Formed shortly after graduation from high school in the late ’90s as Mrs. Children, The Whiles have persevered through friendship, death, and the birth of children. With the release of their debut, Colors of the Year, they appeared to be poised to break out of Columbus, with press coming from Rolling Stone and Paste and shows with The National, Andrew Bird, and My Morning Jacket. The curse of 614 entered and a member quit, thus putting the brakes on the group’s momentum. After the release of 2007’s Sleeper’s Wake, they collectively retreated to careers, family and the recording studio. Their third album, Somber Honey, weaves a five-year track through the interruptions of adulthood, doubts and uncertainty—very much like the history of the band itself. Built around the strong songwriting of Joe Peppercorn,with orchestral arrangements courtesy of violinist Samantha Kim (Ghost Shirt), the album recalls hints of Colin Blunstone’s finest work, Eric Matthews and the pop sensibilities of Tommy Keene, early Cat Stevens and The Byrds.