What sets Eric Riley and Nate Valdez apart from other heavy acts isn’t their musicianship (though it is excellent) but their ability to translate unflinchingly raw moments into music. Starting with INTHEWHALE’s last EP, Dopamine, the band’s tone shifted from the sophomoric humor of their earlier releases to brutally honest explorations of the darker moments of life. These explorations continue on Vanishing Point. The band wrestles with pharmaceutical addiction, suicidal ideation and gentrification. The pain and anger is palpable.
Continue readingTag: In the Whale
Drum As You Are: Eric Riley Throws Down The Beat As A Black Musician In Metal
Even with all the fun Eric Riley has thrashing onstage with his longtime friend Nate Valdez, there is always that one drunk person who has to point it out: a black guy in a metal band!
“I mean, there’s not a lot of diversity [in the Colorado Metal scene] but it’s not really anyone’s fault,” said Riley, drummer for heavy rock duo In The Whale.
Riley grew up listening to black soul artists from the 60’s and 70’s, but the harder rock acts were where his heart was.
Continue readingThe Block Party 2017 – Downtown Greeley
In The Whale – Not Their First Rodeo
For Nate Valdez and Eric Reilly of the two-piece rock band In The Whale, the last seven years has been a wild ride on the slow burn to success. From their humble beginnings in the early days of the Greeley music scene to their grind touring at a national level, In The Whale has evolved both sonically and professionally.
Continue readingAlbum Review: In The Whale – Quicksand EP
Since In the Whale began they have been a band not afraid to take chances. Bands starting out usually have certain hurdles they have to get over to reach the next level. Recording professionally, marketing, a solid live show, and hitting the road are all things bands face on their journey to making it. While others stumble, In the Whale has leapt forward each time, embracing whatever comes. Their latest EP, Quicksand, is proof all of these things are coming together in a big way.
Continue readingIn The Whale @ Moxi Theater
Photography by Ben Stivers
Continue readingIn The Whale at the Aggie Theatre
BandWagon Magazine Presents In The Whale with Slow Caves, American Blackout and Lion Drome at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins.
Continue readingTails From The Trails With In The Whale
It wasn’t always this way though. In the Whale got their start after Valdez recorded an acoustic EP titled Songs About You and drummer Eric Riley’s previous project dissolved. In the early days at AF Ray’s (Greeley’s only rock venue at the time) I personally witnessed them clear the room night after night as they searched for what would become their signature sound.
Continue reading