Freelance Whales is an emerging indie-rock band hailing from Queens, New York. The band formed in 2008 and has just released their first full-length LP, Weathervanes, this year. Most of the band members are multi-instrumentalists and the band has created a patchwork sound that has influences from everything from bluegrass to The Postal Service. Be sure to catch Freelance Whales on tour with Miniature Tigers this month! (Click here for tour dates) Doris Cellar was kind enough to answer our questions about the band and tell us a spooky tour story.
Kelly: Tell us the story of how the band got together…
Doris Cellar: We started the band in July of 2008. I had just graduated from city college and was looking to start a band back up again. I posted my music up online, I auditioned for a few bands and when I met up with Judah it all came together really nicely. He had great ideas and was open to instrument rotation. We started rehearsing and from then on we just rehearsed in a monthly rehearsal space; sometimes two or three times a week until we started touring.
KM: How would you describe your sound?
DC: Its hard to say because I hear a lot of different genres intertwined in our melodies, harmonies, rhythms and instrumentation. I wanna say were an indie band because we have an animal band name but at the same time i feel like indie can be such a general term for young bands these days.
KM: Who are some of your sonic influences?
DC: Im really into a lot of different music so its another question that I cant particularly pin down. I spent my teenage years listening to punk, and riot girl so the spirit of the music definitely resonates within me.
KM: What has been your biggest accomplishment as a band so far?
DC: I think just being able to endure tour life and finding a happy place away from home.
KM: What are your goals for the upcoming year?
DC: I just want to keep writing and playing to satisfy the muse in me.
KM: What has been your favorite city/venue to play in?
DC: I like all cities, but besides the obvious (Austin, NY, LA, San Francisco) I enjoy Salt lake city very much as well.
KM: What’s on heavy rotation in the tour bus/ on your ipod?
DC: Ray Charles, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin
KM: Who is your favorite new artist?
DC: We are currently on tour with this amazing band called Miniature Tigers, they have an incredible new album and are really great performers.
KM: What would be your dream collaboration and why?
DC: There are so many contemporary artists that come to mind when I think about this question but if I had to pick one, I would pick an oldie instead. It would be Stevie Wonder because I’m a huge fan, and plus, who doesn’t want to kick it with a legend?
KM: Tell us your craziest/most embarrassing band story, and make it a good one.
DC: The most craziest story I have to say was when we were in Tuscan Arizona at Hotel Congress. Apparently the room Chuck and I were staying in was right next to the haunted room. That night we experienced a slew of paranormal activity, from hearing weird noises, to vivid bad dreams, Chuck even slept walked into the hallway at 5am. I ended up chasing him down the hallway and waking him up. Chuck has never slept-walk before and we are pretty convinced it was the energy of the place and the ghost who took over his body.
