Noah and the Whale

How You Been?

2010-07-06T00:14:00.002+01:00

Hello folks

Sorry for the great length of silence that has passed on this blog. You may however be pleased to know that the time has been spent most constructively as you will find out below, although I am afraid that this trend will not be stopping anytime soon. In fact this will be my last post until the end of the year or at least until recording of the album has been completed.

There have been two wonderful shows recently that rank among my favourites of all time. The first was a few weeks back playing with the magnificent Charlotte Gainsbourg in Lyon. The concert was outdoors in an ancient stone amphitheatre. We played as the sun set and it was absolutely unforgettable. Charlotte's set was mesmerising and the highlight for me was this cover of Bob Dylan's 'Just Like A Women', perhaps the greatest pop song of all time.

The perfect setting to hear this delicate version. It got me thinking about great songs for a summers evening and this one immediately sprang to mind.

For the classical fans amongst you, Richter's rendition of Debussy's 'Suite Bergmanesque' is my current choice to unwind after a hot summers day.

More recently we played our own show at Manchester Cathedral, which was overwhelmingly incredible. Thank you to all you amazing people who came. Thank you also to those of you wrote us letters and postcards, they have been received and read and we were very touched by your kind words. Some of the things you guys said got me thinking about this film 'Breaking Away'. I recommend that you all watch it;

The next day me and Tom went on a hike around the Peak District. We went around the Edale Valley. Here is a picture of us after climbing the highest ridge and the view from the top.

That just leaves us with Lattitude Festival and our headline show at Somerset House and thats it for NATW live for the year. This is because on July 19th we commence the final album session.

We have already started the process after the last 6 months of writing and demoing. We are making the record in California with a producer named Jason Lader. We have already done two weeks together in a studio that was owned by Bob Dylan in the 70's in Venice Beach.

I can't wait to share the new songs with you but until then......

YouDude

2010-05-18T22:26:00.006+01:00

So today is the five year anniversary of Youtube. The online video sharing website that has been the source of so many wasted hours within Noah And The Whale. We each have our favourites, Urby and Fred search endlessly and fearlessly for rare live rock and roll boogies. Tom is more of a fan of the slapstick and of the great goals of the nineties premier league. I am both a big fan of pets talking, skating or just standing up ( I would like to again thank P. Earth for this tip off);

Anyway among the many sights and sounds that youtube offers, one great joy for me is to see all those amazing covers of NATW songs that circulate. I have therefore decided to honour this most sacred occasion by selecting my three favourite. Hope you enjoy.

Stage 2

2010-05-01T17:59:00.002+01:00

So touring for this year has come to an end. A little premature you may say but the next album is now filling all of my conscious hours and even some of my unconscious ones too. We still have a few dates in the summer but the majority of time will be spent hidden away from the glorious sunshine in musical laboratories, alternately cradling my head over a mixing desk and jumping for joy to the rock and roll stylings of our third album in progress. Things have already evolved a lot from our Synagogue sessions and here are a couple of songs influencing that change;

I know its pretty outrageous to have two Arthur Russell songs but I just got the album 'Calling Out Of Context' and my mind is in pieces. I have also quite recently been introduced to the poetry of Frank O'Hara who I think is an absolute great. One of many of his effortlessly quotable lines is from his poem 'The Critic' in which he describes the critic as 'the assassin of my orchards'. Below are a couple more of his poems.

Hope some of that was interesting, see you next time.

Scandinavia and Germany

2010-04-12T00:18:00.004+01:00

Hello

Hope you're all well.

We just pulled in from a short tour of Holland, which was ace. We all enjoyed watching 'Band Of Horses' at the Motel Mozaique festival.

Next week we're off to Scandinavia and Germany for a few weeks and then we're back into writing and recording mode. The dates are up on our myspace along with a couple of new festival dates for the summer, including a show supporting Charlotte Gainsbourg in Lyon. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Meanwhile enjoy a small selection of snaps from our recent jaunt in France.

PLANET EARTH

2010-04-08T01:30:00.004+01:00

Please watch the video at the end of this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erDNEiwQZrg

No ladies and gentlemen it is not footage from an episode of 'Crime Watch' but in fact it's the new video from the rather super 'Planet Earth'. The track is called 'Falling Into Love' and comes out on Young and Lost records on the 19th of April and there is a launch party at 'The Legion' in London on the 27th of April. Find out more at www.youngandlostclub.com

Not only is the track a phenomenal pop smash in its own right but it also features a certain Tom Hobden on violin and myself on drums. It also has our very own photographer James Robinson on bass.

Enjoy!

A Band For Britain

2010-03-30T01:04:00.002+01:00

I watch very little television but just recently my attention was drawn to a BBC2 documentary called ‘A Band For Britain’. The programme follows Sue Perkins as she attempts to breathe new life into the Dinnington Colliery Brass Band. It was quite simply one of the funniest, most moving and most affecting things I have ever seen.

I have two reasons to be particularly vulnerable to a programme like this. Firstly because on my mother’s side of my family, my great grandfather was a coal miner in Dinnington and would have been one of those that the original band aimed to benefit. Also because brass band music, in particular its tradition in community, is something I find very powerful.

Other than the remarkable characters, I think what really stands out in this programme is the lack of synicism with regards to making music and the influence and importance of music within a population. If this is something that interests you then the programme is still available for viewing on the BBC iplayer.

As you’ll see in the show for every pound spent on community music by the UK arts council, one thousand pounds is spent on opera or ballet. Not to belittle the opera or ballet or to suggest that they warrant any less funding. Its just that after wathcing this I would be amazed if the value, relevance and importance of community music like that of the Colliery Brass Band is not glaringly obvious.

Special Summer Shows

2010-03-24T15:19:00.004Z

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen

Due to recording commitments we are only going to perform two more headline shows in the UK this year. However the good news is that they are in perhaps two of the country's most extraordinary and unique venues. We will be playing;

Manchester Cathedral- July 3rd

and

Somerset House, London - July 10th

To order tickets please follow the links below;

Manchester

Ticket link: www.seetickets.com

Box office: 0870 264 3333

Somerset House

Presale - http://www.gigsandtours.com/?c=464288

General - http://www.gigsandtours.com/?a=NOAH+AND+THE+WHALE&v=SOMERSET+HOUSE&site=noahsummerseries

Here are some photos of us in Paris.

We have been on tour in France for the last 10 days, this is a remarkable country. Here is a remarkable French film I saw recently. I watched this twice in a row the first time I saw it is that good.

There is also a fantastic review of our show at the Roundhouse in the NME this week, check it.

2010-03-19T00:35:00.002Z

Hello all

Just to remind that the 'Scouting Book For Boys' comes out today in the UK. Here is the trailer;

You can find listing information on their website below.

http://www.thescoutingbookforboys.co.uk/

BBC6 II

2010-03-08T22:16:00.003Z

Further to the notice I posted below, we have recorded an acoustic version of Tom Petty's 'Last Dj' at our demoing studio. Read below for instructions on how to help save BBC 6.

BBC 6

2010-03-04T22:09:00.002Z

Ladies and Gentlemen

As I'm sure many of you are aware, the BBC is currently facing great tragedy. A tragedy that will be catastrophic on all alternative music groups, new bands and unsigned artists.

The BBC trust have recommended the closure of BBC 6, which in the current climate is quite seriously one of the very few champions of good alternative music left in the mainstream media. Following the BBC's official announcement of their plans they have now entered into a process of public consultation which will be managed independently by the BBC Trust. So if you have any comments on the recent announcement or any part of the BBC Strategy Review then you should go to;

https://consultations.external.bbc.co.uk/departments/bbc/bbc-strategy-review/consultation/consult_view

Here you will find the full details of the Strategy Review and how to respond to the Trust with your views on 6 Music and the review in general. You can also email the BBC Trust about the Strategy Review at srconsultation@bbc.co.uk Or write to them by post: Strategy Review Consultation BBC Trust 180 Great Portland Street London 1W 5QZ

Please make yourselves heard.

EUROPEAN TOUR

2010-02-16T22:04:00.003Z

Hello

We have some new European tour dates posted on our myspace. Take a look see if it's in a town near you.

Things are going extremely well in the studio, we've got seven tracks written and nearly demoed now and we're starting to wind up for the Roundhouse show in March. However despite this great mass of activities our bass player Urby Whale seems to have found his way back onto the silver screen.

Here are some recent photos of Urby;

And as you can see he appears in this scene from 'Local Hero' at around 1 minute and 44 seconds.

While we're talking about whales, here is a beautiful song;

James Robinson

2010-02-10T19:13:00.002Z

Have you ever wondered what our photographer James Robinson looks like? Ever wondered who the man behind the camera was for almost all the photos in our album photo booklet? Well wonder no more.....

www.jamesrobinsongallery.co.uk

Remiiiiixxx

2010-02-03T18:20:00.002Z

Ladies and Gentlemen

Another free Noah and the Whale remix for your listening pleasure;

http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=122&title=c&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Talking of remixes;

Also this is one of the greatest films of all time;

FILM 2010

2010-01-31T16:40:00.001Z

Exciting news friends.

A film named ‘The Scouting Book For Boys’ is released on March 19th. This is exciting for many reasons. Not only because it is an absolute corker of a film and stars, among many other great performances, the unstoppable Thomas Turgoose. It also features six Noah and the Whale songs on the soundtrack. The tracks are mostly from the first record and one b-side. Here is a trailer;

More information can be found on the film website www.thescoutingbookforboys.co.uk. It got me thinking that two of my favourite British actors at the moment are in their youth. Thomas Turgoose as I mentioned above but also Bill Milner. You may have seen Milner in ‘Son Of Rambow’, ‘Is Anybody There’ and most recently as Ian Dury’s son in ‘Drugs and Sex and Rock and Roll’.

Talking of 'Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll', take a look at this article on the Guardian website http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/jan/31/rock-films-british-music . An interesting thought indeed. One that leads me quite nicely into letting you know the developments of the Noah and the Whale documentary, tentatively titled ‘First Days’. It follows us through the making of the record and the film, from the first day in the studio on January 2nd right through to its release in September. It is directed by Ben Adler who collected over 70 hours of footage in his time with the band. I saw the first cut recently and I will be keeping you updated and will post the trailer as soon as there is one.

In the meantime enjoy this song.

Also watch 'A Prophet', its very very good.

I watched this last night again for about the 50th time, one of the best.

The First Days

2010-01-20T23:02:00.010Z

Hello

Last week was a week of meetings, discussing the plans for the record with our label, our publisher and the band. The fact that this is our third album means everyone already has a pretty good understanding of how we work and respects it. Therefore the meetings were pretty straight forward and very positive.

On Monday we moved into a converted synagogue to begin demoing. Here it is;

I think we already have a pretty strong idea of the feel of the record and the first few days have been very promising. Doug has been back on the drums and will hopefully be balancing recording with us over the rest of the year with his medical career. Today was the first full rehearsal with the five of us.

In other news, following an article on the Hebrides in the National Geographic I have decided to take a trip there sometime this summer. There was some pretty remarkable photography with the article and I remembered that for some time now I've wanted to upload a collection of photos I took in the Lake District last winter. A few of them featured in 'The First Days Of Spring' album sleeve but below is a link to get the full collection. I know this is probably not something that will interest everyone but I have no other real outlet for them. The mysterious mannequin head photo by the brick wall, is the head that was used for the binaural field recordings for the album (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binaural_recording).

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=US1U6KLP

Finally here are two comedy classics and a brilliant song from the late great Vic Chestnutt.

Also this is a trailer for a David Lynch film that I only heard about and saw recently. It is quite unlike a lot of his other work but is one of the best films I have seen in a very long time.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-11T00:11:00.012Z

Hello

First off, sorry for such a lengthy silence on this website. Amongst many new years resolutions, to be a more a devoted blogger ranks moderately high.

I haven’t much to report, I spent my Christmas making the first serious steps on the writing of the next record. I have a pretty clear idea now of what I want it to be and have about four songs that I’m very pleased with. We’re spending the next couple of months demoing in a converted synagogue.

I’ve already decided this photo by my friend James Robinson is a contender for the cover;

What a beauty! I’m toying with the title ‘Old Joy’ at the moment but that will most likely change.

If you’re wondering what its going to be like…..well you’ll just have to wait. Although I can tell you that I’ve recently been enjoying these songs;

That last one was a tip off from my friend Planet Earth. I've also been listening to 'Street Hassle' by Lou Reed but the video wouldn't fit on the page.

Also these poems;

In other news the film ‘White Ribbon’ by Michael Haneke is as brilliant as critics have suggested. A late contender for my film of the year alongside ‘Let The Right One In’ and ‘Encounters At The End Of The World’. If you haven’t seen it, I strongly urge you to and if its not on at a cinema near you then grab a copy of his film ‘Cache (Hidden)’.

I got asked what my film of the decade was the other day and I couldn’t decide between ‘Mulholland Drive’ and ‘Let There Be Blood’.

Photos and Remixes

2009-11-27T05:07:00.005Z

Hello All

Firstly some remixes of 'Love Of An Orchestra';

http://www.noahandthewhale.com/nightwaves

http://www.noahandthewhale.com/goldpanda

http://www.noahandthewhale.com/maxtundra

Enjoy!

We've been doing this:

All photos are taken by James Robinson (www.jamesrobinsongallery.co.uk) who also took these while on tour with us in Germany.

Meanwhile in USA my Olympus OM1 produced the following.

2009-10-28T04:30:00.001Z

A Couple Of Live Videos From Paris

2009-10-22T02:02:00.001+01:00

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k7ebG0qLr0Dr7q1ey5G

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k4O5dhfkHtJGgc1eydx

Zane Lowe Session

2009-10-16T16:27:00.000+01:00

Sean Rowe

2009-10-13T22:45:00.000+01:00

This is a video me and James Robinson made with Sean Rowe who is playing support on our uk tour.

US RELEASE TODAY + NYC SHOWS!!!

2009-10-07T00:33:00.013+01:00

'The First Days Of Spring' is released today, October 6th, in America. Grab yourself a copy now.

iTunes
Amazon mp3
Insound

Also We have 3 show booked at the Mercury Lounge on November the second, third and fourth. Tickets on sale here.

Meanwhile here are some photos from on tour in the UK.

All photos courtesy of

http://www.jamesrobinsongallery.co.uk

Also we'll be appearing in session with Zane Lowe tomorrow (Wednesday the 7th of October) tune in from around seven on radio 1.

US Film Screenings with Q&A

2009-09-30T22:41:00.003+01:00

Charlie will be present to answer your questions at two intimate screenings of 'The First Days of Spring' - the film accompaniment to the band's latest album.

Q&A Screenings will take place in LA and New York:

Noah and The Whale Tour Equipment Stolen

2009-09-30T22:04:00.000+01:00

We’re sad to report that last night Noah and the Whale had all of their instruments and tour equipment stolen from Trinity Way NCP car park in Manchester. At some point between midnight and 11am this morning, the band’s trailer was taken containing all the equipment listed below, most of which is of great sentimental value to the band.
Many of the instruments were packed in flight cases marked NOAH in 6” high stencil lettering, or gold marker pen lettering NOAH AND THE WHALE or NATW. If you were in the Manchester area and saw anything suspicious, or if you’ve come across any of the equipment listed, please contact the police immediately. You can also contact Coalition management on 020 8743 1000 or zac@coalitiongroup.co.uk

STOLEN EQUIPMENT

Gibson Les Paul Gold Top Deluxe
Fender telecaster – sunburst with black scratch plate

The above are both LEFT HANDED

Gibson Goldtone GA-30 RVS Amp
Voodoo labs power supply x3
Ernie ball volume pedal x2
Boss TU2 tuner x 7
Boss EQ pedal
Homebrew Electronics Powerscreamer
Ibanez TS-9 Tubescreamer
Line6 delay
Ebow x2
Electro Harmonix Holy Grail
Marshall Compressor pedal
Behringer acoustic DI box
Fender 66 P-bass
Vox F-hole 60’s sunburst bass
Ampeg B-15
Ashdown 2x10 cab
Z Vex wooly mammoth pedal
Little big muff
Mesa Boogie DC3 amp
Marshall 1 x 12 guitar cab
Line6 Digital delay pedal
MXR boost
Ibanez tube screamer
Fender 1965 Deluxe reverb
Ibanez AD9 Analogue delay
Keeley compressor pedal
Fender Telecaster 1963
Fender Jaguar 1963
Electro harmonix POG
Electro harmonix Holy Grail
ZVEX Distortron
Digitech loop pedal
Ludwig silver/white oyster finish drum kit consisting of:
22” kick drum (1966)
Rack Tom 13”(1966)
Floor Tom 16” (1970)
Zildjian 21” ride
14” Hi Hats
13” Hi Hats
16” Crash
17” Crash
Ludwig black beauty snare 14x5
Brady snare 14x6
Ludwig snare 14x5
2 snare stands
3 DW kick pedals, one with tamborine attachment
2 tamborines, cowbell
2 crash stands
1 ride stand
10 pairs wooden 5a sticks
1 pair brushes
2 pair hot rod brushes
2 pair felt beaters
Roland 88 note stage piano and x-frame stand

Peli-case toolbox
Contents:
Peterson strobo-flip
Boss tu2 tuner
Screwdrivers
Gas soldering kit
Various pliers /cutters
Nut-files/ various files
Music-stand lamp
Guitar Polish/cleaners/switch cleaners

Flightcases:
These are all marked NOAH in 6” high stencil lettering, some also have gold marker pen lettering NOAH AND THE WHALE or NATW
Fender Jag case
Fender Tele case x 2
Gibson gold top l/h case
Fender precision bass case
Vox F-hole bass case
Ampeg B-15 bass cab case
Ashdown 4x10 bass cab case
Fender Twin amp case
Fender Deluxe amp case
Gibson goldtone GA30 amp case
4 x Pedal board cases
Large drum traps Hardcase
Small tom case
Floor tom case
Snare case x 3
Kick drum case
Small traps case x 2
Kick pedal case
Guitar rack case x2

Tool box with various screw drivers etc.

Halloween Fun

2009-09-29T00:46:00.001+01:00

(click image to enlarge)

Two New U.S. Dates

2009-09-27T16:14:00.003+01:00

We've added two new dates to our U.S. tour in October. They are:

21st October - San Diego - Casbah

http://casbah...frontgatetickets.com/choose...php?a=1&lid=36697&eid=43077

Casbah
2501 Kettner Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.casbahmusic.com

28th October - Madison - Majestic Theatre

http://www.etix.com/ticket/..online/performanceSearch.jsp?..performance_id=1080200&..cobrand=majesticmadison

Majestic Theatre
115 King Street
Madison WI
http://www.majesticmadison.com

Stay tuned for east coast dates...

NATW x

The Film In The U.S

2009-09-15T10:33:00.002+01:00

(click on the image to enlarge it)

Pure Groove Instore

2009-09-11T22:17:00.000+01:00

U.S Tour

2009-09-11T21:51:00.004+01:00

NOAH AND THE WHALE - U.S TOUR DATES!

October
20 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
22 San Francisco, CA Swedish American Hall
24 Seattle, WA Crocodile Café
25 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
29 Chicago, IL Lake Shore Theatre
30 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room
31 Toronto, ONT Horseshoe Tavern

Keep checking back for more tour updates (New York Dates will be announced soon)....

PRE-ORDER THE LIMITED EDITION VERSION OF NOAH & THE WHALE's CD/ DVD "ON THE FIRST DAYS OF SPRING"AT INSOUND.COM (while supplies last)!

Also thank you to everyone who came out to the Cinema Tour and the ICA.

Shameless!

2009-08-24T01:34:00.005+01:00

I just want to make clear for all those confused that the song that appears in the UK on a Land Rover commercial has absolutely nothing to do with us. We have never done a sync in the UK and have in fact turned down nearly a million pounds in offers to have our songs used on adverts etc. I am yet to see the advert but have received a number of confused messages about it so I hope this clears everything up.

Also our album is now available for pre-order on iTunes, where you can also pick up a 'Blue Skies' EP with the track itself and all the remixes. I personally would prefer to buy a physical CD or perhaps the delicious boxset with film, available from the links at the top of the page. I personally hate listening to music through laptop speakers, it makes everything sound awful. You're not really experiencing it like that. So buy the CD, buy some massive speakers and blow your mind.

We just got back from Green Man which was a sensation. Wilco and The Dirty Three were the cats pyjama's. We also climbed a mountain and here is the end result.

Also if you haven't heard Kath Bloom, listen to Kath Bloom.

Black Cab Session

2009-08-13T10:14:00.001+01:00

Film Teaser

2009-08-13T01:16:00.004+01:00

This is a short excerpt from the film 'The First Days Of Spring', although it isn't reflective of the nature of the film generally, I feel like its nice as its own little piece. Its the only point in the film where the characters acknowledge the music and should be viewed in context, when you watch the full feature it will hopefully make perfect sense.

In other news, the film has been given a 15 certificate by the BBFC.

In other other news we'll be playing an instore at pure groove on Monday the 24th of August with a string quartet to celebrate the release of the single 'Blue Skies'.

US RELEASE DATE

2009-08-05T01:35:00.002+01:00

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am so excited that we have an official release date for our new record 'The First Days Of Spring' in the U.S.A. That date will be (drum role please) the 6th of October. This will be followed very shortly by a series of live dates and screenings of the film. Things have changed a lot in the Noah and the Whale camp and we can't wait to share this with all of you.

An image from a recent Noah and the Whale press conference/Italian backstage area.

New Tour Dates

2009-08-03T22:07:00.005+01:00

Hello Ladies and Gentleman

I'm very pleased to announce that following the release of our new album 'The First Days of Spring' we'll be hitting the road. A list of our entire touring schedule and screenings of the film are to be found at www.myspace.com/noahandthewhale

The following UK shows are now on sale

September
3 London ICA - SOLD OUT
4 London ICA - SOLD OUT
27 Gateshead The Sage
28 Leeds The Cockpit
29 Manchester Club Academy

October
1 Oxford O2 Academy
2 London Koko
4 Norwich Waterfront
5 Cambridge Junction
7 Brighton Concorde
8 Derby Rockhouse
10 Exeter Phoenix
11 Bath Komedia
12 Falmouth Princess Pavillion
14 Sheffield Leadmill
15 Glasgow Oran Mor Auditorium

For our friends across the pond, a trip stateside is planned for October as soon as the UK tour finishes. We will be screening the film on that trip too. Details very soon.

Likewise in europe a trip is planned in September and then some shows with 'Phoenix' in November. See the myspace for more information.

I found this clip recently of us playing in Toronto, so for a sample of what to expect...

Or perhaps we'll do something like this...

In other news, is anyone else incredibly excited about this....

Looks as amazing as I imagined it would. I actually walked past Mr. Anderson a couple of weeks ago. We were mixing the sound for the film at the same post production house that he was mixing 'Fantastic Mr. Fox'. As I got out of a lift, he walked in. I said nothing. Minutes later the building next door burnt down. Seriously.

2009-07-30T12:34:00.008+01:00

Ladies and Gentleman

We have most fortunately got one more remix of our upcoming single 'blue skies' to offer you from the magnificent Twelves.

www.noahandthewhale.com/twelves/

Also here is an interview we did recently talking about the new film and album.

The First Days Of Spring Official Trailer

2009-07-24T13:37:00.004+01:00

To watch full screen click on the icon with four diagonal arrows in the bottom right of the video.

The First Days of Spring Official Trailer from charlie fink on Vimeo.

You can see the film at the following.

7th + 8th August - Belladrum Festival (Read Bed Stage) - Inverness
9th August - Big Chill Festival (Film Four Tent) - Malvern Hills
10th August - Cameo Picturehouse - Edinburgh*
30th August - Watershed - Bristol*
31st August - Cornerhouse - Manchester*
1st September - Film Theatre - Glasgow*
2nd September - Showroom - Sheffield*
4th September - ICA - London*

* = includes Q&A with Charlie Fink

You can also buy the DVD as part of the deluxe album edition, see header at the top of the page.

Blue Skies remixed

2009-07-17T11:01:00.007+01:00

Noah and the Whale have long held the musical philosophy that a song is never settled. A recording, a performance, a transcription are only ideas in flux, interpretations, mood-driven, time-tethered, place-fixed, all valid and all valuable.

The remix represents this process once removed: handing your music files over to The Third Party. As those Young Americans Challenging High Technology (Yacht) express it, a process ‘expressly designed to provide groups of people with catharsis and purification’. It is a chance to remove the still-beating heart of a record and transplant it into a whole other carcass, infuse life into once decaying carrion, or excite new purpose into already strong, sleek muscle. And maybe tag on a tail or endow the new body with the gift of flight. Fortunately these operations have moved from the insanitary back street black market to the air-conditioned wide-screen pro-tools clinics of the Mac book Frankenstein, and Noah and the Whale’s cathartic purification should be inured against post-operative complications.

So we can present two new expositions on the Blue Skies theme. Please follow the links to download the MP3 and the artwork. This process should always be gratuitous. Portland’s Yacht and their construction-through-deconstruction, birth-in-death, kill-to let-live reading:

http://www.noahandthewhale.com/yacht

And Death To The Throne’s pancreas-shattering, kidney-pulsating, gallstone-splitting fix:

http://www.noahandthewhale.com/deathtothethrone

Doug

Glastonbury in Photos

2009-07-08T05:58:00.006+01:00

Photos by James Robinson
http://jamesrobinsonphotography.wordpress.com

First Days First Screening

2009-06-23T23:09:00.003+01:00

I'm very pleased to announce that the first screening of the film and album 'The First Days of Spring' will be at Latitude Festival. This is the third consecutive year that we have performed at the festival in some way, shape or form and it is always an absolute pleasure. A firm festival favourite amongst the band.

I hope you are all enjoying the first album taster and perhaps got a chance to hear the new single on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show yesterday. If not you can check it out here http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/zanelowe/.

Note Change from 6.10pm to 6pm.

Album Artwork

2009-06-17T12:29:00.006+01:00

We are very excited to announce that pre-orders for our new album will be available from online retailers this week. Here for the first time is the artwork, provided by our very good friend, the photographer James 'J Ro' Robinson. James has been with us on a variety of locations since January, when recording began, and we are pleased to announce that the record is accompanied by a booklet of photos which chronicle the project to it's completion. More of J Ro's work can be found at http://jamesrobinsonphotography.wordpress.com.

Last night in the land of soaring spires, underground libraries, and subterranean railways, Noah and the Whale were due to debut the first screening of The First Days of Spring at the Oxford Union. Sadly we were beset by technical difficulties five minutes in, and film makers the world over shuddered unknowing as to why, when our DVD began to sporadically skip, with repeating persistence. After several attempted rescue operations, involving excessive wiping, two laptops and a bevy of what must have been some of the finest technical assistance in the country, we faced the student throng and proceeded in an unprepared question and answer session.

Thankfully hands kept rising for over forty minutes, as we fielded questions on topics as diverse as the state of the music industry, through to correcting the misconception that our new record was electronica. Despite the outcome not being what we had planned, the evening was a pleasant change to that of our normal night time engagements, in the period which is now recognised as Festival Season.

Urby

Williamsburg pt. 2

2009-06-13T18:02:00.004+01:00

Fiume Night 14.2 _ Noah & The Whale _ williamsburgh, april 2009 from vincent moon / temporary areas on Vimeo.

Also we are teaming up with Crisis, a charity that supports homeless people across London, to put on a very special show somewhere in London on the 24th June.

Tickets are on sale at www.seetickets.com/hidden in advance with profits going to the charity.

To highlight the precariousness of being homeless in London, simulating something of the uncertainty of having no fixed roof for the night, the location of the gig will only be revealed 24 hours before the show itself. Although you can rest assured that it will be in an accessible part of London.

The First Days Of Spring a film and album by Noah and the Whale

2009-06-08T20:35:00.011+01:00

For those of you who haven't heard yet, our new album will be accompanied by a film. I have repeatedly struggled to find a concise way to describe the relationship between the two. I resist the term 'feature length music video' as it is a narrative film but its backbone is the soundtrack.

The narrative of the film and the narrative of the album are not the same but they are complimentary. So for those of you expecting a R Kelly style opera you will sadly be disappointed ...or perhaps pleasantly surprised.

The plan is to launch the film with a screening at a very exciting location that I cannot yet reveal in July. There will be screenings throughout the summer at music festival cinema tents which will all also be announced soon. Then surrounding the late August release there will be a limited cinema run and you will be able to purchase the film in a deluxe box set with the album.

Anyway I assure you there will be regular updates on the progress of the film and its launch so stay tuned. Currently we're just locking off the edit and should have a finished film by the end of the month and I can't tell you how excited I am about sharing it with you all. Since I first conceived this project last summer it has completely consumed my life and the idea of actually having it finished is both totally joyous and terrifying. However I have to confess, though I probably shouldn't, that I am incredibly proud of it.

Also come back on Friday to see the second part of the Fiume Nights video from New York (part 1 is in the blog below).

All photo's taken by our resident photographer James Robinson (click on them to enlarge).

Photos by James Robinson
http://jamesrobinsonphotography.wordpress.com

New home. Open house.

2009-06-03T10:25:00.012+01:00

A new home. An open house.

With every intention of sounding unlike a press statement, but failing dismally, we will release our second album, The First Days of Spring, at the end of August.

As many reading this will be aware, Charlie has also directed a film to accompany the record. Sidestepping drawn-out overanalysis, the pithiest, if crudest, aphorism we have used consistently for the sum of its parts is ‘feature-length music video’. But truly it stands as a wonderful work in its own right.

So Noah and the Whale’s new ouput is doubly new, in direction and in media. Partly to staunch our gushing excitement at the prospect of finally sharing the new material, we have decided to presage its prolix parturition over the summer by leaking a teasing foretaste of the band’s next chapter.

As you can see it looks and feels a little different, but resolutely you will recognize the substance as Noah and the Whale. Just as we have taken greater personal involvement in the gestation of this project, we feel it is essential to have our major interface, this website, represent us directly and clearly also. So expect postings to be regular and relevant, and largely from our own gnarled hands.

The first post we have the privilege of putting up is an exclusive live video and recording from New York of new songs captured by the irrepressible and brilliant Vincent Moon of Blogotheque Take Away Shows and Arcade Fire’s Miror Noir among other beautiful projects.

Doug