Or, The Whale is a sextet (Alex Robins, Lindsay Garfield, Jesse Hunt, Tim Marcus, Lia Rose, Sean Barnett) making folk and Americana music sound good- a complete country-infused force to be reckoned with.  It should be noted I strongly dislike country- but somehow OTW’s genre hybrid is insanely soothing!

I was totally roped in by their “fight song,” with the very sweet sounding guitar and perfect vocals that succeed in lulling the listener into an instant state of complete calm.  Think Dios style guitar with a side of perfectly placed vocals and harmonizing qualities.

I caught up with OTW’s lead vocalist and guitarist Alex Robins as they continued to venue hop on the road post their L.A. show to get a little more 411 on the band itself!

LN:  Where’d the name come from?  It’s really unique!

AR:  “Or, the Whale” is the original subtitle of the novel *Moby Dick* by Herman Melville. We have a couple English majors in the band and thought it was ambiguous enough to work. Over time, it’s become another part of the band’s identity.

LN:  You guys have a large ensemble- how’d you all meet up?
AR:  We met with the help of old friendships, co-workers, classmates, and Craigslist.

LN:  As far as the songwriting goes- does one member take charge primarily, or does everyone contribute equally?
AR:  Songwriting has changed as the band has progressed. Originally it was a bit more individual songs with the group adding embellishments. Now, it’s a more collaborative process with everyone in the band taking a more active role in shaping and reshaping songs in the practice space to make them as fully formed as possible.

LN:  Main musical influences as a band?

AR:  We love lots of different bands and types of music.  Lately, a lot of Hiss Golden Messenger. Fleetwood Mac, Huey Lewis & the News, etc.

LN:  Any pre-show vices or rituals you always do as a band?

AR:  The singers in the band warm up vocally a few minutes before every show. Gets the ya-yas out.

LN:  You’re stranded on a deserted island- what three CD’s do you take?  Pick your poison!

AR:  If it’s me, I take “The White Album” (The Beatles), “Curtis” (Curtis Mayfield), and “Witch Season” (The Court and Spark)

LN:  What’s up next for OTW in twenty-eleven?

AR:  Lots of shows, writing new jams and hopefully a new record in some shape or form.

LN:  Closing remarks?

AR:  Thanks for all the support and we’ll see you at a show in 2011!

You can catch OTW next December 17-18 at The Great American Music Hall, and I strongly recommend you get out there to hear OTW’s sweet serenades first hand.  For more info you can cyberstalk the band at www.myspace.com/orthewhale.  There may be a lot of fish in the sea- but there’s only one Or, The Whale.