Band follows a permanent kind of whim

The campus band, WPE, which stands for Whim, Po & Emili, is young, but don't let that fool you. While some musicians can be overly narcissistic, WPE's motto seems to be about provoking thoughtfulness and reflection in the lives of their listeners. The band truly revolves around intertwining music and life in the most relatable way possible.

The band began as an acoustic duo of Colin Weaver ‘10 (vocals and strings) and Emily Robertson ‘10 (vocals and piano) in 2007. However, in October 2009, they added Clifton Nesseth '10 (instrumentalist) and Riley Sattler '10 (percussion), completing the group.

The band's new EP album, "Maybe Baby," will be released May 13.

WPE has played throughout the Midwest, but the members have kept a fairly relaxed attitude about their passion for music. Come graduation though, that will change drastically. The band plans to move to Madison, Wisc. and try to make it in the music world.

Weaver said this doesn't mean changing what they stand for.

"It's important for us to maintain an integrity, a thoughtfulness throughout, even if it's an intentional thoughtlessness in the process," he said.

The main influences on the original duo were the bands Iron & Wine and Low, a band from Duluth, Minn. Their first album, "Whim, Po & Emili," can be described as "experimental folk," according to the band.

The group writes its own music and lyrics, borrowing heavily from the members' independently crafted poetry.

"Sometimes it's just walking around though and all of the melodies are in your head. It's just stuck in your head," Weaver said.

Robertson even mentioned using a recording device on her cell phone to temporarily store her momentary inspirations.

Their new album is a little bit of everything, ranging from rock ‘n' roll to jazz to pop. While the band was originally opposed to playing pop music, their new album encompasses an upbeat, pop-like feel.

"There's nothing wrong with a catchy melody. It's catchy because it sounds good," Weaver said.

The new album has a broader range of influences, including Architecture In Helsinki, Norah Jones, Pearl Jam and even the legendary Miles Davis.

Recorded in just three days, the new album features five new tracks. The band sees it as an opportunity to explore new ideas and directions without making a full-blown commitment. The time frame of recording is also representative of the band's overall outlook.

Both the recording techniques used and their music are all-natural.

"We record a few takes, decide ‘All right we can live with that,'" Weaver said. "So you get the room noise, you can hear the breathing, the drinking of juice boxes. Hopefully when you listen you won't think we're too crazy."

The recordings, just like the band, are the uncensored, real deal.

The EP album, "Maybe Baby," isn't for those looking for mainstream, frivolous pop. The talent on the album would certainly be wasted on listeners looking formusic filled with overly repetitive choruses and edited voices. Rather, it will be appreciated by those who desire the same rhythms and riffs with added layers of deeper complexity.

Although some of their songs are catchy, the album as a whole resonates as more laid-back and honest. The recording is not flawless, but that only reinforces the refreshing fact that WPE is a band with genuine, not edited, talent.

Some of the tracks are short, but the intricately overlapping vocals and rhythms more than make up for it. The album could be visually represented as a textured, interlocking of rhythms, vocals and insightful thoughts.

"Maybe Baby" combines an unconventional approach to lyrics of deep complexity with sounds encompassing several musical genres. The music vividly reflects the band's attitude, direction and passion for music.

The band feels "Maybe Baby" encompasses its new, more experimental, bold self.

"There's a confidence to this sound. A more straightforward sound and message in the lyrics," Robertson said. "We aren't hiding our intentions like we did in the first album. We're kind of ready to do this stuff."

Although the entire group doesn't exactly enjoy the pop genre, part of the change stems from a realistic standpoint.

"The idea of us exploring the pop genre is that we are going to be writing and performing. That's going to be part of our income and we want to appeal to our audience," Robertson said. "We might not crave pop when we're writing; it's not really in me. I just know musical listeners. There's something about having to tend to their needs, too."

Currently the band practices together twice a week for about two hours each session, but that's just part of the story.

"We all do a lot of mental practicing, which is probably more effective," Nesseth said. This is one way the band's music is integrated into their daily lives.

The new album comes from life experiences and heartbreaks that they want to share with the world, just like any other band. The difference is, they want the listeners to explore the music and apply it to their own lives.

"This music is never about fluxing egos, it's about inviting the listener into what we're thinking," Nesseth said.

In the truest sense they want fans to "go and make it about what you want it to be …even about the circus or something," Weaver said.

As the band releases their new EP album and relocates to Madison, they have a clearer direction and purpose than ever before. For Robertson, this means "staying sane, putting my emotions and thoughts somewhere productive and not just in my own head."

WPE will be performing on the St. Olaf quad on May 13 at 7:30 p.m. The concert will include work from their new and old albums, along with songs written since recording and covers that Weaver said they "just can't get out of their heads." They will be selling copies of their first album for $10 each and the new EP album for only $5, as well as buttons. The first album is also available on iTunes.

For more information about WPE, visit their website, www.whimpoemili.com or their pages on Facebook or MySpace. 

wilsonbr@stolaf.edu