Whale Fire

The debut full-length album titled “Before You Run” from indie dream pop outfit Whale Fire was released earlier this month. Since the unveiling of their 7? Dream of Me/The Fabric last year, the band have worked with Michael Stephens at Pizza Party Studios to compile a total of nine tracks for this new record. With three songs from Before You Run already receiving critical acclaim, the rest of the album is just as phenomenal proving Whale Fire’s adeptness at producing dream infused standout indie rock songs.

Whale Fire’s co-lead vocalists John Steel and Clay Grubbs throughout the new album provide both harmonic and solo vocals. They also handle the melodies strumming reverb-heavy guitars. Matthew Steel provides backing vocals and bass guitar riffs, and Will Vick keeps the songs moving with the drums/percussion.

Below you can listen to The Fabric, one of the songs off of the album. If you like what you hear you can stream the album in its entirety here. Follow the band on Facebook, check out their website. Pick up Before You Run on iTunes or Bandcamp! - Lost In The Sound

Fans are singing a high note for Whale Fire, the Little Rock band who recently released their first full-length album, Before You Run. The album paints a portrait of the journey we take on the way to the place where we want to be in life, naturally obtaining whatever treasure we want out of life, however enlightening or comforting. That's the translated, interpretable skeleton to do with what you will.

Here's the soul: the nine song LP uses lush melodies, airy background vocals, heightened percussion, and the right dose of reverb guitar to dream away the day. Before You Run is a metaphorical, or not-so-metaphorical journey of "questioning everything you go through as an adult,"says co-vocalist and guitarist John Steel. The album was recorded at a friend's house in Little Rock.

The album begins with a hypnotically bouncy strum of the guitar in the song, "Dream of Me" and the passionately theatrical high and low vocals of Steel. The lyrics in the band's latest single, "Wild-Eyed Mistake," pay tribute to the moments when we act without thinking. When it comes to writing songs, Steel starts with a nonfictional event. As he keeps writing, fiction and imagination play a greater part in what the song becomes.

"I imagine a character who doesn't look before they leap, doesn't always think things through," John says about "Wild-Eyed Mistake". It has since become a favorite of college radio stations. After the release of "Wild-Eyed Mistake", Whale Fire released a 7-inch record last September featuring "Dream of Me" and "The Fabric", both of which are on the album.

While the four Little Rock boys agree that the three singles are a few of their own favorites, "Wild-Eyed Mistake" is the song they feel represents them best as a band. "It has a feeling of adult angst. The feeling like you're not quite there yet with life," Clay said.

Whale Fire create an atmosphere where each song on their album has room to grasp a musical idea and run with it. No song sells itself short. In fact, the longest song is over nine minutes and comes equipped with a funky sci-fi mix right before it opens back up with that dreamy guitar, slightly reminiscent of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."

Whale Fire is Matthew Steel on backing vocals and bass guitar, Will Vick playing drums and percussion, and John Steel and Clay Grubbs as co-lead vocalists and guitarists. The four mainly agree on their taste in music, such as early-eighties bands and The Beatles, but when it comes to their own music, they want to be the biggest influence you hear pacing through the speakers. The individual tracks are bold with spontaneous percussion and guitar breakdowns. Vick's bongos and Matt Steel's backing vocals on "U Will Find" add to the 'beachy' feel that carries throughout the whole album.

Wherever they're going, we'll still be listening. You can find the entire album Before You Run on iTunes, Spotify, and Amazon. - The Idle Class Magazine

The first three songs on this album are so good you fear for the tracks that come next. From the springy opening guitar notes of "Dream of Me" through the driving "Wild-Eyed Mistake" and the drama of "The Fabric," this triumvirate is a bracing start to this fabulous debut full-length presentation from Little Rock's Whale Fire.

We're happy to report that the other six songs, radio-friendly indie pop anthems with introspective touches, hold up just as well. "Before You Run?" Nah, this band has hit the ground at a full sprint.

Hot tracks: Those first three, of course, the sneaky "U Will Find" and the sprawling album closer, "All Gone, All Along." - Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Whale Fire, not to be confused with London rockers Whales in Cubicles, is a pop four-piece from Little Rock (our first ever band from Arkansas).
John Steel (vocals, guitar), Clay Grubbs (vocals, guitar), Matthew Steel (bass, backing vocals), and Will Vick (drums) will self-release their debut album, Before You Run, on April 30th. They’re unsigned. - Don't Need No Melody

Little Rock's Whale Fire has its debut full-length out this week, and will be showcasing the tunes at this here album release show. It's called Before You Run, and you might be familiar with some of the tunes, including "Dream of Me"and "The Fabric," which were released on a 7" single in September.

Those tracks were solid as a single, but I think they might work even better in the opening half of the album, especially "Dream of Me," which kicks the record off with an emotional start. The fifth track, "Take Fire" kicks up the tempo a bit, giving way to "U Will Find," a jaunty, gentle folk number with the reverb-drenched atmospherics and lush singing that the band has made its calling card.

The album closes with the nine-minute "All Gone, All Along," a shuffling rumination that includes an awesome head fake of feedback and warped sound effects before winding its way to a coda that lingers perhaps just a touch too long. That very minor criticism aside, it's clear the band has put a lot of work and thought into the album and you can hear that in the end result.

Opening up the show will be Whale Fire's fellow travelers The See. - Arkansas Times

Pity the poor festival promoter. While he battles with schedules and budgets and shoehorns a small army of bands across a multitude of genres into a weekend of (hopefully) packed venues and corndog-and-beer-fueled revelry, some geek stands off to the side, arms folded, eyes rolling skyward and mumbles, “Boring.”

Forget that dude. We’re not complaining or peering down our noses. This is more of a “what if” kind of exercise concerning this year’s Arkansas Riverfest lineup on the banks of the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock.

This weekend, the lineup includes the typical mid-level touring acts suited to a festival the size of Riverfest; there’s Bush, Peter Frampton, Sugar Ray, Lupe Fiasco, Darius Rucker, Drive-By Truckers, etc. And there is also an impressive list of native musicians. Arkie bands like Swampbird, Laundry for the Apocalypse, Amasa Hines, Tyrannosaurus Chicken, singer/songwriter Adam Faucett are all over the various stages, and the reuniting of local alt-rock pioneers Ho-Hum should be a major highlight Saturday night at the Clinton Center’s Stickyz Music Stage. Check the whole line-up here.

But what if there were more Natural State bands involved? Who else could take the stage and rock the collective faces off a sunburned and woozy festival crowd? This is our list:

1. Whale Fire
This Little Rock-based alt-rock band has just released its full-length debut, “Before You Run,” which is filled with just the kind of driving, soaring, dreamy pop that would resonate quite well in an outdoor setting. - Bourbon & Boots

The new album from Whale Fire, Before You Run, is here, and the quartet is holding a CD release party at White Water Tavern. The Little Rock band, featuring co-lead vocalists/guitarists John Steel and Clay Grubbs along with Matthew Steel on backing vocals/bass guitar and Will Vick on drums/percussion, is known for its hazy, melodic take on indie rock. The show starts at 9 PM with a $5 cover. - Sync Weekly

After releasing an EP in 2010 followed by a digital single and a 45 (7-inch record) last year, Little Rock-based indie rock band Whale Fire has released its first long-player, Before You Run.

The band - John Steel, guitars and vocals; brother Matthew on bass and backing vocals; guitarist-vocalist Clay Grubbs; and drummer Will Vick - will celebrate the album’s release with a show at Little Rock’s White Water Tavern on Saturday. Fellow Little Rock band The See will open the proceedings.

Whale Fire’s potential was evident on those initial singles (“Wild-Eyed Mistake,” “Dream of Me” and “The Fabric”), and Before You Run is proof that those tracks weren’t flukes. The LP is a fabulous debut, filled with soaring, glimmering pop songs kicked off by that fierce triumvirate of singles and continuing to build throughout its nine songs. Think Kings of Leon with a little Radiohead mixed in and you’re getting close to Whale Fire’s charging, expansive vibe.

Early inklings of the group can be traced back to cover song jam sessions with Matthew Steel and Clay Grubbs when they were North Little Rock High School students in the late ’90s. John Steel, three years Matthew's senior, began sitting in with the nascent band when he was home from college. By 2008, the group was more or less official and Vick, who endeared himself when he showed up at an audition in a Radiohead T-shirt, had joined the fold.

Before You Run was recorded piecemeal at the studio of band pal Michael Stephens, John Steel says, with band members dropping by together and also separately to add parts.

“It’s been a long process,and I’m glad the album is finally done,” Grubbs says.

Like a lot of classic pop, Whale Fire’s fantastically catchy melodies, with their vocal harmonies and echo, often hold lyrics that are darker than their initial sheen would suggest. “The Fabric,” for instance, seems to reflect on a life falling apart, while the album closer, the nearly 10-minute “All Gone, All Along,” sounds like a paean to love until you realize there may be something violent happening as well.

“Lyrically, I guess it is kinda dark,” Steel says. “But I like that we have poppier melodies. It’s very honest.”

“I’ve always liked that idea,” Grubbs says of sunnier melodies wrapped around more ominous lyrics, “but we’re also pretty happy guys.”

All of the band members contribute to the songwriting, Steel adds: “Some of the songs just come from Clay and Will jamming on something and we’ll add to it.”

As for the album’s title, which shows up in the driving, insistent “Wild-Eyed Mistake,” Steel says the group wanted a line from one of the album’s songs and that one stuck.

The self-released album is available for download at iTunes and Amazon.com and is streaming on Spotify. Physical copies will be available at the show, along with other merchandise. And while the band doesn’t have a label, they are open to offers, Grubbs says, while Steel expresses hope that Whale Fire can tour beyond regional shows.

The group has been working on new material, so recent practices have focused on getting back on familiar terms with the Before You Run tracks before the record release show.

“We went back to working on the live material last week,” Grubbs says, “and it’s been a lot of fun playing that stuff again.”

Whale Fire Record Release Show Opening act: The See 9:30 p.m. Saturday, White Water Tavern, 2500 W. Seventh St., Little Rock Admission: $5 (501) 375-8400 whitewatertavern.com, whalefiremusic.com

Weekend, Pages 33 on 05/02/2013 - Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Yea, it’s my BDAY and these are the jamz I’m rockin. Enjoy a little reverse gifting from the Bossasaurus to ya’ll. Virgo power ungh! - Newtown Radio

We previously discussed the use of whale blubber as a source of fuel, concluding that it would burn quite well back when we reviewed US band Whale Fire's previous track 'Wild Eyed Mistake'. While this use may still be common in some arctic cultures, being all green and that we'll discuss it no more and certainly not advise testing its flammability out. Besides, we've got a brace of new songs from the Arkansas band to get listening to instead. A far more environmental and generally more pleasurable experience. This latest 7" single goes some way further to cementing their status among America's fine alternative rock scene.

'Dream Of Me' is a touch like The Kings Of Leon before they decided to be self-important stadium-rock ponces. It's gritty and romantic at the same time, a difficult combination to get right and a good example of how to do it. Maybe we're just awkward, but once again we're finding the B-side the biggest draw here. 'The Fabric' begins with distant reverberating guitars that are joined by a lead further forward in the mix. The melody is stronger too, with an anthemic quality. If it had been us we'd have been pushing this track with the thinking that it would bring wider coverage and a more immediate hit. But we've never sold a record (one made by us at least) in our lives, so what do we know. - The Sound of Confusion- U.K.

I recently stumbled upon Whale Fire's newest single, released late last month. This promising four-piece group blend infectious indie-pop, reverb-drenched instrumentation with oddly contrasting vocals not commonly placed over tracks such as these. With only a previous EP release under their belt, this quartet is worth keeping an eye on. Listen to/download the single below. - SimpleDiggs

Little Rock, Arkansas, is the home for Whale Fire. A rock quartet, as normal, made of two guitars, Clay Grubbs and John Steel, a bass guitar, Matthew Steel, and a set of drums, Will Vick. It is also normal for us to listen to great independent artists that would made major artists flush.
Whale Fire is another name to add to our list We Will Keep An Eye On Them And Won’t Loose Their Full Album. - The Insomnia Radio Network

Little Rock, Arkansas, is the home for Whale Fire. A rock quartet, as normal, made of two guitars, Clay Grubbs and John Steel, a bass guitar, Matthew Steel, and a set of drums, Will Vick. It is also normal for us to listen to great independent artists that would made major artists flush.
Whale Fire is another name to add to our list We Will Keep An Eye On Them And Won’t Loose Their Full Album. - The Insomnia Radio Network

Whale Fire is back. Today they have released two singles, “Dream of Me” and “The Fabric.” Both songs are very good, especially coming off the single they released earlier this summer. For those of you who are not acquainted with Whale Fire, they are an indie pop group out of Little Rock, Arkansas.The four members, lead by vocalist John Steel, recorded this new music in their friend’s home studio, and what they have produced is quite impressive. I especially like “Dream of Me.” The song is dominated by guitar riffs, and Grubb’s voice is a perfect fit. You can listen to the two songs below. Also, if you happen to live in Little Rock, there will be a release show at White Water Tavern.
- Lobos En Bolos

Whale Fire, a four-piece indie rock/pop group from Little Rock, are set to release their 7" titled Dream of Me / The Fabric on September 29th. After hearing their single “Wild-Eyed Mistake” (listen below) from their forthcoming album coming in October/early November, I am quite excited to see what else they are capable of. Whale Fire splits lead vocals/guitar duties between Clay Grubbs and John Steel while Matthew Steel handles the harmonies/bass, and Will Vick takes care of the drums/percussion.

Referring to their upcoming material in John’s own words, “We recently finished recording material for a 7" and a full length album with our good friend Michael Stephens mostly between his spare bedroom and our practice space. The process ended up taking a little longer than we thought it would after the laptop we were using broke and it hit another snag when Michael had to move to Shreveport, LA, but we are finished now and happy with the results.”

Pick up their single Wild-Eyed Mistake for free on their bandcamp page now and check out their website for tour dates and more information. - Lost In The Sound

LITTLE ROCK — We’re going to tell you about the band, and we’re going to tell you about the band’s splendid new single, and the show at which the band will celebrate the release of that single. But before we get there, let’s get this part out of the way.

Whale Fire?

“I wish we had a cool story,” says Whale Fire’s John Steel on the origin of the North Little Rock group’s moniker. “We had gone through a ton of band names and most of them were terrible.”

But then band member Clay Grubbs had a revelation while listening to Andrew Bird’s song “Plasticities.” There was a lyric in the chorus that sounded like “whale fire,” which stuck with Grubbs and seemed like a good name for the four-piece, which also includes John’s brother Matthew, and drummer Will Vick.

This was fine to the rest of the group and the name stuck even after someone noticed that, oh, Andrew Bird wasn’t saying “whale fire” at all. It was actually, “well, fine.”

Doesn’t matter. Whale Fire carries far more poetic heft.

The group marks the release of the new single, “Dream of Me” backed with “The Fabric,” in a Saturday show at White Water Tavern in Little Rock. The single is available at the usual digital outlets and those who make it to the show can grab a copy on good ol’ vinyl.

They are a pair of indiepop tracks, with an expansive and ambitious feel. “Dream …” kicks off with a tight guitar line and Grubbs’ story of dreaming lovers at what may be the end of their respective ropes. It has an atmospheric vibe that concludes with a beautiful, wordless, falsetto chorus and that makes you wish it wouldn’t end quite so soon. It’s a song that began as the band was noodling around during practice one night, Grubbs says, adding that he ended up changing the lyrics right before recording.

John Steel handles vocals on “The Fabric,” which began life as a riff on his acoustic guitar but then was brought to life by the band as a swelling, cascading track that rises to an epic, hypnotic groove.

The self-released songs are the first salvos from the band’s as-yet-untitled debut LP (an eponymous EP was released in 2010), which should be out in a few months. Engineering and mixing of the tracks was handled by band pal Michael Stephens, while the band coproduced with Stephens.

The recording process was “pretty casual for us,” Steel says. The band members would roll into Stephens’ Pizza Party Studios in Sherwood when they had time and get their parts done and piece everything together.

“There was less pressure than with all of us playing together at the same time and trying to lay down a good take,” Grubbs says.

The important part, they say, is getting hold of their live sound in the studio.

“I think we were able to capture the songs the way we wanted them to sound,” says Steel, who, along with his brother and Grubbs, began playing while they attended North Little Rock High School.

For now, the unsigned Whale Fire band mates are content with handling things themselves, though they would not be averse to label offers.

“We like the process of having control and doing things ourselves, but if something legitimate came along our door would be open,” Steel says.

Whale Fire

Opening act: Colin vs. Adam, Sea Nanners

9:30 p.m. Saturday, White Water Tavern, 2500 W. 7th Street, Little Rock - Arkansas Democrat Gazette

There's some real deal, wrestling-with-grown-ups' issues going on in Little Rock quartet Whale Fire's new two-song EP. The tracks — "Dream of Me" and "The Fabric" — are strong, melodic tunes, with reverb-heavy guitars and beautiful vocal harmonies that'll no doubt hit the sweet spot for fans of Fleet Foxes and Band of Horses. On "Dream of Me," Clay Grubbs sings of anxious dreams and relationship stresses. The flip side's "The Fabric" finds John Steel looking through the wreckage of young adulthood, trying to figure out what's really going on and not being certain about what he finds. "The fabric of what I believe / Is falling apart at the seams / I'm losing my touch / How I always thought it would be." Taken with the band's other recent single, "Wild-Eyed Mistake," it's apparent that these guys are building a strong body of work that'll likely form the foundation of a solid long-player. You can pick up a copy of the limited edition 7" single for $7. Also playing this show are the shambolic pop maestros Sea Nanners and former two-dude band (now expanded to a four-dude format) Collin vs. Adam.
- Arkansas Times

Clay Grubbs doesn’t think he has written a “cool” lyric yet. And he doesn’t think the Little Rock band he plays guitar and sings lead vocals in, Whale Fire, has “completely pleased” themselves yet with their music.

“Once I write something where I think I’ve nailed it, I’m going to pack it in,” Grubbs jokingly says.

And so here we are. And here with Whale Fire is a pretty good place. Both for the band and for fans of Arkansas-bred indie rock music. The band — Grubbs along with fellow guitarist and lead vocalist John Steel, Steel’s younger brother Matthew Steel on bass and backing vocals, and Will Vick on drums — is releasing a new 7-inch vinyl record with two tunes from an upcoming, as-of-right-now-untitled album. The band, which formed in late 2008 and released an EP in March 2010, expects to release the full, nine-track album later this year. Perhaps November. But right now, the band is promoting its vinyl record of two songs: “Dream of Me” and “The Fabric.”

“These two songs are keepers,” Grubbs says.

“Dream of Me” starts with a nothing-immediate sway of tinkling, clean guitar along with steady high-hat and snare drum cracks from Vick. Steel’s bass pumps playful notes in the between spaces of the tune. But the lyrics don’t match the languid pace of the tune: “Last night I had a dream that the house was burning down/I wake up next to you; you say you dreamed you had drowned.” Next: a cry of “And I could use a little change,” twirling guitar effects and a dripping guitar intermission between verses. Then harmonies of “oohs” and “ahhs.” A strafing guitar solo that suddenly takes off. It’s hazy, California indie pop.

“The Fabric” is more concrete. More chord-structured and wrapped in wall-of-sound, indie-rocking guitars. The song’s sounds are more layered. Grubbs and John Steel’s guitars swirl. And there are those harmonies again. This time less sunshiny, more warm and autumnal. And Matthew Steel and Vick hold the tune together with Steel’s bass pulsing with notes that fill in empty places but also reinforce Vick’s drumming, including his lightning-quick drum rolls.

“I try not to just be the bass player who doubles the notes that are being played, but try doing some kind of post-punk-y, melodic thing,” Matthew Steel says. “I don’t know if I always succeed or not.”

And let’s not leave out the band’s third tune that has already been released from its forthcoming album. “Wild-Eyed Mistake” is hard-charging yet shambolic, pop-fueled indie rock. A song of churning guitars, surging drums, driving bass and breathless vocals.

All three tunes (and the album’s other six songs) were recorded off and on over the last year by band friend Michael Stephens in a Sherwood house. Stephens and the band both produced the tunes.

“We would go over there and hang out and record, and it kind of went on for a while,” John Steel says. “Our recordings before we had always done live, and we might overdub the vocals or the guitar solo, but this is the first time that we have done multitracking and gone back and layered stuff.”

The leisurely pace of recording allowed the band time for tinkering and discovering the sounds they wanted.

“In a studio, you are paying hourly while with this, we were in a friend’s bedroom and could work on it more,” Matthew Steel says. “We could go back and fix things. Listen to it for a month or week or whatever, and go back and decide if we wanted to change it.”

Whale Fire tunes are built from the ground up. There might be a shred of a melody or a hook. Or, in the case of “Dream of Me,” Grubbs had a riff he and Vick were toying around with when John Steel joined in.

“Just listening to what they do as a collective whole just inspired me,” Vick says. “Mostly Matthew though. With the bass player and drummer being the rhythm, if he plays something cool then I follow it with bass drum and we kind of trade off and feed off each other.”

All of the band members, who range in age from 27 to 33, except for Vick graduated from North Little Rock High School. (Vick is a Parkview Arts Science Magnet High School grad.) Matthew Steel and Grubbs have been friends since the seventh grade, and about a dozen years ago the two along with John Steel started playing music together. No band; just friends playing music.

“We were getting together and playing covers and stuff, and then it was kind of like, ‘Hey, I wrote a song,’” Grubbs says. “And then it just became ...”

“Obvious that we should do something with this,” John Steel says.

Judson Spillyards, who plays with Amasa Hines, passed on Vick’s name and number, and Whale Fire was launched toward the end of 2008. (The band’s name is from a misheard Andrew Bird lyric.)

There’s a rise in maturity from the Whale Fire of the 2010 EP to the Whale Fire releasing this trio of tracks, the band says. The band has progressed. Gotten tighter. More collaborative.

“It started out where we thought we were decent at writing melodies and stuff - Sync

FREE download: here

More from Whale Fire is available via their tumblr. - Sex Music

FREE download: here

More from Whale Fire is available via their tumblr. - Sex Music

Little Rock, Arkansas based dream/pop band Whale Fire released a new single called "Wild-Eye Mistake." The chorus will get you singing along right away and the dreamy guitar riffs right after will complete your desire to keep this song on repeat. This song and some more material will be on their forthcoming 7", and a full-length album will follow soon after. These guys sort of have an Americana sound too, which I like. Give the single a listen below and download if you dig.
- Oh So Fresh! Music

The US seem to be ruling the roost when it comes to indie/alternative music at the moment, and hot on the heels of the other million American bands we've featured come Whale Fire. With all that blubber a whale would probably burn quite well, but I'd rather not find out, so let's listen to their superb debut single, the strummed, melodic and slightly countryish 'Wild-Eyed Mistake'. - The Sound of Confusion

Makes my heart completely melt every time when an artist contacts me && I am so happy that Whale Fire did so. From Little Rock, Arkansas, this indie, pop band has just recently dropped their digital single, Wild-Eyed Mistake as a kick off before they release their first album. Band member, Matthew Steel was kind enough to have sent UAN a bit of Bio on them. Wishing Whale Fire nothing but the best, and cannot wait to hear the album !

" Our band consists of John Steel (guitar/vocals), Clay Grubbs (guitar/vocals), Matthew Steel(bass/harmonies), and Will Vick(drums/percussion). We recently finished recording material for a 7" and a full length album in our friend Michael Stephens' home studio and we are excited to start sharing the results. This is the first track available from the full-length record."

" Setting out on a new frontier
your destination, still unclear" - Up All Night

The US seem to be ruling the roost when it comes to indie/alternative music at the moment, and hot on the heels of the other million American bands we've featured come Whale Fire. With all that blubber a whale would probably burn quite well, but I'd rather not find out, so let's listen to their superb debut single, the strummed, melodic and slightly countryish 'Wild-Eyed Mistake'. - The Sound of Confusion- U.K.

The US seem to be ruling the roost when it comes to indie/alternative music at the moment, and hot on the heels of the other million American bands we've featured come Whale Fire. With all that blubber a whale would probably burn quite well, but I'd rather not find out, so let's listen to their superb debut single, the strummed, melodic and slightly countryish 'Wild-Eyed Mistake'. - The Sound of Confusion- U.K.

This new track from US indie/Americana band Whale Fire is one of the first tracks they've put online and is melodic, slightly countryish strumming that's really quite good, so here it is for free. - SoundsXP- U.K.

"Wild-Eyed Mistake" stream - Pasta Primavera- Baltimore, MD

Then it was off to Sticky Fingerz, for the tail end of Whale Fire, the town’s new popes of pop. Coming out of this month with a strong EP under their belts, the guys consistently bring some of the tightest harmonies and catchiest melody lines you’ll find in the state. Also, their flyers are fantastic. Just saying. - Rock Candy Blog- JT Tarpley

Little Rock's Whale Fire recently released a new single into the world, and you can listen to it right now, right here, for free. You can also go right over yonder and download the track in any number of formats, also gratis.

"Wild-Eyed Mistake" is the name of the tune, and it's a very nice slice of jangly, reverb-drenched guitar pop that portends good things for these dudes. The song works quite well as a single, but it will also be interesting to hear it in the context of the forthcoming album they're working on. - Arkansas Times- Little Rock, AR

The state or Arkansas has given us a remarkable list of talented musicians such as the great Johnny Cash and happily in-your-face, The Gossip.

Four little brothers from Little Rock, aim to take the stage and stand among the greats. And I’m so happy to introduce them. Say hello to Whale Fire, ladies and gentlemen.

If you like indie-rock folksy, Whale Fire are sure to tickle your fancy. Their single, Wild-Eyed Mistake illustrates astounding dreaminess that takes you through lush forestry and heart-felt melodies. To It did for me, anyways. My Morning Jacket had the same effect on me. But seriously, this track is some serious amazeballs in my book. So, take a listen. - Tape and Shuffle- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Little Rock would not be the 1st place I think of when indie pop is on my mind, but Whale Fire prove that their Arkansas city has some intriguing stories to tell. The band has recently released a new single entitled, “Wild-Eyed Mistake”. The vocals remind me heavily of Hamilton Leithauser in the new Heaven-era, full of heavy hearted emotion, over delectable and peaceful riffs.

We can expect a record in the near future. Download the track below: - Hand Clap Movement- Long Island, NY

Whale Fire are a band from Little Rock, Arkansas, and they have a new album coming out in the near future. I may not know a whole lot about them, but from what I’ve heard they make nice indie folk/rock/pop/whatever music that flows easily and sounds completely natural. Their latest single, Wild-Eyed Mistake, demonstrates that this is a young band with a lot of promise and a lot of talent, and it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on them. Download the single for free via the player below and check out Whale Fire on Facebook. - And Pluck Your Strings- Melbourne, Australia

Whale Fire- Wild-Eyed Mistake - All.We.Create- London, U.K.

Dare I say the lead singer of this band Whale Fire, sounds remarkably like the great Bob Dylan at times. The band consists of John Steel (guitar/vocals), Clay Grubbs (guitar/vocals), Matthew Steel(bass/harmonies), and Will Vick(drums/percussion). They recently finished recording material for a 7" and a full length album in their friend Michael Stephens’ home studio and are excited to start sharing the results. This is the first track available from the full-length record. Their hometown location reflects a lot about them as a band, North Little Rock Arkansas. Get this, they're unsigned…WHAT!? I would say their sound could be compared to Mumford and Sons, guitar powers with melody driven choruses. Can’t help but LOVE their sound. Not our fault we like good music…Thanks for reaching out Matt..Great stuff! FREE DOWNLOAD!!!! Get Your Ears Wet! - The Eargazm

Whale Fire is an indie pop group out of Little Rock, Arkansas. Two years after releasing their debut EP, the band has decided to record more of their current music. In anticipation to their new album, they have decided to release a free single: “Wild-Eyed Mistake.” Along with the album (which will come out this fall), Whale Fire also plans to release another single later this summer. In comparison to their first EP, it is clear the band has developed in a positive direction. The new single features the vocals of John Steel as well as upbeat melodies and reverb guitar throughout. Amazingly enough, this song was partially mixed and engineered in their friend’s bedroom. I really wonder how these four musicians will sound when they record in an actual studio, and I can’t wait to listen to their upcoming album. You can download (For free!) and listen to “Wild-Eyed Mistake” below. - Lobos En Bolos

After a long night and little sleep, I wandered over to North Little Rock to see what this Whale Fire show was going to be all about. Apparently, 107 Liquor of Sherwood is sponsoring these block party-esque events in conjunction with Saturdays that the Arkansas Twisters & Travs both have games. With the cooperation of downtown North Little Rock, the block between 3rd & 4th Streets on Main Street were closed between 4:30 and 6pm. There was stage set up facing the river nearer 4th street. I got down there a little after 4:30 and was greeted to Whale Fire already playing. There were I'd say around 40 people when I got there and it had dwindled down to 20 or so by the time 6:30 rolled around. Whale Fire went through their whole collection of songs, played a few new ones, and also threw in a few covers for good measure. The sound was surprisingly better than I thought it'd be, and I'm looking forward to seeing a few more shows like it in the near future. I found a site that had the dates for the series of concerts, but it doesn't list which bands are playing at the moment. I'm supremely interested in keeping up with this because I think it's an awesome idea. Anyways, I saw several people who I'd never think would be Whale Fire fans, but they proved me wrong. The show was free, got people out in the nice weather, and I think it's safe to say that we all had a great time. Now if only the boys of Whale Fire had that EP out. I know T & I are looking very forward to it. - LittleRockLiveMusic.net

Ok let me preface this by saying, this is the first review I have written in almost 6 months. It took local band Whale Fire kicking ass at White Water to get me back into the whole Little Rock Live Music thing. If it were not for Lizzie, this site would have been finished a long time ago. First off thanks goes out to her for keeping this thing alive and second, thanks goes out to Whale Fire for being the next best thing Little Rock's scene has to offer. If you missed tonight's show, you missed out. The first time I saw Whale Fire they were filling in for Isaac Alexander's cancelled show at White Water several months ago. Honestly, they were not that great then.

I have no idea what happened between now and then but seriously, they get better every time I see them. I remember catching another White Water show after that and a ground breaking show at Juanita's a few months ago. These guys must rehearse forty hour weeks because I have never seen a band turn around so fast. Unfortunately I missed the last couple of shows at Circa '76 and downtown. I am half battling a cold and I was still not going to miss the show at White Water for anything.

They definitely did not disappoint the several people that made it out Saturday night. The rumor mill has them playing another time in April and a possible Riverfest outing in May. An album or possible EP is in the works and I cannot wait to see what they come up with. The next time they play, don't miss them. Seriously. - LittleRockLiveMusic.net

Finally. One of the finest young local bands to emerge lately celebrates the release of its debut EP with a concert at White Water. I say “finally” because, after forming in 2008 and performing memorably in last year's Musicians Showcase, Whale Fire hoped to release this album in the spring. But, ultimately, the band decided to recut the EP with Little Rock producer extraordinaire Will Boyd. Now that it's got something to leave behind, the quartet, which specializes in bright, hook-heavy pop-rock, plans to take the show on the road. - Arkansas Times- Lindsey Millar

Finally. One of the finest young local bands to emerge lately celebrates the release of its debut EP with a concert at White Water. I say “finally” because, after forming in 2008 and performing memorably in last year's Musicians Showcase, Whale Fire hoped to release this album in the spring. But, ultimately, the band decided to recut the EP with Little Rock producer extraordinaire Will Boyd. Now that it's got something to leave behind, the quartet, which specializes in bright, hook-heavy pop-rock, plans to take the show on the road. - Arkansas Times- Lindsey Millar