Review Fix chats with In the Whale’s Nate Valez, who discusses the band’s new album “Nate and Eric,†as well as the band’s creative process and how they felt sharing a stage with legendary guitarist Slash.
A two-piece rock duo from Colorado, their sound is surprisingly full and with plenty of momentum from their local community as well as being featured in a commercial for Victory Motorcycles, the band is ready to move up the musical food chain.
Review Fix: What was the creative process for the album/EPs?
Nate Valdez: As far as songwriting goes, Nate writes the basic skeleton of the song and all of the lyrics. Then he takes it to Eric and he adds necessary things to the song. We like to say, “Nate brings the bones, Eric brings the meat.”
Review Fix: What song do you think stands out the most on each EP?
Valdez: From “Cake,” we feel like “34-28-32” stands out because of how explosive it is. From “Eric,” we feel like “Sunbeam” stands out because it was a song we hadn’t played in a long time and we weren’t sure how it would come out. It ended up sounded awesome. From “Nate,” “Lake Of Fire” was a song we felt would be a deep cut, but it ended up being the best sounding song on the record.
Review Fix: What was it like to share a stage with Slash?
Valdez: It was amazing. It was a sold out show, so the crowd was great. We only got to meet Slash for a minute but he was very gracious and cool.
Review Fix: How has the tour been? Valdez: Great. It’s nice to get out of Colorado and spread the In The Whale gospel.
Review Fix: What song do you think has the most interesting story behind it?
Valdez: “Robert Johnson” is our take on the famous story of Robert Johnson, who sold his soul to the devil.
Review Fix: How is it different for the other work you guys have produced?
Valdez: Though we consider ourselves a rock-n-roll band, It’s the most “traditional rock-n-roll” song we have.
Review Fix: How do you want it to be remembered?
Valdez: We would like it to be remembered as In The Whale’s sort of contribution to the rock-n-roll tradition
Review Fix: What are your goals for the rest of the year?
Valdez: We’d like to get out on the road as much as we can and play to as many people as we can. Look for In The Whale in a city near you.
Check out the band’s video for “Heels” below:
For more info on the band, head to their official site, here.
About the Band:
In the Whale is a high energy, two-piece rock band hailing from Denver, CO. Members Nate Valdez (vocals and guitar) and Eric Riley (drums and backing vocals) have been making no nonsense, balls-to-the-wall rock songs since they formed the band in 2011.
Since then, the two have stayed busy exploring the seedier sides of Denver that Âinspires their music. In 2012 they released their first EP, ‘Cake’, and followed it up with the EP, ‘Eric’, in late fall 2013. In between releases the band has been featured in national commercials for Victory Motorcycles and have played with a stupid number of artists you’d happily phone home about. In addition to sharing stages with bands like Murder by Death, Local H, Reverend Horton Heat and Electric Six in their hometown, the band has hit the road and played alongside The Airborne Toxic Event, Agent Orange, Bob Log III, The Pack A.D. and Slash. In the Whale released third EP titled ‘Nate’ in late-Spring 2014 and continue relentlessly touring until they have conquered everything
Leave a Reply