It’s 10PM in snowy Hoboken, New Jersey. The bus has dropped me several blocks early and in shock from the change in vibe; only 20 minutes earlier I was plugged in to busy Manhattan and now there is nothing but closed businesses and parked cars. I start to panic. Where are the people? This is nothing like Jersey Shore…
After a short walk Maxwell’s turns up reliably where I expected it to be and obviously open. Thank goodness. Through the restaurant I find a modest sized room packed shoulder to shoulder with giddy fans. Clearly others have made the worthwhile journey to hear Freelance Whales.
Kicking off a short tour and out to promote their new release, Diluvia, the band breaks through the mob and on stage with vigor. Within the first few chords they’ve immersed us into a sonic place like being somewhere far beneath an imaginative sea. The crowd is hushed and attentive now, as Freelance Whales express a beautiful musical
story. Riddled thick with comforting harmonies and accented with splashes of unique instruments; banjo, xylophone, the occasional trumpet. It’s easy to understand why their folky, friendly songs have been picked up by countless TV productions like Grey’s Anatomy and Chuck- they have something both interesting and accessible to offer. A highlight was their extremely tight performance of Broken Horse, especially powerful and rich in person.
By then end of the encore the audience seemed both stupefied and elated; having traveled somewhere almost mystical with the music. In retrospect, Freelance Whales were completely suited for this cozy and intimate show in a neighborhood offshore of The City. Well worth the chilly journey.