Ottawa Citizen: Said the Whale becomes a smaller band tackling heavier topics

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Said the Whale 1

Said the Whale
What: One of 10 bands playing free concerts at the Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival
When: June 22 to 25
Where: Mooney’s Bay Park
Info: dragonboat.net

Said the Whale turned 10 this year. That’s a milestone in the career of any band. It is rarely reached without struggles and the Juno Award-winning Vancouver indie rockers have had theirs.

For the release of its fifth album, titled As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide, the group has shrunk from a quintet to a trio.

Bassist Nathan Shaw and longtime drummer Spencer Shoening left the band following 2013’s hawaii. The band’s fourth album delivered the Canadian rock/alternative chart-topping single I Love You. Touring was relentless and remaining founding members Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester both admitted burnout. Keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown rounds out the trio.