ARTIST HISTORY

Vancouver's Whitfield recently completed their new album entitled "Well Behaved & Working For You". The album was recorded over 2 intense weeks with producers The Glitter Twins at Oregon City's Supernatural Sound, one of the most reputable studios in the North West. A handful of advance copies generated extraordinary reviews and interest in the group, and the CD release event was sold-out before the band hit the stage.

In the last few months, Whitfield has won 'Best Pop/Rock Song' at the 2006 Independent Music Awards (International), 'Best of The Fest' award at NewMusicWest 2006, 'Peoples Choice' award at Toronto Indie Week, and the 'Best Alternative Group' at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. The band also supported British multi-platinum group Athlete last year at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver.

Originally from the UK, singer Jobie Mallett united with drummer Sam Bastedo and bassist Josh McCulloch in Kamloops, BC. The trio then relocated to Vancouver where they found guitarist Jordan Irwin to complete the lineup. Since moving to Vancouver two years ago, Whitfield has exploded from modest beginnings into an act of international calibre.

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Well Behaved And Working For You

POSTED BY: whitfield

POSTED ON: 05/10/07 22:28:07

Cord Magazine (www.cordmag.com) The latest British export that everyone is buzzing... The latest British export that everyone is buzzing about is Whit.... what? They're from Vancouver? Well colour me stunned... Vancouver has never been able to call a band of this world-dominating calibre their own before. Whitfield is a band that has honest to goodness exploded from modest beginnings into this soaring, flowing, feel-good cascade of Britpopperiness. And this new record proves that without a doubt. Starting up with "Bright Lights," a song that makes Chris Martin look like child's play, they roll easily into the haunting, somehow dangerous-sounding "She Takes Me." Reverb-y guitars, thumping drums, and layer upon gorgeous layer of shimmering noise billow out of the speakers. Jobie Mallett's voice carries a slight earthiness as he sings drifting lines, powerful strains, and even lilting accents. Have you ever found yourself in a place so impossibly beautiful that your only reaction to it is that your legs simply have to collapse under the sudden weight of your emotions and you want nothing but to sit there and stare at it for the rest of your life? That's what this album is like. Only for your ears. The amazing up-step on old favourite "Circles" is gut-wrenching. What is that crazy guitar effect?! I can't believe the path this band has trod upon in the last couple years. This is what progress is all about, folks. Listen up, learn a lesson. Alongside all the flowy ambient albums that have poured mainly out of the UK in the last while, this one annihilates a lot of them (it's far more exciting and well put together than, say the Arctic Monkeys. What's the deal with them anyhow? Monkeys?) and easily fits into the empty space in the Really Fucking Good Band puzzle your mom bought you for Christmas. Athlete? Completely not even close. Coldplay? Aren't you sick to death of Coldplay by now? Maybe the Doves can walk hand-in-hand with Whitfield. It's a beautiful thing. It still reminds me a lot of Palo Alto (mostly vocally), but a thousand times more exciting. "Wait" carries the delicacy of water-filled crystal with the love of Cupid and the comfort of a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. The guitar work throughout the album is hands-down amazing, running an enormous gamut of vibes and tilts, telling stories on its own behind the vocals and strings. The 'danger' aspect seems to run rampant through the songs, even though the themes are sweet and loving. Low, thrumming bass - so low you barely realize it's there - and those sad, sad guitar notes, the taffy-pulled vocals all add up to a weird eeriness. Neat. "Shining" is colourful - the chorus is like a carnival. Oh ho ho how funny, as a song and a half later, the word 'rollercoaster' comes in. That tune, "The Place You're At," is the black sheep of the album (aside from the staticy interlude that preceded it). It's a plinking, plucking tune, reminding me of guys playing giant stand-up basses. It's a song one could do some snarky Spanish dance to. And then poof, back into the snarly and guitar-laden driftitude. What a groovy flow this thing has. "Sad Case Soul" is so much fun - upbeat and edgy, filled with big poppy harmony-laden choruses, and leaning more towards a Suede or Travis type of energy. That's followed by a song that is pretty well a waltz. The bass pumps up near the tail of this one, urging the album along into its final throes. Ghosts of vocals pour over the last few seconds until we die out in a soft distant ocean wave... These guys are showcasing their versatility no holds barred. Honestly, how is something like this humbly doting about Vancouver instead of already eating the planet whole? I think Whitfield is still tying the bib around its neck so it doesn't get the mess of millions of crappy bands all over the front of its crisp rock n roll shirt. If record labels aren't lining up, salivating with contracts and pens in hand and scrambling to be the first to get to these guys once this album hits the streets, I'll be surprised. And throwing in the towel. It's perfectly on par with the sort of music one finds mega popular with everyone from moms to 14 year olds, jocks to shoegazers. It's accessible and actually musical, without being haughty or boring. It's, as said, on par, only way more creative and entertaining than most of the radio schlock nowadays. The radio needs this band. The wait was definitely worth it. Challenging to choose a favourite - the initial punch of "Bright Lights" is fabulous though, so sheerly based on timing, I'll stick with that. The Best Band You've Never Heard [- Hide] Neil Pobran, The Kamloops Omega To a crowd of about 60 people, Whitfield ripped ou... To a crowd of about 60 people, Whitfield ripped out a sound unfamiliar to the Heroes crowd. While I sat there, I thought I was in London, maybe Wales, definitely somewhere over the Atlantic, because Whitfield's sound is purely British. I sat there compelled by their layered vocals, bass, and drums. It was the perfect mix of harmonic voice, high-scale guitar, and British insurgence to make your feet tap and your political beliefs sway. During their third song, audience participation was incorporated, with 3 members singing along in a mic. The band played a track off their first CD titled simply "You". It was a nice change. The audience members proved that music in its simplest form is still the best. Halfway through the set, Jobie, changed the pace by playing a song called Shelter, and it was obvious by the bobbing of heads, the tapping of feet, and the lifting of pints, Whitfield's music is rich and pure. The lyrics speak to many levels of human emotion. Take note because Whitfield is a name you will hear again. Whitfield Shows they're Pioneers of Rock with Heroes Show [- Hide] Robyn Roste, oMega A&E Editor Anyone present at Heroes Pub last Friday now has a... Anyone present at Heroes Pub last Friday now has a better idea of where rock music is heading. Vancouver bands Sweetheart and Whitfield came to town and played to a semi-packed somewhat familiar crowd. Despite a slow start, Sweetheart really did a great job preparing the crowd for the progressive tones of Whitfield. Whitfield took over the stage with somewhat higher energy. The obvious UK influence was downplayed with Coldplay-esq riffs and U2 passion in the lyrics. Add some crazy guitar effects and you have an enjoyable evening. The mere fact that it's hard to compare Whitfield to another band completely says this band is really going somewhere. Unfortunately they may be better off in Europe. Vancouver might not be ready for where rock is going. The ultimate highlight of the night was an instrumental piece that Whitfield used to end off their set. Sam Bastedo really let loose on drums, veering from his regular fill, and Josh McCulloch looked like he was having a great time on bass - it was completely wonderful. This band is full of talent and will certainly go far. Although their sound is generally more accepted overseas let's hope that is crosses the ocean in the near future. Circles [- Hide] Andy - Cordmag.com One of Vancouver's most recent transplants (by way... One of Vancouver's most recent transplants (by way of Kamloops, by way of the UK) has arrived just at a time when this city needs them. With Whitfield's help, we may just be able to to turn Vancouver's music scene on its heels... you know, in a circle-like... and give it a big, fat, new, delicious layer it has been missing for yonks. Hey, did you get my cool joke back there? Man, I am clever. Anyways, listen to this, then join these fellas and give them a warm welcome when they play a bar near you. Guaranteed to pull you under a blanket of lolling rolling roiling spacecraftitude... and if that makes no sense to you, well dang, just launch the player already! A Taste Of Things To Come [- Hide] Sonny Thinda If this was a taste of the new incarnation of Whit... If this was a taste of the new incarnation of Whitfield, I can't wait for the upcoming shows that will only continue to rock those fortunate enough to attend. Impressed by the melodic, rhythmic, driving songs with the perfect pop edge, I felt the show today was great given that the boys have been away from the stage for a fair bit. It took a little while for the soundman to get the right mix, but by midset, the boys were in their groove and built things up to a crescendo by the end of the set. The songs felt like they had a harder edge, without compromising the pop quality that makes the songs great. I'm sure they will be disecting and analyzing the performance...which is good...but continue in the same vein and you can't go wrong. Cheers and see you all at the next gig.

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