photos by Jim Bennett
A folk-stitched dream pop band is probably the last thing you’d imagine would come out of Queens, New York. Despite the city’s notorious jazz scene, the Freelance Whales found enough inspiration to create an explosion of sensory stimulated music with their self-released debut, Weathervanes (December 2009) (hit single “Generator ^ Second Floor” featured on KEXP’s Song of the Day). Between harmonium, glockenspiel, banjo, synthesizers and waterphone, the five-member bliss band is no doubt making some noise in the music world. Playing on sidewalks, in train stations and at simple New York City venues more often than not, it’s about time the Whales play a proper showcase like SXSW. Check out photos from their set at Gibson Showroom in Austin, wrapping up KEXP’s broadcast during SXSW:
