​No matter where we go

Photo by Daniel Topete

With influences from Marvin Gaye and The Band, Chicago-based indie folk rock band Whitney’s Julien Ehrlich considers their sound to be “country soul.” Throughout the album Ehrlich’s warm falsetto is melancholy yet optimistic, combined with strings, brass, and even an occasional bit of twang. Who would ever have thought country and soul could pair so well?

Whitney has been on a rigorous touring schedule to promote their record, “Light Upon the Lake” to sold-out venues across the country. Drummer/vocalist Ehrlich took a moment to chat with the High Plains Reader on Whitney’s songwriting process, recording, and the rigors of touring.

High Plains Reader: I read in one interview that Whitney was a character that you would base your songs around--is that correct?

Julien Ehrlich: That’s kind of how it started then--I don’t know, pretty soon after we wrote the first couple of songs using that method, but then the third song that we wrote--it was like nah--screw this, let’s write about more personal things now that we know we can write songs together. It was really a way to get acquainted with each other’s songwriting style.

HPR: How do your and Max Kakacek’s songwriting styles/influences differ?

JE: We kind of coined the term country soul for our songs. I would say that I bring a little more soul and Max brings a little more country. We just throw out ideas--and I guess if the ideas pass through both of our brains they’re good enough to be in a Whitney song.

HPR: Do you attribute your soulfulness to your Chicago roots?

JE: No, it’s just the way that I lean. I was really obsessed with Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye in high school--like really really REALLY obsessed. Like get tattoos when I turned 18 obsessed.

HPR: During your songwriting process, do you generally start with lyrics or a melody?

JE: Most of it is starting with a chord progression that we think is good or interesting enough and then finding its true perfect melody that suits it. We have those two things that we build the arrangement around or come up with other parts that match it -- like a verse to a chorus or a chorus to a verse and then we build around that. Me and Max just pace around the room and throw out ideas until one of them excites both of us and the idea catches on. Then we take it and run with it.

HPR: I saw that Whitney, Angel Olson, Mitski and a handful of others contributed to an anti-Trump compilation called “Our First 100 Days”. Can you tell us a bit about your contribution?

JE: We were doing a cover. We just wanted to help out, we didn’t write a super political anthem. We’re writing for our next album--we’re not necessarily going to write to bash Trump although we really don’t like him very much. We wanted to contribute a song because they’re giving donations to ACLU and Planned Parenthood and stuff. That’s what we really care about.

HPR: What was your experience like recording the album “Light Upon the Lake?”

JE: It wasn’t much different from our experiences recording any of the other records that we’ve worked on. We just flew out to L.A., camped in Jonathan Rado’s backyard and woke up everyday and worked tirelessly until we fell asleep.

HPR: What was 2016 like for you, pre-album release versus post album?

JE: We started touring six months before the record came out and it’s been six months after the album came out now. There wasn’t much difference. We just kept playing the shows we were offered and tried to play the best that we could so it would maybe catch on early and we could get bigger shows earlier on--if that makes sense.

I think it worked. We play some pretty massive venues in April when we come through Fargo. That tour we’re doing 700-800 people in Seattle and Portland -- which is kind of crazy. They’re both sold out.

HPR: As far as the rigors of touring are concerned, I took a look at your tour schedule. What do you guys do to relax? Do you even have time to relax while on tour?

JE: On tour? Not really. We’re pretty much partying the whole time, but when we get home we just hang out basically. We cut out the booze and go running every once in awhile. Try to detox so we can make it through another tour when the next one comes.

IF YOU GO

Radio Free Fargo presents Whitney with Helena Deland

Monday, April 3, 9pm to midnight

The Aquarium (Dempsey’s upstairs), 226 Broadway, Fargo