Last Updated on 2026-07-14 by a-indie
On Their Musical Roots
Wakiki: In our previous interview around the release of 『SPARK』, Julien named three albums that influenced him. This time, please name three albums you’ve returned to again and again over this past decade. We’d love to hear why you chose each one.
Julien: 『Here, My Dear』 by Marvin Gaye is always popping back up in my life because I just can’t stop listening to “When Did You Stop Loving Me, When Did I Stop Loving You.” I just think the whole album is a pretty fascinating concept to begin with but that song specifically is truly something I will be listening to until I die. So hypnotic.
Julien: 『Bookends』 by Simon and Garfunkel just has a warmth to it that I find pretty addicting. I actually kinda stopped listening to Simon and Garfunkel probably around the pandemic for whatever reason. Just drifted away from it aesthetically a bit. But I remember when we finished 『Small Talk』 our keyboardist Malcolm and I went over to his parents house to listen to records and drink beers with them. We listened to a bunch of different stuff but hearing the A side of 『Bookends』 off his dads speaker system that night totally blew my mind again. It’s just so well written and well recorded it can’t help but inspire you.
Julien: 『Figure 8』 by Elliott Smith is one that I’ve been pretty gripped by recently. I’m originally from Portland Oregon so I’ve always been into Elliott Smith by default but for some reason I had never really heard anything off of 『Figure 8』 until a couple months ago. I love how much it’s so clearly influenced by Alex Chilton, Big Star, and The Beatles. Just beautiful writing all around and in some ways I’m glad I waited to embrace this record because I feel like I’m able to fully appreciate it now.
Wakiki: Finally, please leave a message for your fans in Japan and for BELONG’s readers.
Julien:I’m sorry we haven’t been able to make it over to Japan since Summer Sonic 2017! It can be tricky to find the money to fly 7 band members so far from home but we’re working on it. Fingers crossed that we can do a couple 『Light Upon The Lake』 10 year anniversary shows in Japan next year. We love you!!!
Whitney Album Information
Album『Light Upon The Lake 10th Anniversary Edition』
Release Date: Jun 5, 2026
Label: Secretly Canadian
Track Listing:
1.No Woman
2.The Falls
3.Golden Days
4.Dave’s Song
5.Light Upon The Lake
6.No Matter Where We Go
7.On My Own
8.Red Moon
9.Polly
10.Follow
11.Dave’s Song (4-Track Demo)
12.No Woman (Meter Session)
13.So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)
14.Golden Days (Finger Picking Version)
15.No Matter Where We Go (Demo)
4th Studio Album『Small Talk』
Release Date: Nov 7, 2025
Label: Whitney
Track Listing:
1.Silent Exchange
2.Won’t You Speak Your Mind
3.The Thread
4.Damage
5.Dandelions
6.Islands (Really Something)
7.In the Saddle
8.Evangeline (feat. Madison Cunningham)
9.Back to the Wind
10.Small Talk
11.Darling
Whitney Band Profile
Over the past decade, Whitney has continued to evolve through albums including 『Forever Turned Around (2019)』,『 SPARK (2022)』, and 『Small Talk (2025)』, while maintaining the emotional intimacy that has become the band’s signature. In 2026, Whitney marked the 10th anniversary of 『Light Upon The Lake』 with a special anniversary edition featuring previously unreleased demo recordings.
Instagram：@whitneyband
Bandcamp：https://whitneychicago.bandcamp.com/
Writer: Wakiki
A BayStars fan who loves coffee, cigarettes, and music. Based in Mie Prefecture. Read more articles by Wakiki here
Instagram：@wakiki_310
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.