IN CONCERT: FREELANCE WHALES

The Freelance Whales have only begun selling out shows as headliners this week.  Last night they played at The Black Cat in DC to a capacity crowd on the same night that local favorites Thievery Corporation played The 9:30 Club a few blocks away and We Are Scientists were playing just upstairs.

(Read more on the Brooklyn band's performance after the jump)

After Miami-based openers Animal Tropical finished, the Freelance Whales wasted little time taking the stage for their show.  Lead-singer Judah Dadone pushed his glasses up his nose with his index finger and began strumming the banjo.  The band-members all leaned into their microphones to harmonize the chirping melody, and the Freelance Whales opened with the jump-starting 'Generator ^ 1st Floor':

Swapping instruments throughout the show is one nice touch from a band that doesn't like any of its members finding a comfort zone with any one musical instrument.  The only non-participant in this game of musical chairs was the drummer, though using a tin watering can as percussion is certainly a creative little innovation.

The band, having been assembled from a Craigslist ad placed by Judah, took several songs to really find their groove.  Perhaps the young band, having been together barely a year, is still discovering their feet as a communal organism.  Somewhere before set's end, the instruments began to flow together seamlessly and the creative promise of the group took form.  We have a lot to look forward to in the future from the child-like creativity of the Freelance Whales.