The band was founded in 2007 by the group's primary songwriters, guitarists and lead vocalists, Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft.

[1] Their current lineup consists of Worcester, Bancroft, keyboardist and vocalist Jaycelyn Brown, bassist Lincoln Hotche and drummer Spencer Schoening.

To date, they have released seven studio albums, Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia (2008), Islands Disappear (2009), Little Mountain (2012), hawaiii (2013), As Long As Your Eyes Are Wide (2017), Cascadia (2019) and their most recent, Dandelion (2021).

[11] Alongside its release, they also announced that founding drummer, Spencer Schoening would be leaving the band and that the group would continue as a trio.

On March 5, 2017, they posted an Instagram video with an email address which fans could contact in order to listen to the whole album for free before its release.

[12] In September 2018, Said the Whale signed to Canadian indie label Arts & Crafts, and announced a new record to be released in early 2019.

[14] Throughout 2021, Said the Whale released a number of singles and music videos from their upcoming album, including "Honey Lungs," "Everything She Touches is Gold to Me," "Show Me Everything," and "99 to the Moon."