Hailing from the heart of the Midwest, the Whiles (formerly known as Mrs. Children) eschew the punk rock and lo-fi sounds that the "Cowlumbus" sound has been more (in) famously known for a softer gentler approach that reflects perhaps more of the sound of the seasons than the brush back sounds that have emanated from Columbus over the past twenty-years or so.
Taking their cues from the spiritual side of their collective hearts (principal songwriter Joe Peppercorn is a professional organ play and Latin teacher) "Colors of the Year" touches on the gentler side of love and longing, with wonderful three-part harmonies and distant echoes of Nick Drake, The Zombies and Eric Anderson to new/old fangled sounds such as Belle and Sebastian, Ron Sexmith and The Smiths. But as all talented bands they don't wear their influences on their sleeve - they mesh them into their own wonderful noise.
Self produced with some engineering duties by Jon Chinn (New Bomb Turks), "Colors of the Year" is a great leap forward from their self-released EP "Break My Back," which garnered the band mention on Rolling Stone magazine's issue on "Ten Most Rocking College Towns." Their demo at the time landed them on the cover of the Columbus Alive weekly and they have managed to make a fairly rabid following in the Midwest.
Formed five years ago by high school classmates (yes, they are that young) the band (as Mrs. Children) played in clubs during that time. It wasn't until they shed their former guitarist and replaced him with brother Matt Peppercorn that Joe felt the music strings loosen and made the epic leap into the breathtaking songwriter he is. Sit back and listen to another voice of the Y generation. No props, no gimmicks, and no screams - just the simple ache of longing.
Swinging
