Tuesday Tunes

I wanted to go with something Whale themed. Not for some random reason, but for many random reasons. There’s an old story about Jonah spending three days and nights inside a Whale after rejecting his destiny. I knew it from the Bible growing up, but it’s the same (or similar) in other religious texts, and might even borrow from the Epic of Gilgamesh. Anyway … I was writing a song about numbers and referenced Jonah’s time spent in the Whale. Then when I went to play at the Bunker last week, Caitlin Smith brought up a term I’d not heard before: Jonah Complex. Turns out Jonah Complex is the same (or similar) to Imposter Syndrome, which I’ve been looking into during my day-job. So everthing recently has been bringing me back to the story of Jonah, and thoughts of Whales …

The Song(s)
Song: On The Ropes
Artist: Said The Whale
Album: hawaiii - 2017 - Hidden Pony Records
Method of discovery: Investigating previously favourited artists on Spotify

Theory: Harmonically, the song stays around I-IV-V, and occasionally throws a bVI in there. If you listen along with a guitar, you can hear the changes. I’m also intrerested in the Drumming pattern here, it’s reminiscent of early rock drum beats, although certainly sounds thicker. In fact the whole thing feels very rock-a-billy influenced to me. The lyrics paint a picture of two characters who I think grew up together, but never had the right timing.

Research: Said the Whale are from Vancouver, Cananda, and have had a slew of members over the years, but retain the core trio. And they haven’t let their early Juno Award go to their heads, their instagram showcasing the event they put on for schools, and the money they help raise for said schools. There really is nothing like a picture of a lady wailing into a mic. Not only that, but they even advertise for young musicians to be their opening act. This is a band that gives back. Nice work, Said The Whale.

Personal thoughts: When I had the idea for this post, I put Whale into the serach field for all of my favourited songs on Spotify, Said The Whale represented 14/23rds of the results. I may like this band a little bit. By contrast, there was only one Jonah. I like them for the same reason I like Regurgitator; they keep it fresh by varying their style, not just from each album, but even to each song within albums. They do this while retaining the Core of the band so that my reaction whenever I realise it’s Said The Whale that’s come over my ears my reaction is “Oh cool, I love this band!” and instantly save it. Also I just love the naming convention making it seem like a Whale says a whole lot of stuff.

Give it a go: If you’d like to give back to a band who gives to others

Give it a miss: If you have extreme Cetaphobia

[links]
Spotify: On The Ropes, Said The Whale, Tuesday Tunes
Said The Whale: Website, Instagram
Wikipedia: Said The Whale, Jonah, Jonah Complex