Said the
 Whale: The Real Deal


There’s no shortage of arrogance in the world of rock ‘n’ roll. Oasis have called themselves the greatest band in the world. Kanye West has declared himself the “voice of this generation.” Some musicians love to flaunt their oversized egos, and then there are those who shatter expectations.


If ever there was a band that personified the word “modest,” then Vancouver’s Said the Whale is it. I recently caught up with frontman, Tyler Bancroft, to talk about his band’s second-place finish in the Peak Performance Project, the Vancouver music scene and much more.


Said the Whale has been on a slow but steady rise to popularity. The band got its start back when friends Tyler Bancroft and Ben Worcester (guitars/vocals) played music together while attending Eric Hamber Secondary in Vancouver. They soon decided it was time to take their music more seriously, so they approached high-school acquaintance Spencer Schoening about playing drums. Fast-forward to today and the band’s lineup is rounded out by Peter Carruthers on bass and lone lady Jaycelyn Brown on keyboards.


From their earliest days, Said the Whale have been hailed as local indie-music darlings, with two acclaimed albums under their belts, Islands Disappear and Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia. But the most recent chapter in the band’s history has set them up to reach another level in the music industry. Recently placing second in The Peak Performance Project came with a career-changing prize of $75,000.


“It’s going to mean huge things for us,” says Bancroft. “It’s going to be incredible to have an album that’s paid for because for a band that hits the road in support of a new album – to have that album already paid for – is unfathomable.”


Beyond their recent local achievements, the indie pop-rockers are also making waves on the international sonar, with exposure on a couple of very popular MTV reality shows.


“We had a few songs featured on Jersey Shore… same with Sixteen and Pregnant. MTV has our record and then just had a blanket-free license on it.”


Even though the band sees the benefit of having songs like their catchy hit single, Camilo (The Magician) featured on hit TV shows, they did receive some backlash from their fans.


“Fans have definitely been like, ‘Oh, what the hell? You guys are sellouts!’ And we’re just kind of like, ‘Actually, we’re not getting paid.’ But, you know, if we can get one more fan out of it, that’s fine, we’ll take it. As crazy as it is, you have to take any leverage you can get in the music industry.”


But fans with concerns about the band selling out need not worry. Winning the $75,000 and having their songs on hit TV shows has not changed the core of these musicians. As their prize money is designated for artist development, the band members still hold day jobs. Tyler works on a tugboat, Ben is a hammock salesman, Jaycelyn is a barista at Starbucks, Spencer works in a restaurant while Peter is currently between jobs.


Beyond the fact that their feet are still firmly planted on the ground, Said the Whale’s connection to their fans is as interactive as ever. Boasting over 10,000 likes on Facebook, Bancroft takes the time to reply to almost every post the band receives. And as Said the Whale expands their fan base, his plan is to keep up the lines of communication.


“It’s just going to take more time. If we had 100,000 likes on Facebook, that would be great. I think we’ll always just try to stay on top of it. It’s the least we can do. If [fans] are going to pay money for our music, or listen to it, or tell their friends about it, then we owe them some communication. I just really hope that we’ll always be able to do it. It’s not an issue at this point; it’s totally manageable and I would like to make it always that way.”


Among the band’s many fans are some of Vancouver’s most acclaimed musicians: The Zolas, Dan Mangan, Hannah Georgas, just to name a few. So when Said the Whale recently approached Vancouver’s finest to take part in their viral video, We Are The Music: Musicians for (Spare) Change, a song Bancroft describes as “a really cheesy song about being broke musicians,” they had no problem getting the who’s who of the indie music scene onboard. And this show of support is something Bancroft and the band are extremely grateful for.


“In Vancouver, there seems to be a very welcoming sense of community. I get the sense that everyone is always rooting for everybody else. Success for one artist in Vancouver only illuminates the city more. I mean, Dan Mangan is the perfect example. The guy has absolutely blown into the stratosphere. All that does is create attention for Vancouver.”


Headed for the stratosphere themselves, Said the Whale’s message is simple and it’s the reason so many fans relate to their music.


“It’s just enjoying writing music that is honest and a reflection of 20-somethings probably going through the same stuff that a lot of other 20-somethings are going through, and that a lot of high-school kids are going through as well. (voice cracks) Like puberty! See, it just hasn’t set in yet! Still working on it.” (laughs)


Relatable, down-to-earth and genuine, Said the Whale doesn’t really fit the status quo when it comes to your stereotypical rock band. And when asked to describe the band in three words, Bancroft pauses to reflect.


“‘Honest’ for sure is one of the words that I would use. Then, passionate or heartfelt and fun. We’re all just having a great time being in the band, and I don’t mean that in a cheesy way, but genuinely, we enjoy what we’re doing and I think that comes through in the music.”


To quote their hit song, Camilo (The Magician), Said the Whale sets themselves apart from superficial bands these days by truly illustrating, “the difference between real and show.”