WXPN Radio

The premier guide for new and significant artists in rock, blues, and folk - including NPR-syndicated World Cafe

XPN2 - XPoNential Radio

24/7 Musical discovery. A unique mix of emerging and heritage blues, rock, world, folk, and alt-country artists.

World Cafe Archives

Join the World Cafe through performances and interviews with celebrated and emerging artists.
Listen
  • font size decrease font size decrease font size increase font size increase font size

Freelance Whales - Weathervanes - Freelance Whales

Since forming, the band Freelance Whales have went from busking on street corners to independently releasing their debut album, Weathervanes, to signing a record deal all in just under two years. The five piece band from New York has had no problem garnering attention. Ambition is a big factor but after spending time with their music it's easy to hear what makes Freelance Whales so irresistible.

The story behind the band is compelling. Yet given our generation, a band recruiting and auditioning its members via Craigslist shouldn't be all too surprising. How well the band interacts, however, is. The songs on their debut record are driven with a knack for melody and a youthful excitement. Songs like "Hannah" showcase how endearing and immediate Freelance Whales can be.

For a band so much in the now, the use of more traditional acoustic instrumentation is intriguing. The appearance of banjo and harmonium certainly may cause you to pause, but only for a moment before you're caught up again in their infectious melodies.

While it"s easy to get wrapped up in blogger buzz and all the positive press, Freelance Whales nonetheless deliver both on album and on stage. They’ve emerged rather quickly, yet maintain potential and a wealth of staying power.

listen

Download and Listen to Mike's review.

Or, read the review.