah and the Whale.
For a band unfortunately too often recognized as falling under the radar while fellow London scene-mates like Mumford and Sons and Laura Marling have found immense success, something was beyond evident that day: under the radar they would sit no more.
Not to say success hasn’t come their way, only to note that (as usual) America has taken a bit longer to catch on than the UK has. But with a slew of American festival spots, television airplay and a smashing new album, it shouldn’t take long.
The new album, Last Night on Earth, is a drastic change to 2009’s The First Days of Spring AKA the soundtrack to lead singer Charlie Fink’s heart cracking into 8 billion pieces. Don’t worry, Fink still gives you lyrics of despair, they are just laid on more upbeat, electronic, feel-good tracks. Though, when I first heard the single “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N”, I was a bit worried myself where this poignant band was heading. At first listen, this felt like a more well written Train song and I feared Noah and the Whale was now creating solely for commercial success. But when the first notes of that song started playing and the crowd went wild as they sang out every single lyric, it became a strong reminder that “toe-tapper” does not equal “sell-out” and now I just can’t get enough of it.
Seeing them live was infinite proof that nothing has been lost by adding a little happiness. These boys dominated the stage, putting on a show that couldn’t help but drag people just passing by into their illumination. Even in their cheesiest moments, like on “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N” and “Five Years Time” they are irresistible, possessing a flair for twisting witty words into feel-good melodies. Fink’s straight face and drippy vocals bring a rare intensity and endearing contrast to their music, especially when he’s singing lyrics such as “baby she’s a wild thing…”
Still one of the strangest things about this band is the world’s insistence on calling them folk. Even in their most stripped down, intimate numbers, they are still at the core a rock band, reminiscent of groups like Neutral Milk Hotel and Tokyo Police Club. Folk has taken on such a bizarre status in today’s music world, and while I do not completely disown the “folk” ties to Noah and the Whale, I think it’s a discredit to their music and showmanship to pigeonhole them in that way. Or perhaps, it is just a pleasant surprise for people seeing them for the first time.
Whether you are a super fan or a first time listener, you will be pleasantly surprised with Noah and the Whale. Fink hits the nail right on the head when (in our interview below) says audience members will feel “anticipation, surprise, joy” at their live show.
I thought I was pretty into them, but I left their Sasquatch show a HUGE fan. They are the rare type of band that provides a really beautiful album setting and then a very different but equally as stunning live performance.
This Lollapalooza preview was designed to show you the best and the brightest, but Noah and the Whale is the best and the brightest of the best and the brightest. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW.

You’re welcome,

| N

Which Lollapalooza act are you most looking forward to seeing?
The Cars

Cubs or Sox?
Pants or Socks?

Describe your live act in five words:
Pretty fly for a white guy (“a” doesn’t count as a word)

What are the top five songs in your current iTunes 25 most played list?
“For your precious love” – Otis Redding
“Desire” – Anna Calvi
“Run Away” – Joan Jett
“Cuccuruccu Paloma” – Alberto Inglesias
“Under Cover Of Darkness” – The Strokes

How do you feel about blaming the O’Leary cow for the Chicago fire?
I think the O’Leary cow has a lot to answer for.  
 
What will you drink onstage?
Water

What is your favorite festival memory?
Latitude Festival 2010

What three emotions are the audience members guaranteed to feel at your show?
Anticipation, Surprise, Joy