Setlist: Whitney
By David Weiner
Max Kakacek (Left), Julien Ehrlich (Right), Photos by David Weiner
The band Whitney is wholly authentic. They are the worn vinyl ran rough by the needle on your dads old record player type of genuine. They’re timeless in their ability to tell the most personal of stories with a delivery so universal. Masked in bright, falsetto melodies are the tales of heartbreak and loneliness. Light Upon The Lake theatrically opens with a scene-setting brass intro that prepares listeners for the most perfectly honest 30-minute album journey.
The band had four other interviews after ours all before they were to take the stage at Baby's All Right for their sold-out debut album release show. Welcome Light Upon The Lake.
Julien looked down at his phone and showed it to Max.
"We've got the number one indie album out right now," Julien said. His facial expression didn't change from its relaxed position. "What exactly does that mean?"
It's almost as if Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek were somehow unaware of the momentum their band is currently generating. They were happy, I could tell, but not excitable; they were serene. Every other article will talk about the bands history with Smith Westerns and Unknown Mortal Orchestra, but after the release of Light Upon The Lake it has become abundantly clear that Whitney very much stands alone. Their sound is filled with soul and rich with lyrical content deeply reminiscent of folk musics earliest storytellers.
Max Kakacek (Left), Julien Ehrlich (Right) shot at the Brooklyn Bike Park.
"A friend had one of our demos and was nice enough to give it around to people. Secretly (Secretly Canadian, the bands current label) ended up listening to it. They invited us to play for them and signed us right there," Julien said calmly.
Pushed to the front of the stage is Julien's drum set where he both plays and sings. The band consists of Max Kakacek (Lead Guitar), Julien Ehrlich (Drums, Vocals), Malcolm Brown (Keyboards), Josiah Marshall (Bass), Will Miller (Brass), Print Chouteau and Charles Glanders.
We were able to take a brief moment with the groups songwriters Julien and Max for a Setlist interview where they filled in five fun questions over a few beers before we took off to the Brooklyn Bike Park for photos.
The interview took place at Motorino's in Brooklyn. The bartender spilled beer on the interview questions.
Julien Ehrlich
Max Kakacek
If you're headed to Tennessee this year for Bonnaroo next weekend you'll be able to catch Whitney performing songs off their debut album, Light Upon The Lake.
Special thanks to Brooklyn Bike Park for letting us photograph in their space.