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Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Website: www.simienthewhale.com
Sounds Like: Cake, Gorillaz, Arcade Fire
Genre: Alternative
Formed in 2006, Grand Rapids based songwriting and production duo Simien the Whale have performed their unique mix of Break-Beat Rock and Indie-Pop across Michigan and the Midwest. The pair released their first full-length album ‘Simien the Whale’ in November 2012 along with a pair of music videos – ‘Always Something Easier’ and ‘Bend Not Break’ – produced by Kevin Budzynski at Whiskey Neat, LLC.
“The past twelve months have been wonderful for us,” says Guy. Indeed the band have seen their most productive year yet. In addition to their music videos, the band participated in the production of a video celebrating their hometown’s recent selection as ‘Beer City, USA.‘ In July 2012 Simien the Whale was selected as a bonus track to the Revue West Michigan Music Sampler, submitting a special track ‘My Attention‘ for the regional publications yearly production of the area’s best music. September 2012 saw the band competing in the international art competition ArtPrize. Along with being selected as a special performer during the ArtPrize Musician’s Showcase, the band’s submission ‘Easy Way‘ earned top 5 honors in their category.
Their lastest album, a self-titled effort, was released November 30th, 2012 at Grand Rapids independent music haunt The Pyramid Scheme, and is available worldwide on iTunes. The brand new album has received critical approval since it’s release (“Simien the Whale has emerged with a self-titled 10-track album that stands out as one of the region’s best of the year” – John Sinkevics, Localspins.com) and is the band’s effort to land themselves on the regional and national stage. Having entered into Mackinaw Harvest Music Studios in the Fall of 2012 with seventeen songs, the pair whittled the listing over the course of almost two years to the ten they felt best represented their sound. “With this one (album), we just took our time,” says Peterson. “We just wanted to get it right. … We’re kind of treating it as a fresh start.”
Peterson and Guy are currently back in the studio. “We have material for a new album and we hope to release something very soon,” says Guy. “We want to keep putting stuff out there and hope people like it.”
“More than two years after walking into Grand Rapids’ Mackinaw Harvest Music studios with 17 songs to shape and winnow, Simien the Whale has emerged with a self-titled 10-track album that stands out as one of the region’s best of the year”
John Sinkevics - Localspins.com
“Grand Rapids Indie Rockers, Simien the Whale, released a new full length self-titled album today. This funky rock album utilizes some really great effected guitar, and prominent bass lines give it quite a groove.”
Jacob Pauwels - Listen to the Mitten
“Having just turned six years old, Simien The Whale has matured. The Grand Rapids band – formed by co-songwriters Zachary Guy and Tory Peterson in 2006 – has backed off on the blog chronicling the awkwardly adolescent whale character sharing their same name, and focused on making music.”
Eric Mitts - Recoil Magazine
“As Simien the Whale, Zachary Guy and Tory Peterson have long embraced a collaborative approach, bringing in players as needed to spice up their variegated music, á la the Gorillaz. But on their most ambitious "break-beat rock" project yet, they outdo themselves brilliantly with a self-titled collection recorded over the course of a year at Mackinaw Harvest Music. The 10-track album – displaying hints of Arcade Fire, Animal Collective, Crowded House, shoegaze – cleverly unwinds pop hooks amid what Guy terms "tonal exploration," enhanced by different drummers and producers. Toss in its rhythmically soulful underpinnings and this could be one of the catchiest local albums you'll hear this year. Seriously.”
John Sinkevics - Revue Magazine
