Noah and the Whale
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Twickenham , United Kingdom |
| Products | Indie rock, folk music |
Noah and the Whale was a British indie rock and folk ensemble originating from Twickenham, established in 2006 and disbanded in 2015. The group's final roster comprised Charlie Fink (vocals, guitar), Tom Hobden (violin, keyboards), Matt "Urby Whale" Owens (bass guitar), Fred Abbott (guitar, keys), and Michael Petulla (drums). Former contributors included Doug Fink (drums) and Laura Marling (backing vocals).
They played at prominent locations such as a sold-out The Royal Albert Hall, as well as festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Green Man, and Glastonbury. In 2013, they were headliners at the Wilderness Festival and toured alongside bands including Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, and Phoenix. Their television appearances featured shows like Late Show with David Letterman, Later... with Jools Holland, The Graham Norton Show, and The Andrew Marr Show.
The song "5 Years Time" gained renewed popularity after being included in the 2025 DC Universe movie Superman, resulting in a 1,000% surge in streaming following the film’s release.
Formation and Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down (2006–2008)
Their inaugural album, Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down, was released on 11 August 2008, reaching number five on the official UK Albums Chart and earning largely favorable critiques. This record incorporated brass elements performed by Jon Carvell (trombone) and Sam Kinrade (trumpet). Original member Laura Marling contributed backing vocals and toured with the band until mid-2008 before departing to pursue her solo career. Despite her exit, she maintained collaborations with Tom Hobden, who played fiddle on her albums I Speak Because I Can and Short Movie.
After Marling left, female vocalists such as Emmy the Great, Lillie Flynn (Johnny Flynn’s sister), and Rebecca Lucy Taylor from Slow Club and Self Esteem joined for live performances. The group also issued a punk-inspired EP titled Noah and the Whale presents: The A Sides, which featured fresh tracks alongside a reimagined song from their debut; vinyl editions remain obtainable via Young And Lost Club.
The First Days of Spring (2009)
Beginning in January 2009, work commenced on their sophomore album, The First Days of Spring. Concurrently, Charlie Fink wrote and directed a feature-length film sharing the album’s title. Following Marling’s departure, Fink decided to exclude female backing vocals, signaling a new musical direction influenced by this change. Released on 31 August 2009, this album arrived just over a year after their first. Shortly before its release, drummer Doug Fink left to study medicine; Fred Abbott joined as guitarist/keyboardist, while Jack Hamson served temporarily on drums.
The album’s title track was initially offered as a download via the band’s website. The lead single "Blue Skies" debuted on 24 August 2009 after receiving airplay on BBC Radio 1. To promote the record, they embarked on an extensive tour including headline slots at the 2009 Reading and Leeds Festivals.
On 29 September 2009, their instruments—including guitars, basses, and drums—were stolen from a Manchester parking facility but were recovered by December. Several songs from this album gained media placements: "Give a Little Love" appeared in Cougar Town, "Blue Skies" was featured in One Tree Hill and an advertisement for The Descendants.
Critics acclaimed The First Days of Spring more highly than their debut; NME awarded it 9/10 describing it as "immense," while The Times gave it five stars. It was prominently listed in year-end rankings by The Guardian, The Times, and Amazon.
Last Night on Earth era (2010–2012)
In early 2010, Noah and the Whale began work on their third studio album, initially considering naming it Old Joy. Demos were recorded at Bethnal Green Great Synagogue in London featuring original drummer Doug Fink; however, the final recording took place in Los Angeles under producer Jason Lader. Charlie Fink later confirmed the official title as Last Night on Earth. On 3 December 2010, they premiered "Wild Thing" from this forthcoming album through their website. The first official single "L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N." was issued on 23 January 2011, peaking at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart. The full album was released on 7 March 2011 via Mercury Records.
During this time frame, Michael Petulla became the new drummer following a rigorous audition process involving over one hundred candidates. Bassist Matt Owens and guitarist Fred Abbott shortlisted ten finalists before selecting Petulla.
Following the commercial success of Last Night on Earth, they embarked on extensive touring including three separate US tours. Charlie Fink highlighted an especially demanding week that covered Japan, Australia, Canada, and Chicago within eight days.
In 2011, their track "Waiting for My Chance to Come" was featured in the finale of UK teen drama series Skins. Additionally, "Give It All Back" was released via YouTube on 25 November 2011.
Heart of Nowhere period (2013)
In January 2013, Noah and the Whale unveiled plans for their new album titled Heart of Nowhere, which launched on 6 May 2013 alongside a four-night residency at London's Palace Theatre. Charlie Fink also wrote and produced a short film to accompany this release. On 21 March, "There Will Come a Time" premiered on BBC Radio 1.
Prior to official release, fans discovered cassette tapes containing the album hidden within independent record shops; once all tapes were collected, the band made the album accessible online. The second single "Lifetime" followed in August 2013 accompanied by a video featuring a cover of Daft Punk's Digital Love.
To promote Heart of Nowhere, they toured across the UK and North America, headlined Wilderness Festival again, and supported Vampire Weekend during their UK arena tour in November 2013. On 22 November they announced a concluding performance at Islington Assembly Hall set for 10 December that would include audience-selected songs before pausing to focus on new material.
On Christmas Eve 2013, they released the short film Heart of Nowhere as a gesture of appreciation to fans for an outstanding year.
Hiatus and disbandment (2013–2015)
Following their final shows in London and Manchester during December 2013, Noah and the Whale entered a period of inactivity. Nearly one year later they briefly acknowledged their status via social media before officially announcing their breakup on April 1st, 2015. Afterward, Matt Owens and Fred Abbott pursued solo projects; Abbott additionally co-founded Orphan Colours alongside members from Ahab and Danny and the Champions of the World. Hobden toured with Mumford & Sons, joined Australian band Gang of Youths, and collaborated with Abbott and Petulla within Matt Owens' backing group "The Delusional Vanity Project." Abbott’s solo debut Serious Poke was released in July 2015; he also continued annual collaborative Christmas projects with Hobden. In June 2015, Charlie Fink released "My Heartbeat Lost Its Rhythm" via SoundCloud, composed music for the Old Vic’s stage adaptation of The Lorax, and launched his debut solo album Cover My Tracks in 2017 along with an accompanying theatre show.
A grassroots campaign initiated in 2014 led to vinyl reissues of their first two albums — Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down and The First Days of Spring — which were re-released on May 18th, 2018.
Final line-up
- Charlie Fink – lead vocals, guitars (2006–2015)
- Tom Hobden – violin, backing vocals, guitars, piano (2006–2015)
- Matt 'Urby Whale' Owens – bass guitar, backing vocals (2006–2015)
- Fred Abbott – guitars, backing vocals, piano (2009–2015)
- Michael Petulla – drums (2011–2015)
Previous members
- John Hamson – drums (2009–2010)
- Doug Fink – drums (2006–2009)
- Laura Marling – backing vocals (2006–2008)
- Jon Carvell – trombone (2006–2008)
- Sam Kinrade – trumpet (2006–2008)
Timeline
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Discography
- Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down (2008)
- The First Days of Spring (2009)
- Last Night on Earth (2011)
- Heart of Nowhere (2013)