Southern Resident Killer Whales

Minneapolis-based alternative rock/craft pop quartet Southern Resident Killer Whales “...makes an indelible mark...balancing quirky humor, clever slice-of-life observations, and raw emotion” (89.3 The Current)

“...and if the phrase ‘Craft Pop’ evokes something between a workbench and great deal of focused labor and, well, a fine beer,” writes North Minneapolis’ Camden News, “well, that’s sort of the point.” While many in the alt-rock scene favor a guitar-driven “wall of sound,” Southern Resident Killer Whales remain steadfastly driven by the craft of the song, applying their efforts at lifting the melodies, the harmonies, and the words, which Rift Magazine proclaims as “…fresh, smart, yet deeply personal and emotional words capturing life’s significant moments and its lessons taught”

Musically, the ‘Whales’ catchy yet sophisticated acoustic-driven pop sounds something like a slightly offbeat Glen Hansard meets a slightly upbeat Morrissey, with songs that range from intimate chamber-pop arrangements with horn to driving, harmony-laden indie rock. Lyrically, frontman and songwriter Dan Hylton bares all with a words that alternate between potent advocacy and those with an almost embarrassing level of intimacy. He strives to write the sort lyrics that, in his words, “make people feel like they just had a conversation with a really good friend:”

Hylton calls his Southern Resident Killer Whales “the most trippy” band he has fronted to date, enjoying the ability of his bandmates to “take each song where it wants to go.” The formally-trained multi-instrumentalists Mark Anderson (bass, horns,mandolin), and Krista Johnson (drums, percussion, keys), along with versatile guitarist Brian Siegel add the depth formal training and theory to Hylton’s varied original works, and variety to live shows.

Southern Resident Killer Whales is seen most frequently at Minneapolis area craft breweries, festivals, and fundraising events where their music - catchy, cool, and not over-the-top - is right at home in support of a lively, upbeat scene.