For Your Fleet Fox-esque Fix: The Lighthouse and The Whaler at Neptune Coffee Tonight

Drawing inspiration from Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead and Bowerbirds, The Lighthouse and The Whaler sound like a group of musicians who also have a healthy appreciation for Bon Iver as well as Seattle’s own Fleet Foxes.

If you’re like us and any/all of the aforementioned bands happen to be on your shortlist, we highly recommend a trip up to Neptune Coffee in Greenwood tonight.

We were able to catch up with The Lighthouse and The Whaler frontman and songwriter Michael Lopresti in advance of the band’s Seattle debut tonight.

Among other things, our suspicions were confirmed when we learned that Fleet Foxes do routinely make the band’s van playlist and our conversation did in fact contain at least one Moby Dick reference. Read on to learn more about one of our favorite new bands and be sure to show up at Neptune Coffee (8415 Greenwood Ave N Seattle, WA 98103) tonight by 8PM with $3 for the likely, though not confirmed, cover.

How do you describe your music to those have not yet heard your band?

Layered orchestration combined with catchy, harmony-soaked melodies, combined together to make something that may just make your jaw drop, or at least your ears perk up.

What should those who come out to see the band expect to see at your performance at Neptune Coffee?

They should expect an intimate show with never before heard acoustic versions of a few of our songs since it's in a coffee house but they should also expect a lush, orchestral and harmony-laden experience.

Any sights or activities you’re looking to take in while in the area?

We've heard great things about Seattle so we really just want to wander around the city and see what we can find.

What's the story behind the band's name?

It comes from Moby Dick. There is a chapter in the book called Nantucket and in this chapter Herman Melville explains how Nantucket is the most beautiful and awe inspiring place the whalers had ever seen. Every time they return there the first thing they see is the lighthouse. As they approach Moby Dick comes between them and the lighthouse and they have to make a choice. Go to Nantucket or chase the whale. When I read that passage it stayed with me. When we started the band, I proposed the name and explained why. It just felt right, so we stuck with it.

What’s the process by which an observation/life event goes from merely an idea to becoming a source of lyrical inspiration?

When a moment in life passes by that's so beautiful you can't help but try to replay it in your mind over and over again, good or painful, those are the moments I try to harness in my lyrics so all you have to do is push the repeat button.

What's next for the band through the end of the year and beyond?

Touring as much as we can, hopefully with artists a little bigger than we are and writing new songs with the anticipation of releasing them in some form at the end of this year or early next year.

Neptune Coffee // 8415 Greenwood Ave N // 8:00 p.m. //