Grumpy Teams With D.A. Crimson on New Single “The Whale”

Grumpy and D.A. Crimson turn music-industry frustration into a hopeful, offbeat indie-rock statement on their new collaboration “The Whale.”

Grumpy has shared “The Whale” featuring D.A. Crimson, a new single from the New York indie rock band’s upcoming album Unfindable Ring. The track arrived September 2 through Bayonet Records and runs just over three minutes.

The song was co-written by Grumpy vocalist Heaven Schmitt and guitarist Diego Clare, who records as D.A. Crimson. According to Stereogum, the collaboration pushed Schmitt away from true-to-life storytelling and toward a more fictional approach.

At its core, “The Whale” deals with uncertainty about making it in the music industry while holding onto the belief that better opportunities will eventually arrive. Schmitt described the song as being about knowing that “our time will come.”

Clare said the track grew from a few punchlines into something more heartfelt, touching on instability, anxiety about the future and finding value and joy despite those pressures. The result balances cynicism with a genuine sense of gratitude and persistence.

The single also comes with an official music video directed by Clare, extending the pair’s collaboration beyond the songwriting itself.

“The Whale” will appear on Unfindable Ring, which is set for release on October 23 via Bayonet Records. The 13-track album also includes previously released songs “OBL” and “Twenty Five.”