The last time I spoke with Said The Whale was over a decade ago. 

We were on a fishing boat in Vancouver’s False Creek — young, having a blast, and fitting in a loose interview about their debut record, Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia.

So when I speak with Tyler Bancroft on the phone this week, we had just a bit to catch up on. 

Photo credit: Said The Whale

“I have two kids, 3-years and 6 now,” says the singer/guitarist. 

“Right now, one of them is watching Paw Patrol, the other one is outside catching bees in a net. And I’m inside making a batch of margaritas because we have a babysitter tonight so we can go to the beach.”

We laugh at how much has changed. And for the Vancouver-based band, those changes have been substantial and successful.

They’ve recorded 7 records, won a Juno, topped alternative radio charts, and toured extensively, packing places with their fawning fans — known forever as "SaidHeads".

Said The Whale’s latest recording —the insta-catchy Dandelion —was made over 18 months with Hot Hot Heat’s Steve Bays on producing duty.

It shows the band at their best, with Tyler Bancroft and band members (singer-guitarist Ben Worcester, keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown, and bassist Lincoln Hotchen) stepping up to the pop plate.

The band’s sound has clearly matured, and that brings my conversation with Tyler back to maturing in life off the stage.

“The number one thing I’ve learned about being a dad in a creative job, is how to do things in lesser amounts of time and in shorter spurts,” says Bancroft.

“Whereas it used to be really important to me to have a full day to get in 'the zone'. And light some candles and get all zen and make it perfect. But that luxury doesn’t exist now.”

Photo credit: Said The Whale

If Bancroft and the band’s time is prized, so is a Said The Whale live show. You can catch them Saturday, headlining the Eats & Beat Festival in Colwood. 

“It’s going to be a great show,” says the singer. “We'll have [former drummer] Spencer on the kit which is rare and will be so exciting.”

I ask him if he’s worried about performing during the heat that’s hit the Island.

“I’m actually loving it. It took a while for summer to kick in, so I’m fully ready for it, dude.”