Meet the Bands of MusicfestNW Presents Project Pabst 2017: Whitney

Seems the bigger Whitney gets, the more invested it is in radiant, lo-fi pop from a bygone era.

By Mark Stock

We're only a few week away from MusicfestNW presents Project Pabst! As the festival gets closer, we'll be introducing you to each of the 18 acts on the lineup, one at a time.

Whitney

WHO: Julien Ehrlich (drums, vocals), Max Kakacek (guitar), Malcolm Brown (keyboards), Josiah Marshall (bass), Will Miller (horns), Print Chouteau (guitar).

SOUNDS LIKE: The reincarnation of Jim Ford's soulful twang

FOR FANS OF: Foxygen, Smith Westerns, Jerry Butler, Gram Parsons.

LATEST RELEASE: A new single featuring crafty, retro covers of Dolly Parton's "Gonna Hurry (Slow As I Can)" and "You've Got A Woman" from little-known '70s Dutch psych-soul act Lion

WHY YOU CARE: Portlanders are likely familiar with Julien Ehrlich, a southern Oregon native who once drummed for Unknown Mortal Orchestra. He now commands the trap kit and vocals with right-hand man Max Kakacek, whose deft and melodic guitar riffs originally formed the backbone of beloved and belated indie-glam band Smith Westerns. Last year, Whitney dropped Light Upon The Lake, a blissful, '70s-inspired folk-rock record with decidedly soulful leanings. Following the lead of the many great, large-scale R&B acts with roots in their home-base of Chicago, the duo has since swollen into a sextet, fit with keys, bass and brass. Seems the bigger Whitney gets, the more invested it is in radiant, lo-fi pop from a bygone era.

Related: "After Years of Bouncing From Band to Band, Whitney's Julien Ehrlich Finds Satisfaction—and Acclaim—by Only Playing for Himself."

SEE IT: Whitney plays MusicfestNW presents Project Pabst at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on Sunday, Aug. 26.

MusicfestNW presents Project Pabst is Aug. 26-27 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Get tickets here.

Welcome to MusicfestNW presents Project Pabst || An Annotated Guide to Iggy Pop's Body || Beck's Multiple Personalities || A Super-High Die Antwoord Videography || Nas' Greatest Beefs || Father John Misty: Genius or Troll? || How I Learned to Love Spoon || Five Facts About Lizzo || Filthy Friends Q&A || Frankie Cosmos || White Reaper || RVIVR || Noname || FIDLAR || Whitney || Pup || San Fermin ||  The Last Artful, Dodgr || Lithics || Beer, Food, Games & More