Freelance Whales at El Rey

The indie rock band Freelance Whales, had an surprisingly pleasant opening set before Tokyo Police Club.

Trendy LA venue? Check. Pabst Blue Ribbon? Check. Oddly Dressed trendsters? Check. In my mind there was no question that I was in for a night in hipster central to check out yet another hipster approved band when I volunteered to review the opening band, Freelance Whales. To be honest, I only agreed to cover the show so I could see Tokyo Police Club headline the El Rey, but surprisingly enough, I was mistaken.

Maybe it was the pretty dangling chandeliers that hang oh so enchantingly from the ceiling of the El Rey or maybe it was the food coma I was in from that slice of pizza from the Johnnie’s Pizzeria down the street, but I must say, I was too quick to judge what I thought was in store for the night.

The night started off well. Really well. I was blown away by the supporting band Arkells. Let’s just say by the end of their set, these Canadian natives even had me joining in on some Canadian chanting ritual. These guys are on the same label as some pretty solid Canadian acts like City and Colour and Bedouin Soundclash, and their Beatle-esque beats definitely got me moving. I especially liked their song, “John Lennon,” with catchy beats and easy to follow lyrics like “I’m John Lennon, it’s ’67,” I’m sure this song will be their hit.

Freelance Whales was up to bat next. After being named one of Spin Magazine’s 50 “Must Hear Bands at South By Southwest,” I was quite eager to see if what I thought was just another indie rock band, straight out of some music hotspot in New York, deserved all the hype it was receiving.

And oh they so do! I loved it. Their Sufjan Stevens meets electronic meets Postal Service, or as I overheard one guy describe it, “Dude they sound like Passion Pit got really stoned” (in the best possible way), really works for them.

They played songs off their debut album Weathervanes which was recently re-released under the band’s new record labels, Frenchkiss, who represents Passion Pit among others, and Mom + Pop, who has artists like Joshua Radin (I guess when the two come together they birth bands that sound like Freelance Whales). And although not the most entertaining or enthusiastic of live performances, their sound is amazing. The laid back, comfortable atmosphere of the El Rey was the perfect venue for the chill and mellow sound of Freelance Whales. Fans still bopped around to some of their more well-known tracks such as “Generator 1st Floor” and “Starring,” and its quite interesting to see all the crazy instruments they play like glockenspiels, banjos, and harmoniums (that the girl in the band really gets down on by the way). They quickly became my top choice for my Fall playlist, and although their sound is like a match made in hipster heaven, they do have something to them and are definitely a band worth checking out when they come through your town.

Tokyo Police Club closed the night amazingly of course. Hearing “Breakneck Speed,” off their new album Champ live for the first time killed me. If you haven’t checked out their new album yet do so, now.

>> www.freelancewhales.com
>> www.tokyopoliceclub.com