It all started once a band called Smith Westerns broke up. That’s when Julien Ehrlich and Max Kakacek began another band called Whitney (which, believe it or not, is a group of seven members total). Their album Light Upon the Lake was just recently released in 2016, and for being such a fresh debut, the band has had much success. They’ve sold out shows in major cities (so make sure to buy tickets before this show sells out). And they’ve even been interviewed by one of their biggest fans, Sir Elton John, for the New York Times.

Whitney’s sound is soft, subtle and heartfelt–easy-listening for a young soul in summer. There’s also a vintage tone to it, from the poppy guitar to the dashes of piano to Julien’s sugary falsettos. And while the songs “sound” as though they are happy songs because of their overall, dreamy tone, if you give them a hard listen or take a quick read at some of their lyrics you’ll discover that they aren’t actually all that happy. In “Dave’s Song” they sing “I know it’s hard to give up when you don’t want to be saved. Take me in your heart again. And I know how to keep you hung up, but I won’t do it again. Oh, I know I wish you were my friend.” And then on other tracks like “Light Upon the Lake” and “On My Own” you can hear how nostalgic their sound can be–best suited in a pivotal scene in a super-indie flick. 

Jonathan Rado of the band Foxygen helped produce their album, released on Secretly Canadian Records. They’ve played SXSW and are scheduled to play Coachella and Shaky Knees Festival this summer.

Brooklyn Steel

May 24

8 p.m.

$20

axs.com