Whitney

Formed in 2014 by guitarist Max Kakacek of Smith Westerns and drummer Julien Ehrlich of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Whitney create laid-back Americana with a dreamy, lovelorn slant. Following the dissolution of Smith Westerns and Ehrlich’s departure from UMO, the Chicago-based pair decided to experiment with writing from a more personal point of view. Whitney released their debut Light Upon the Lake in 2016, with follow-up Forever Turned Around released in 2019.

Forever Turned Around is an album about relationships. It deals with how they evolve or flounder and how loneliness can creep in unexpectedly. Penultimate track “Friend of Mine” captures this sentiment beautifully. The emotional centerpiece of the album, it builds to a crescendo during the chorus with Ehrlich singing of an old acquaintance,”While you’re drifting away / Like a cloud hanging over the pines.” Happiness can be fleeting but this album proves that even when it feels like time is turning on its head and there’s either a moment of clarity or crippling doubt, there’s still beauty in figuring it all out.

In 2020 Whitney released 'Candid' a critically acclaimed covers record.

Whitney played Other Voices as part of series 18.

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