Alternative rock band Ne-Hi was recently referred to as “the nicest boys in the Midwest” by Noisey, Vice’s music section. That isn’t far from the truth. The indie band brought their unique style to Cafe Berlin on Aug. 27, and despite the low turnout, they still filled the hipster paradise venue with their soft beats and impressive vocals.
The Chicago-based band has steadily risen in popularity from their formation in 2013. Though they got their start writing a movie soundtrack for their friend, the four-piece band — Alex Otake, James Weir, Jason Balla and Mikey Wells — found that they just enjoyed making music together.
“We just felt like the songs were coming so easily and we had fun playing them. Pretty simple start, really,” Balla says. “And we were already buds, so it was the trifecta of ‘these songs are alright, hey, we like each other.’ The music for the movie did not work out at all, but we’re like, ‘wow, these songs could be a band.’”
Ne-Hi cites their inspirations as ranging from Fleetwood Mac and The Birds to the Silver Jews
and Stone Roses, influences that shine through in their songs like “Drag” and “Turncoat.”
“We got a really nice compliment while we were in Savannah; there was this guy from Spain that was at our show,” Balla says. “He came up to us and was like, ‘You sound like ‘The Bunnymen’ and ‘Television.’ We’re like, ‘oh, cool, we all like those bands a lot.’”
Recently, Ne-Hi has been playing bigger venues such as their upcoming gigs at the Pygmalion and Midpoint music festivals in Illinois and Ohio, and they have become a Chicago phenomenon.
“I think maybe a greater attention is put on us, but it hasn’t really changed how we’ve approached anything,” Balla says. “We’re still just writing songs and playing shows with the same energy and attitude that we would have regardless.”
After the band finishes their current tour in early September, they plan to have a few more small tours before the recording of their new album at the end of the year. The third song on their Cafe Berlin set was one of the untitled songs from their upcoming album.
“Our new (song) is my favorite right now,” Otake says.
The show at Cafe Berlin also featured three other similar headliners in the alternative genre: Varsity, The Fog and Sneaky Creeps. While Varsity is from Chicago like Ne-Hi, The Fog and Sneaky Creeps are both from Missouri.
“Sneaky Creeps and The Fog are both amazing bands from Kansas City and really good friends,” Balla said. “Andrew from Sneaky Creeps is a really good cook and they cooked us breakfast today. That was really great.”
From Ne-Hi’s expert lyricism to their strong instrumentals, they truly embody the raw sound of indie rock that can be linked to the start of the genre. But though their music is wonderful, it is their kind and humble demeanor that truly make them a band to watch.