High-profile record label, Def Jam Recordings, is creating a new virtual band. Called The Whales, it was created in partnership with WAGMI Beach’s Catalina Whale Mixer NFT project. Avatars of vibrant whales from the PFP NFT collection will act as the band’s members.
According to Def Jam Recordings and the NFT project, “an all-star cast” of producers and musicians will run the band. However, Def Jam has yet to release a list of the virtual band’s cast members. NFT owners will have a say in how the band evolves. Likewise, they will even have a chance to include their NFT in the band through upcoming auditions, says WAGMI Beach CEO Carlo Fox.
“Instead of it just being like four guys in their garage that are deciding what it is, it’s like this community of all these people determining the direction that it goes,” Fox told Decrypt.
The Whales music out this summer
This summer, the Whales will release its first tracks through both traditional means and as collectible NFTS. In addition, The Whales will host virtual and real-world concerts and festivals.
Another co-founder of WAGMI Beach, Benjamin Willis, states that the company had to jump through many hoops over a period of months before the deal was finalised. However, both founders state their delight in working with Def Jam Recordings.
“Def Jam is one of the most important labels of all time, culturally – and from early hip-hop onward, they’ve always taken a leap on supporting what’s new before it’s popular. We were very humbled and appreciative that they were able to see the vision and why this is something special,” Fox adds.
The Whales will offer upbeat, energising tracks. The virtual band takes inspiration from Pharrell Williams and Gorillaz, a pre-NFT virtual band popular in the early 2000s.
“It’s not depressing, it’s not dark. It’s aspirational, it’s fun—you can dance to it, you can party to it. That’s kind of the idea,” says Willis.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
