Profile: White Rabbits
Words: Mischa Pearlman
Superstition has it that on the first of each month you’re meant to say “Rabbit rabbit white rabbit” before you say anything else. If you do, you’ll have good luck for the rest of month. And luck certainly seems to be going White Rabbits’ way at the moment over in the States. With the impending release of their debut album in the
UK, now could be the start of very exciting time for them overseas as well. A democratic collective of mid-to-late-20-somethings who used to live in the same
Brooklyn loft together, the band boast two vocalists, two drummers and a piano alongside the usual bass and guitars. Interestingly, this somewhat unusual line-up was more accidental than anything.
“I used to play drums when we first started the band,” explains Stephen Patterson, “but when we moved to
Brooklyn things were going really slowly, so we decided to mix it up a bit. I moved to piano, which I had marginal knowledge of how to play but really just figured it out. And then, over time, I just became a more prominent vocalist. There’s no competition between me and Greg (Roberts, the other vocalist), which is unfortunate for you music magazines, but it’s great for the band.”
Things began to move faster after the changes were made. Which, considering they all have regular jobs in addition to the band, is testament to the hard work and dedication they put into it. “You have to work a lot here to make sure you can pay your rent,” says Steve. “Everything is faster and has higher stakes and all that crap about
New York, you know, but that inspires you to work harder on what you really want to do in life.”
Invariably, the conversation turns towards the primaries being held in
America right now. “I think I’m maybe the idealist of the group, but I’m still surprised when people tell me McCain (one of the Republican candidates) has a shot. Perhaps I have more faith in humanity than I should, that people will have learned their lessons, but I think absolutely the choice that’s being made right now is the choice of who’s going to be the new President. Is it going to be Hilary or is it going to be Obama? I don’t think the Republican Party has a chance this time around.”
“Rabbit rabbit white rabbit” – let’s hope that phrase affects more than just musical fortune…
‘Fort Nightly’ is released on Fierce Panda on March 10th.
