Le Diamant Brut: Freelance Whales & Chief Rival
What’s the Deal: Quirky, capricious and dreamy are all adjectives you could use to describe the music of New York’s Freelance Whales. The five piece experimental folk pop outfit has experience playing in locations ranging from decent sized venues as on their current US tour with Fanfarlo to busking on sidewalks and train stations in New York City. They’ve been very busy since their start in late 2008, and this past August saw the release of their debut album, Weathervanes. It’s comprised of vast, melodic arrangements using everything from harmonium and banjo to glockenspiel and waterphone built up around bright, glittering to eerie choruses.
One of the first songs Postal Service fans might connect with would be “Starring,” which features many of the same keyboard fuzz and chirps of the Ben Gibbard side project. The vocals are similar as well, and the lyrics are as soft as a sure-footed step in the snow with a witty turn of phrase or two. “The Great Estates” is an airy tune punctuated by banjo plucks, organ and a handful of other sounds while warm-yet-wintery vocals drift in on the wind.
Something Interesting: They are playing with Fanfarlo at The Independent at 501 Studios presented by Soundcheck Magazine on Wednesday, December 2nd.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Ghosting” and “Hannah”
Freelance Whales [MySpace]
CHIEF RIVAL
What’s the Deal: Stumbling across this local Austin band is probably the easiest way to discover them. There is only one show listed in their upcoming show section on MySpace and their EP is currently sold out. But, stumble their way, and you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised. They pull off their mix of shoegazy rock and western-influenced, atmospheric and somewhat psychedelic instrumentalism with class and confidence, which is especially impressive taking into account how young they are. Like, high school young.
“Three Coffins” starts with crickets and the music of a balmy evening and builds into guitar and bass thrums in a way that could be the score to a turn-of-the-century western. Then, the instruments spend the next nine or so minutes rising and falling, building and breaking.
What’s The Deal: They’re playing the Mohawk the day before Thanksgiving for the 101X Homegrown Live concert along with Mother Falcon and Hotel Hotel.
Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “On A Broken Horse”
Chief Rival [MySpace]
Filed in Arts & Entertainment and tagged chief rival, freelance whales, lediamantbrut, music