Discover new music - Noah and the Whale offer free songs, video streams and a tour

Noah and the Whale make a picture; photo by Jon Bergman

Noah and the Whale's sophomore CD, “The First Days of Spring,” came out earlier this week, and is already a favorite in the Digital Music Examiner (DAME?) household. Here in the states, we’re just catching up with a band that has been a British favorite since the release of its debut album, “Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down,” last year. One track from that CD, "5 Years Time,” was a chart hit in the U.K. and made an impact here in the U.S. through its use in a Saturn ad. Rather than try to describe its charming giddiness, you can hear/see it on the official music video.

Still in his early 20s, vocalist and songwriter, Charlie Fink leads the group, which emerged in 2006 from a London scene that’s been called anti-folk and nu-folk, and has among its other members Johnny Flynn, Laura Marling and Emmy the Great. The latter two were part-time members of the band for a bit, and Marling provided background vocals on “Peaceful”; her own album "Alas, I Cannot Swim," (also recommended) was produced by Fink.

While “Peaceful…” was a charming album of dreamy, romantic acoustic pop that drew comparison to the likes of Sufjan Stevens, Belle & Sebastian and the tone of the wildly successful “Juno” soundtrack, the new album is more ambitious, sometimes epic and much more conflicted as it follows a conceptual narrative about a broken relationship (reportedly based on that of Fink and Marling) with sometimes desolate backdrops and bleak lyrics (“This is a song for anyone with a broken heart…” or, “This is the last song that I write while still in love with you.")

You can get a taste of the album, a free download of the title track, from Noah and the Whale's web site. Meanwhile, the kind people at RCRD LBL  are also offering a freebie – a remix of “Blue Skies,” as done by YACHT, including some springy synths and bulkier rhythms that up the ante on the generally laid-back Noah and the Whale style. There’s video for the original version of “Blue Skies,” as well, but not a typical music video. As part of a multi-media experience to promote/enhance the music, Fink has directed a 45-minute film that serves as companion piece to the album. “Blue Skies” provides the soundtrack for the film’s trailer:

The First Days of Spring Official Trailer from charlie fink on Vimeo.

 Although Fink shot on the proverbial shoestring, if the trailer is any indication, he brings the same nuance and richness to film as he does to music. Shot on location in London and Surrey with an ensemble cast that includes model Daisy Lowe, the film comes as a DVD in the physical CD of “The First Days of Spring” or as an album-only bonus track with an iTunes purchase (the site’s current $7.99 price makes it a sweet deal).

 As part of Noah and the Whale’s brief (alas) current U.S. tour, the band is hosting a few screenings of the film, some of which will feature Fink in a Q&A session.

Concert dates for Noah and the Whale

Oct. 20      Los Angeles, CA      The Roxy
Oct. 21      San Diego, CA         Casbah
Oct. 22      San Francisco, CA    Swedish American Hall
Oct. 24      Seattle, WA               Crocodile Café
Oct. 25      Portland, OR             Doug Fir Lounge
Oct. 28      Madison, WI              Majestic Live
Oct. 29      Chicago, IL                Lake Shore Theatre
Oct. 30      Pontiac, MI                The Pike Room
Oct. 31      Toronto, ONT             Horseshoe Tavern
Nov. 2, 3 & 4  New York, NY       Mercury Lounge_

 Film Screenings:
Oct. 9         Seattle, WA               Comet Tavern
Oct. 19       Los Angeles, CA       Space 15 Twenty (Q&A)
Oct. 20       New York, NY            Angels & Kings
Nov. 1        New York, NY             Pianos (Q&A)

For more info: