Biography
Colorado duo In the Whale built a minimalist yet heavy sound drawing from punk, garage, hardcore, and straight-ahead rock & roll, and their D.I.Y. approach carried them toward gradual national recognition throughout the mid-2010s. The project centered on singer/guitarist Nate Valdez and drummer/singer Eric Riley, both of the Denver band, who issued a run of self-released indie EPs that grew steadily more prominent—among them 2014’s Nate & Eric and 2015’s Full Nelson—securing high-profile support slots and slots at festivals such as Lollapalooza and Riot Fest.
Valdez launched the band in 2010 while studying at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, initially treating it as a solo endeavor. Once he joined forces with Riley to form a guitar-and-drums duo, the pair moved to Denver in 2012 and cut their debut EP, Cake, which spread their name across the state and landed them an opening slot with the Photo Atlas. Their next release, the 2014 EP Nate & Eric, performed well on college radio; combined with national tour dates alongside Jane’s Addiction, Guttermouth, and the Presidents of the United States of America, it expanded their reach beyond Colorado.
The third self-released EP, Full Nelson, arrived in 2015 and sustained the upward climb, drawing strong critical notice while adding appearances at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. That same year the duo briefly collaborated with Red Bull Sound Select to capture the two-song single “Neighbor,” produced by noise rock band No Age. Touring remained relentless, soon incorporating shows with the Darkness and Nashville Pussy, before the pair headed back into the studio for their fourth EP, Dopamine, issued in 2018.
Valdez launched the band in 2010 while studying at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, initially treating it as a solo endeavor. Once he joined forces with Riley to form a guitar-and-drums duo, the pair moved to Denver in 2012 and cut their debut EP, Cake, which spread their name across the state and landed them an opening slot with the Photo Atlas. Their next release, the 2014 EP Nate & Eric, performed well on college radio; combined with national tour dates alongside Jane’s Addiction, Guttermouth, and the Presidents of the United States of America, it expanded their reach beyond Colorado.
The third self-released EP, Full Nelson, arrived in 2015 and sustained the upward climb, drawing strong critical notice while adding appearances at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. That same year the duo briefly collaborated with Red Bull Sound Select to capture the two-song single “Neighbor,” produced by noise rock band No Age. Touring remained relentless, soon incorporating shows with the Darkness and Nashville Pussy, before the pair headed back into the studio for their fourth EP, Dopamine, issued in 2018.
Albums
Singles
