William Elliott Whitmore Recent News

Anti Records Reviews An Exceptional 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:12:00 -0800

Legendary Artists, A Breakout Album for Neko Case, A Triumphant And Soulful Offering From The Swell Season, Six Grammy Nods for Anti Artists, Tom Waits Live Album and Much More

William Elliott Whitmore: Animals in the Dark - On his Anti debut Whitmore reflects on life and loss and the world surrounding his Iowa horse farm on the banks of the Mississippi. The album showcases Whitmore’s classic songwriting and mastery of the acoustic guitar and banjo, but adds elements such as strings, an organ and a pedal steel, giving the songs a more expansive, cultivated sound. 2009 saw this unique artist captivating audiences around the world with his haunting and timeless sound.

"Animals reinforces his reputation as one of today's most transcendent folk artists." - Kansas City Star

"There's a time-honored truthfullness to William Elliott Whitmore that can't be rehearsed and most certainly can't be faked. It's tonally apparent in the world-weary ache of his baritone voice; it's lyrically manifested in the god-fearing mannerisms of simple protagonists; and it's buried deep within the gutsy pride and righteous integrity with which the Americana singer confronts issues of moral wrongs, institutional control, and fundamental rights throughout Animals in the Dark." - The Absolute Sound

NASA: The Spirit of Apollo - A joyfully sometimes surreal musical expedition overflowing with inspired collaborations -Tom Waits growls over Kool Keith, Karen O taunts while Ol' Dirty Bastard gives shout-outs to Wu Tang and N.A.S.A from the grave, and David Byrne, Chuck D and others expound on the evils of "Money." In spite of the range of performers, the pairings make perfect sense. Live the band features dancing aliens which is always a plus.

“The Spirit of Apollo is what happens when the imagination is let out of its cage. Good things happen.” – Urb

N.A.S.A.'s dope beats and wet-dream collaborations make Apollo an absolute must-have. - Alternative Press

Neko Case: Middle Cyclone – A stunning album by one of the preeminent songwriters and performers today. This is the record that finally transported Case from heroine of the underground into a deservedly larger spotlight. A riveting tour de force which has already graced many best of polls including those of Spin, Pitchfork and the top position on Amazon’s “Best Music of 2009” list. The album has also received Two Grammy nominations for “Best Contemporary Folk Album” and “Best Recording Package” (for the striking album cover)

“Case has one of the most powerful sets of pipes in pop” - Rolling Stone

“Neko Case’s songs are full of claws, wolves, tornadoes, birds of prey and the occasional gust of wind. But her voice is the real force of nature.” – New York Times Magazine

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: A Stranger Here - The renowned troubadour steps out of the country/folk arena that has shaped his legend and examines pre-WWII blues songs in a wholly unique way. A Stranger Here proves another wonderful tome in the library of one of the great American storytellers. The album has been nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Traditional Blues Album” and has garnered the album’s esteemed producer Joe Henry a nomination in the “Best Traditional Blues Album” category.

“Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is, along with Pete Seeger, one of America’s finest living folk singers. Seeing him play is a treat, but hearing him tell long, meandering stories — he didn’t get that nickname for nothing — is transformative.” - New York Times

“Both beautiful and brave in its purity" - Performing Songwriter

Bob Mould: Life and Times - A cathartic and vital album by an influential artist marks the respective anniversaries of the formation of Husker Du and Mould’s lauded solo effort Workbook with an album of unflinching self-reflection. Standouts like "Wasted World" and "I'm Sorry Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore" highlight an artist completing a cycle decades in the making, his talent undiminished, his perspective acute.

"Passion, beauty, intelligence, grace: it's all here." – Filter

"This newest collection is moody and minimalist, and it showcases Mould’s introspective side. The most compelling songs evoke the speed, energy, and passionate commitment that justly made Mould an icon." - New Yorker

Jason Lytle: Yours Truly, The Commuter - Two years after Grandaddy's demise, Lytle returns with an immaculately crafted pop soundscape that mirrors both the dramatic environment of Lytle's newly-adopted Montana and the vintage twang of the Central California farmland that inspired hiss earlier work. Electronic flourishes collide with acoustic guitars and soulful piano parts, perfectly recreating Lytle’s signature lo-fi-electro atmospheres.

“A richly textured work that is lovingly crafted and affectingly poignant." - Alternative Press

“A textured homage to the lush and laid-back West Coast dream life of his youth…it’s like Bruce Springsteen’s open highway finally reached a melancholy kid from Modesto.” - Spin

Booker T: Potato Hole – The trailblazing soul man has written the most audacious chapter of his career with his first solo album in decades. Backed by the Drive-By Truckers with Booker's signature Hammond B3, the album bristles with energy and heart. The album has earned a Grammy nomination for Jones in the category of “Best Pop Instrumental Album.”

“There are no chart-baiting superstar guest vocalists or gimmicks, just gut-punching, funky, loose-limbed, rock 'n' soul jams recorded in down-and-dirty sessions without an inch of fat.” - Boston Globe

“Potato Hole proves as extraordinary, delirious and laugh-out-loud weird as anyone might dare hope.” – Uncut

The Field: Yesterday & Today - The innovative sound artist expands his ever transfixing audio palette, continuing the oblique sampling strategy of his critically praised “From Here We Go Sublime” while building up the rhythmic architecture to startling new heights.

“Full of driving, dirty beats, crisp bells and hats that delicately pepper the high end, this sonic treasure offers plenty of infectious grooves.” - DJ Times

“Yesterday & Today is gorgeous, overwhelming, lush and (mainly) wordless, and it reeks throughout of inarticulable emotion.” - Prefix Magazine

Bettye LaVette: Change is Gonna Come Sessions – The soul singer extraordinaire revisits her forgotten post-Atlantic Records years as a nightclub singer and Broadway performer with a mix of classics including a heart wrenching rendition of Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child" and an acclaimed version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," which LaVette performed at the Obama Inaugural Celebration.

"There's no one more soulful than Bettye LaVette…Bettye makes great music now because of her obstacles. She has a fire in her belly and a passion that was never squashed over the years...you just hear it and feel it in everything she sings." - CNN.com

“a compelling and intimate set of songs that adroitly combine a smoky jazz club, Saturday night rent party and Sunday morning church service. “ - Creative Loafing

Busdriver: Jhelli Beam – The art rap progenitor returns to jolt rap back into shape with virtuoso vocal stylings and poignant (and at times dadaist) lyricism. This record not only effortlessly trumps all previous mind-bending performances of his earlier works, but gives them new context; highlighting their dexterity with nuggets of election year paranoia and absurdist humor.

"Everything on Jhelli Beam makes sense. Every word is a picture. Every sentence pushed over the one before it the way dominos fall when they're lined up in a row....This is creativity - this is the reason for being: to preceive/ingest, and digest, and poop it out." - LA Record

“Busdriver's crazy, quick verses sprint from inside-out humor to social criticism alongside challenging beats that reward repeated listens. Exciting, odd stuff." - Chicago Tribune

Solillaquists of Sound: No More Heroes - With this release the Orlando-based hip hop quartet have accomplished the rare feat of creating a body of work that's as palatable to the public as it is groundbreaking, imaginative, and rewarding to listeners looking for something more in the soundtrack to their lives.

“authentic and raw, blending elements of dubstep, afrobeat, folk, most
obviously hip-hop, but surprisingly more synth-beats infused in a background of beautiful harmonies.” - 7x7 Magazine

“A lyrically potent, melodic, and danceable piece, make sure to cop one of the best records the year has to offer.” – Sputnikmusic

Joe Henry: Blood From Stars - The revered solo artist and Grammy-winning producer’s music spans many genres but the dominant sound on Blood From Stars is a rich blues tonality that swells into ravishing epics that jump the rails to incorporate folky jazz and bent Sinatra-esque washes of sampled strings. Henry’s eleventh album is a tour de force of lush arrangements and seductive song lines. The acclaimed musician/producer was also nominated for a Grammy for his work guiding Ramblin Jack Elliott’s release, A Stranger Here.

"Joe Henry is like that unexpected piece of dark chocolate at the bottom of the ice cream dish: something rich, sweet and so surprisingly good that you wonder how it escaped you before. This album captures a sensuous musicality, whether it's torch songs or avant-garde and traditional jazz, raw blues or pumped up soul escapades." – RELIX

“For connoisseurs of craft, Henry’s writing is an absolute joy, drawing effortlessly on classic pop, roots, and folk traditions and alchemizing these various strains into a single, sweet sound.” – American Way Magazine

Os Mutantes: Haih or Amortecedor - Still psychedelic, influential, political and playful after all these years – the near mythical has crafted triumphant return with their first record in 35 Years. Revered by luminaries such as Kurt Cobain, the Flaming Lips Devendra Banhart and Beck, the Mutantes have delivered one of the most original and enjoyable albums of the year.

"a superb, politically tinged reunion effort....their new songs remain as bold and fascinating as their old ones." – New Yorker

"Haih Or Amortecedor is rhapsodic, an endearing tribute, and a welcome addition, to one of pop music’s strangest group of musicians." – Popmatters

Islands: Vapours – The ever evolving Montreal outfit returns with an album that flits back and forth between moody synthesizers and drum-machine-heavy beats and an array of intriguing sonic textures, all the while remaining firmly rooted in the classic pop sensibilities and melodic hooks the band is celebrated for. 

"infectious and weird....masterful, refreshing synth-pop, served up pure and simple.” – Blackbook

"one of our favorite albums of the fall. It's just some lush, pop goodness." – Paper Magazine

Rain Machine: Rain Machine - Kyp Malone’s solo project features ten unflinchingly original and emotional songs mixing elements of modern jazz, blue-grass and blistering guitar driven rock into a refreshing new sound. As singer and guitarist for celebrated band TV on the Radio, Malone proved himself both a captivating and delightfully unpredictable musical force. On Rain Machine, he shows himself a singer and a lyricist of startling talents.

“Malone steps out with an emotionally open debut just as experimental and daring as his work with TVOTR.” – USA Today

“The tunes sound a bit like a rain dance—tribal bells, trance-inflected refrains, the occasional howl—but one that's been fed through the post-apocalyptic fury of TV On The Radio. The result proves a compelling sonic exploration, knotty and exultant as ever.” – The Onion

Dead Man’s Bones: Dead Man’s Bones - Initially intended as play about a monster-ghost-love-story, Zach Shields and Ryan Gosling eventually scrapped the stage show and recorded Dead Man’s Bones, a refreshingly original album featuring doo-wop songs about werewolves, haunting melodies telling tales of zombies with broken hearts, and children singing the joys and pains of being alive or being dead.

“Simultaneously sweet and spooky, heart-stirring and imaginative; a wonderful requiem to our forgotten fear of the dark" – LA Weekly

“A decidedly beautiful thing" – MOJO

The Swell Season: Strict Joy – The follow up to their Oscar winning “Once” soundtrack, Strict Joy finds the duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova evoking the bittersweet aftermath of their real life romance and breakup with an album of stirring folk tinged blue eyed soul.

“a lush, lovely, heartfelt gem.” – NPR

“Strict Joy is a joy from start to finish, as few bands manage to mix intimacy and sweeping songcraft with such finesse.” – All Music Guide

Alec Ounsworth: Mo’ Beauty - a soulful and intriguing solo endeavor from celebrated singer/songwriter Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Recorded in music-steeped New Orleans with an all star cast of local talent, the end result is a display of masterful songwriting and arguably Ounsworth’s best work yet.

"Mesmerizing and profound" – The Onion

"The sharpest arrangements and best songwriting of his short career: Almost every tune on Mo Beauty equals or betters those on CYHSY's lauded 2005 debut, mixing spooky folk with frantic fun. Ounsworth's regular band may have a shaky future, but he doesn't." – Spin

Tom Waits: Glitter & Doom Live – This two disc collection perfectly documents Waits' sold out, acclaimed 2008 “Glitter and Doom” tour. The music disc features Waits' in his eclectic glory shifting seamlessly from an array of characters: carnival barker, preacher, country singer, soul balladeer; cabaret singer and storyteller. Disc Two is a selection of the comic bromides, strange musings, and unusual facts that Waits traditionally shares with his audience during the piano set.

“One of the most charismatic and straightforwardly entertaining live artists you are ever likely to see or hear. (..) Pick disc one for the uninterrupted junkyard blues and bewilderingly tender crooning: choose disc two for trivia and lies dredged from the back pages of the Fortean Times and delivered sans songs with the impeccable timing of a seasoned professional still in love with the stage and his audience.” – Time Out London

“Equal parts Captain Beefheart and Louis Armstrong as he examines the full spectrum of life, from the grimly grotesque to the sweetly sentimental… It’s an utter delight.” - NME

* Mavis Staples: Live: Hope at the Hideout - While technically released at the end of 2008, it’s worth mentioning that Mavis’ blistering live album has just earned the legendary soul singer a well deserved Grammy nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Blues Album.” Mavis was previously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 Grammys for her collective work with the Staples Singers.

WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE WOW'S "JOOLS HOLLAND" CROWD, HEADLINES MAY TOUR

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:04:00 -0700

William Elliott Whitmore’s Impassioned Performance on “Later…with Jools Holland” Wows Crowd

Iowa’s Son of the Soil Confirms Appearance at Bonnaroo, Headlines June Tour

Forget auto-tune, background singers and flashy stage production. The real test of a true talent is to get in front of a live audience (not to mention hundreds of thousands of television viewers) with nothing but your own voice, an acoustic guitar and a boot heel for percussion, which is exactly what William Elliott Whitmore did when he recently appeared on the long running and wildly popular UK music program “Later…with Jools Holland” to perform “Old Devils” off his ANTI- Records debut Animals in the Dark. And, as they say, the crowd went wild. See for yourself here.

Will took a few weeks off after a full European tour, and sets out again tomorrow for a headlining US tour with eclectic, operatic indie rockers Fake Problems and indie-folk outfit Frontier Ruckus.

Animals in the Dark came out in February to wide acclaim. Jonathan Zwickel at the Seattle Times wrote "you hear the diesel engine growl of his voice, the century of blues and folk tradition behind his banjo-driven stomps, the everyday relevance of his lyrics, and you succumb." Straddling the punk world where he cut his teeth and the Americana folk scene that has embraced him, Will Whitmore’s honesty and sincerity cuts a wide swath of appeal, a refreshing voice in a world filled with lip synchers and computer-augmented skills.

04-29 Bottom Of The Hill San Francisco CA
04-30 Downtown Brewing Co San Luis Obispo CA
05-01 The OC Tavern San Clemente CA
05-02 Knitting Factory Los Angeles CA
05-03 Casbah San Diego CA
05-04 Chyro Arts Scottsdale AZ
05-07 Lucky's Wichita KS
05-08 The Waiting Room Omaha NE
05-09 Outland Ballroom Springfield MO
05-10 Exit Inn Nashville TN
05-11 The Basement Columbus OH
05-13 Mohawk Place Buffalo NY
05-14 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights OH
05-15 Macs Bar Lansing MI
05-16 Stonefly Brewery Milwaukee WI
05-17 The House Cafe DeKalb IL
06-13 Bonnaroo Music Festival Manchester TN
07-24 Rock Island Brewing Company Rock Island IL
07-25 10,000 Lakes Festival Detroit Lakes MN

WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE ANNOUNCES WEST COAST TOUR DATE WITH FAKE PROBLEMS

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:04:00 -0700

Firebrand Singer in Support of His New Album Animals in the Dark
 Forget overblown theatrics and hackneyed rock star poses and instead witness the undeniable power of a man taking the stage alone with his songs and conviction to spare. William Elliott Whitmore plays the kind of music - raw and seemingly untouched by pop culture - that has drawn young dissidents to folk music since before Dylan's time. Like a young Billy Bragg, or his self-proclaimed hero Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, Whitmore's innate populism and unaffected sincerity resonate with the alienated and imaginative youth culture that surrounds punk, a scene that has embraced him. Honing his skills playing with Against Me, Converge, the Street Dogs, his beloved Pogues and Lucero among others, Whitmore has the ability to quiet a rowdy crowd with just a banjo, a true testament to his powerful voice and unique vision. Whitmore will be heading out to tour the West Coast with Florida's swampy folk punks Fake Problems for what are sure to be some raucous and inspiring shows.

Praise for William Elliott Whitmore:

"Aside from this album (Animals in the Dark) - which, at under 40 minutes, is far too short - a William Elliott Whitmore concert ticket might just be the best 15 bucks you'll spend all month." - PopMatters

"And though these stark folk/blues tunes could be a century old, his tales of desperation, death, and despair crackle with agitprop punk urgency." - Spin

"With his just-released fifth solo effort Animals in the Dark, it's easy to hear what the fuss is about... If a guy like this showed up on American Idol, he could give Paula Abdul a nervous breakdown." - Time Out Chicago.

"Whitmore's baritone is a magnificent, even frightening instrument, impossibly thick and husky, deep and somber in a defiantly ageless manner." - Slant Magazine

"there's straightforward beauty in his down home blues and an uncompromising punk rock soul." - Jambase

William Elliott Whitmore North American Tour Dates (with Fake Problems)
Apr-29 Portland, OR - Bottom of the Hill Apr-30 San Louis Obispo, CA - Downtown Brew May-01 San Clemente, CA - OC Tavern May-02 Los Angeles, CA - The Knitting Factory May-03 San Diego, CA - The Casbah May-04 Phoenix, AZ - Chyro Arts

William Elliott Whitmore to Tour with City and Colour in the New Year

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:12:00 -0800

Whitmore's ANTI- Debut Animals In The Dark Out February 17 2009

William Elliott Whitmore is set to spend the month of January travelling from the snowy east to sunnier climes as his tour with City and Colour makes its way from Detroit on January 9th to finish in Los Angeles on January 28.

Whitmore's ANTI- Records debut Animals in the Dark comes out the following month on February 17. Several of the songs such as "Old Devils" and "Mutiny" find Whitmore's focus turned outward to the state of the union and the misdirection of its leaders, yet his tales are told with such frank ire and acrid humor that they could easily be taken as Depression-era protest classics. Those songs are balanced with tracks more in line with Whitmore's previous work, the modern hymn of "There's Hope For You" and the stirring "Who Stole the Soul." While beautiful simplicity is familiar ground for the 30 year old Iowan, more than not Animals in the Dark highlights an artist stepping out. On this record Whitmore adds strings, a pedal steel, an organ, putting the songs into full arrangements and a band context for the first time. The results are a more expansive sound, without sacrificing any of the heart that has garnered Whitmore such devoted fans and critical acclaim.

The City and Colour/William Elliott Whitmore pairing is seemingly a match made in heaven. Both Whitmore and C&C's Dallas Green have roots firmly established in the punk rock scene, the former in his D.I.Y attitude and raw aesthetic, the latter with his pedigree as the singer for the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. Yet both Whitmore and Green have a deep appreciation for American roots music, which will be highlighted on the tour. Expect to see studded leather jackets and dungarees both.

William Elliott Whitmore on tour with City and Colour:
Jan-09 Detroit MI, The Fillmore
Jan-10 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom (seated)
Jan-11 Cambridge, MA Middle East
Jan-12 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Jan-13 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Jan-14 Washington, DC Black Cat
Jan-15 Philadelphia, PA World Café (seated)
Jan-22 Chicago, IL Lakeshore Theater
Jan-23 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theatre (seated)
Jan-24 Omaha, NE Waiting Room
Jan-25 Denver, CO Bluebird Theatre (partially seated)
Jan-27 San Francisco, CA Slims
Jan-28 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre

ANTI- Records Looks Back at a Stellar 2008 and Hints at 2009 with Free New Sampler

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:11:00 -0800

Featuring Brand-New Tracks from N.A.S.A, Ramblin Jack Elliott and William Elliott Whitmore

ANTI- Records launched its new 08/09 music sampler today on-line via the ANTI- blog and in stores with dozens of participating independent retailers around the country. In a special promotion running through the holidays, local music retailers will be offering the newest releases from ten of ANTI's latest and greatest artists for under $10. With purchase, the buyer will receive a copy of the new ANTI- sampler, or it can be downloaded for free directly from the ANTI- blog.

It is both a look back at a spectacular 2008, which saw releases from artists such as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Jolie Holland and Michael Franti & Spearhead called "career bests," and a look into the New Year, including the following:

• "Spacious Thoughts" - N.A.S.A (featuring Tom Waits and Kool Keith)

From masterminds Squeak E Clean (Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon (Ze Gonzales) comes the first track from the highly anticipated debut release The Spirit Of Apollo (out Feb 17 2009). The record - which pairs indie darlings such as Karen O, Santogold, the Cool Kids and M.I.A, with hip hop stars like Kanye West, Chuck D, KRS-One and Ghostface Killah - takes the "less is more" concept and turns it on its head, layering up to four famous voices over vintage Brazilian funk tracks and turntable wizardry.

• "Old Devils" - William Elliott Whimore

Iowa's own son of the soil William Elliott Whitmore premieres his first track off his ANTI- debut Animals in the Dark (out Feb 17 2009). With the old-soul voice of a master country blues balladeer and a devoted following in the punk, folk and indie rock worlds, Will captures the imagination with his raw, populist songs, seemingly untouched by pop culture.

• "Soul Of A Man" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

He stole James Dean's girl, listened for two days while Jack Keroac read him On the Road and taught Dylan everything he knew, now Ramblin' Jack Elliott is trying something new: lending his plaintive drawl to Depression-era blues classics. Produced by Joe Henry (Elvis Costello, Solomon Burke, Bettye LaVette), the new album also features guest appearances from David Hidalgo (Los Lobos, Tom Waits) and Van Dyke Parks. Out April 7.

2009 will also see new releases from Neko Case, Bob Mould and the legendary Booker T Jones, of Booker T and the MGs fame.

Anti- Records 08/09 Sampler tracklisting:
01. "Mexico City" - Jolie Holland
02. "Pieces Of You" - Islands
03. "Say Hey (I Love You)" - Michael Franti & Spearhead
04. "Whispers" - Lyrics Born
05. "Freedom Highway" - Mavis Staples
06. "Big Mistake" - Tim Fite
07. "Rabbit Habits" - Man Man
08. "Spacious Thoughts" (feat. Tom Waits & Kook Keith) - N.A.S.A.
09. "DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!!" - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
10. "Old Devils" - William Elliott Whitmore
11. "Freedom" - Billy Bragg
12. "Real Estate" - Cadence Weapon
13. "This World As We Know It" - Xavier Rudd
14. "Very Temporary" - Bob Mould
15. "Friend For Life" - Ersi Arvizu
16. "New World" - DeVotchKa
17. "Soul Of A Man" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Participating retailers:
STINKWEEDS - Phoenix, AZ
Zia - Phoenix, AZ
BOO BOO RECORDS - San Luis Obispo, CA
Fingerprints - Long Beach, CA
Lou's Records - Encinitas, CA
M-THEORY - San Diego, CA
Rasputin - San Francisco, CA
Rhino/Mad Platter - Claremont, CA
Salzer's - Ventura, CA
Streetlight - San Jose, CA
Twist and Shout - Denver, CO
EXILE ON MAIN ST - Branford, CT
Rainbow Books Music - Newark, DE
CD Connection - Jacksonville, FL
Central Square - Santa Rosa, FL
Park Avenue CD - Orlando, FL
Uncle Sam's Miami Beach, FL
VINYL FEVER - TAMPA - Tampa, FL
CRIMINAL RECORDS - Atlanta, GA
CRIMINAL/AURORA - Atlanta, GA
Record Exchange - Boise, ID
Indy CD & Vinyl - Indianapolis, IN
LANDLOCKED MUSIC - Bloomington, IN
LUNA MUSIC - Indianapolis, IN
Kief's - Lawrence, KS
CD CENTRAL - Lexington, KY
earX-tacy - Louisville, KY
Newbury Comics - Boston, MA
Bull Moose - Portland, ME
ROCK-A-BILLYS - Utica, MI
Electric Fetus - Minneapolis, MN
VINTAGE VINYL - St Louis, MO
Schoolkids - Raleigh, NC
Homer's - Omaha, NE
Lakeshore Record - Rochester, NY
Looney Tunes - West Babylon, NY
Record Archive - Rochester, NY
CULTURE CLASH - Toledo, OH
Finders Records - Bowling Green, OH
Magnolia Thunderpussy - Columbus, OH
SHAKE IT - Cincinnati, OH
Guestroom Records - Norman, OK
Guestroom Records - OKC, OK
CD World - Eugene, OR
JACKPOT RECORDS - Portland, OR
JACKPOT RECORDS - Portland, OR
Music Millennium - Portland, OR
Earshot - Greenville, SC
52.5 - Charleston, SC
Disc Exchange - Knoxville, TN
GRIMEY'S - Nashville, TN
Cactus - Houston, TX
END OF AN EAR - Austin, TX
GOOD RECORDS - Dallas, TX
Waterloo - Austin, TX
SLOW TRAIN - Salt Lake City, UT
Plan 9 - Richmond, VA
Pure Pop - Burlington, VT
Easy Street - Seattle, WA
HOT POOP - Walla Walla, WA
SONIC BOOM - Seattle, WA
SONIC BOOM - Seattle, WA
ATOMIC RECORDS - Milwaukee, WI

William Elliott Whitmore Set to Release Animals In The Dark February 17th, 2009

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:10:00 -0700

ANTI- Records Debut Marks a More Expansive Sound and Worldview for Iowa's Son of the Soil

Tour with Murder By Death Begins 10/23

From the first lines of "Mutiny," the opening track on William Elliott Whitmore's ANTI- Records debut Animals In The Dark, one can see that this is decidedly not simply a continuation of his Southern trilogy that spanned his last three releases. Rather than a reflection of life and loss and the world surrounding his Iowa horse farm on the banks of the Mississippi, "Mutiny" finds Whitmore's focus turned outward, to the state of the country and the missteps of the government. Conveyed with ire and humor, Whitmore sings over a martial beat:

Well it's a goddamn shame what's going down
How we got to this I do not know
There's a sick sick wind that is blowing ‘round
And the captain's got to go

Yet Animals In The Dark, is by no means a political record. It has more in common with the preacher blues of Reverend Gary Davis or the romantic populism of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska than it does a Billy Bragg record. What Animals In The Dark highlights is the maturation and growth of an exemplary artist. On the release, Whitmore showcases his classic songwriting and mastery of the acoustic guitar and banjo, but adds elements such as strings, an organ and a pedal steel, putting the songs into full arrangements and a band context for the first time. The results are a more expansive, cultivated sound, without losing any of the palpable soul that has garnered the 30 year old such critical acclaim.

William Elliott Whitmore naturally bridges the Americana music scene which embraces his sound and the Midwestern DIY rock movement which holds him as one of their own. Beginning on October 23rd, Whitmore sets out on tour with dark country rockers Murder By Death.

William Elliott Whitmore on tour:
Oct 23 Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, Georgia
Oct 24 Backbooth - Orlando, Florida
Oct 25 Common Grounds - Gainesville, Florida
Oct 27 Bottletree - Birmingham, Alabama
Oct 28 One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, Louisiana
Oct 29 Thirsty Hippo - Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Oct 30 Rubber Gloves - Denton, Texas
Oct 31 Stubb's BBQ - Austin, Texas
Nov 1 Marquee - Tulsa, Oklahoma
Nov 2 Foundry Music Theatre - Joplin, Missouri
Nov 4 Uncle Pleasants - Louisville, Kentucky
Nov 5 Brewery - Raleigh, North Carolina
Nov 6 Steppin Out - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Nov 7 Canal Club Lounge - Richmond, Virginia
Nov 8 Ottobar - Baltimore, Maryland
Nov 9 First Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nov 11 Maxwell's - Hoboken, New Jersey
Nov 12 Southpaw - Brooklyn, New York
Nov 13 Pearl Street - Northampton, Massachusetts
Nov 14 Higher Ground - S. Burlington, Vermont
Nov 15 Cafe 939 at Berklee - Boston, Massachusetts
Nov 17 Mohawk Place - Buffalo, New York
Nov 18 Club Cafe - Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Nov 19 Basement - Columbus, Ohio
Nov 20 Metro - Chicago, Illinois
Nov 21 Mac's Bar - Lansing, Michigan
Nov 22 Grog Shop - Cleveland, Ohio

ANTI SIGNS WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:02:00 -0800

Young Punk with an Old Soul Brings His Take on Traditional American Music to Eclectic Label

Anti- Records, home to such notable artists as Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Neko Case, is pleased to announce the signing of William Elliott Whitmore.

Though young in years, Whitmore seems to channel the spirit and sound of a time long gone, when music was less about flash and self-promotion, and more the lament and celebration of daily life.

Born, raised and still residing on a working farm in Iowa, Whitmore tells stories of his life and the lives of those around him. His three previous records are full of tales of loss and triumph, droughts and floods. The spare arrangements of Whitmore's gravelly voice, accompanied by a guitar or his grandfather's banjo, are still more than enough to convey the heart of the heartland that is contained in his songs.

Still, Whitmore's career has not been one of just gazing backward. The contemporary influences of punk and skateboarding show up in everything from his tattoos to his D.I.Y work ethic, and lend a certain ire to his music.

"Over three albums, William Elliott Whitmore has consistently delivered music with a rare authenticity and authority... like his predecessors, Whitmore has the heart of a poet, one with a knack of chronicling the bent back and aching soul of the common man." -No Depression

Details on William Elliot Whitmore's Anti- debut will be available shortly. In the meantime, check out songs from this remarkable artist here.