Artist description baleen According to fans in packed venues, baleen is a band you want to catch every time they play. baleen engages crowds with surprises and sophistication, pulling off complicated songs with grace and intensity. Though based in rock and roll, baleen fluidly utilizes jazz, punk, R&B, classical, and Middle Eastern genres. The 16 tracks on their second release, soundtrack to a normal life, hold secrets and are well produced, but baleen's live shows are where themes developed on the CD interplay and entertain. According to Tim Davis of Charlotte's Creative Loafing, “Now augmented by Tony McCullough, Derrick Hines and Steve McMillan of the X-periment, the band has the chops to back up the tremendous promise of soundtrack, one of the best local releases in recent memory. Moody organic electronic music with a rock & roll heart.”

Music Style Indie Alt-Rock/ Electonica

Musical Influences Radiohead, Tortoise, Blonde Redhead, Trans Am

Similar Artists Radiohead, Tortoise, Blonde Redhead, Trans Am

Artist History baleen began as an instrumental trio in Chapel Hill, NC, with Mike Vagianos and Brian Wingate on guitars, and Phil Disher on drums. They developed an original sound and their live shows consisted of seamless song transitions and elegant mixes of electronic and organic sounds. Their first release, Personality Plus, praised highly by critics and fans alike, landed them on rotation at several college radio stations (including WXYC at UNC Chapel Hill and WNYU at New York University) and on compilation discs such as Charlotte Sometimes, Charlotte, NC, and Owassa Night Atlas, Nashville, TN. When baleen moved to Charlotte, NC, they added three of Charlotte's best musicians, Steve McMillan (bass), Derrick Hines (keyboards/samples/vocals), and Tony McCullough (horns/vocals).

Group Members Steve-Bass Tony-Sax, Vocals Mike-Guitar, Vocals Phil-Drums Derrick-Keys, Vocals

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums,Sax, Keys, Sequencing, Vocals

Albums Personality Plus (2000), soundtrack to a normal life (2001) LiquiLab Records

Press Reviews As baleen moves its music internationally through LiquiLab Records, they receive internet play, postings and reviews such as the following from www.Real.com: “Swooping guitar feedback, fast jungle beats, ambient noise of all varieties (wind chimes, digital distortion, etc.), funky bass-lines and solid, familiar rock riffs all come together in this intriguing amalgam of modern rock and modern electronica. Some experiments are more successful than others...but each piece shows the members of baleen endeavoring to push the sonic envelope.” Acclaim/Press for baleen “Now augmented by Tony McCullough, Derrick Hines and Steve McMillan of the X-periment, the band has the chops to back up the tremendous promise of soundtrack, one of the best local releases in recent memory. Moody organic electronic music with a rock &roll heart.” – Tim Davis Creative Loafing, Music Menu - Charlotte, NC - Nov. 21-27, 2001 p.49 "baleen's music is some next level rock meets jazz meets classical. In the same vein as Radiohead, and of the more experimental Beatles. Energy driven songs with a dash of trip hop and beautiful atmospheric sound scapes." Subatomic Magazine - 2001 "Wonderfully dreamy, rugged soundscapes that one might safely assume came out of the British underground somewhere, rather than south Charlotte, NC." Creative Loafing - Best of Charlotte Issue 2000 "Swooping guitar feedback, fast Jungle beats, ambient noise of all varieties (wind chimes, digital distortion, etc.), funky basslines and solid, familiar rock riffs all come together in this intriguing amalgam of modern rock and modern electronica. Some experiments are more successful than others ..., but each piece shows the members of baleen endeavoring to push the sonic envelope." Real.com Downloads - 2001 "Augmented by three X-perimenters on their new demo (look for official release soon), baleen has vaulted into the ranks of the very best bands in town, methinks able to flip flop from dub/ambient soundscape into a My Bloody Valentine-like jag at t he drop of a hat, the band just keeps getting better. Once unfortunately dubbed by some with the "bedroom music" label, these guys can pull it off live, which, given the relative complexity of the songs, is a pretty impressive feat." Tim Davis - Creative Loafing - 2000 "Best Electronic Act" Critic's Pick Creative Loafing Best of Charlotte Issue 2001 baleen These cats have been prowling the region for three years, and the upcoming record spreads a thick vibe of trip hop, ambient free form jazz, hip hopping percussion and guitars swaying from whispers to screams. Soundtrack to A Normal Life (LiquiLab) is slated to hit in late November, and here's a chance to catch 'em on the way up. - Samir Shukla Creative Loafing, 10.24.01 - Charlotte, NC “...check out some trippy ... jazz/funk/electronic/hip hop courtesy of the LiquiLab collective, featuring baleen, The X-periment, Ism, and more. Recommended.” – Tim Davis Creative Loafing, Music Menu – Charlotte, NC - Oct. 31, 2001

Additional Info LiquiLab Records

Location Charlotte, NC - USA

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