So what is a Havania Whaal? Havania Wall? Whale? Wail?
Drummer Noelle Magia says she and her band/housemates Kelly A.D. and Paul Billy were just having fun. "Just words we made up" she says, "we like seeing how people say it/spell it. " Whatever it is, their EP Chateau de Chienne is a full bodied vintage of brood-gaze. There is a touch of pop, a little spice, and a nice long finish in lo-fi. Some tracks such as "Foine"indulge in sing-song "get your motor running" anthems, but mostly the band is moving in a heavier direction. "Real Surreal", "Moths", and "Codeine Dreams" are examples; building on heavy bass and dead-pan choruses with a swirl of feedback threatening in the background, then lashing into alternating rhythms and bang-out basement rock.
Havania Whaal plays Habesha April 12th to raise funds for their East coast tour which starts later this month at NYC’s The Cake Shop. Also on the bill Saturday at Habesha are Máscaras, Love And Caring, and Muzzy. Go fill your ears with guitar fuzz and give them some money. – Brandy Crowe