William Elliott Whitmore Recent News

William Elliott Whitmore Announces Tour Dates With Low Anthem And James Vincent McMorrow

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:08:00 -0700

On his heralded new album Field Songs, exhilarating young troubadour William Elliott Whitmore lends a voice of absolute conviction and compassion to the struggles and perseverance of the American farmer. Still based on the small family farm in Iowa on which he was raised, Whitmore is an artist uniquely suited to capture this profoundly important and seemingly vanishing landscape.

It was this powerful connection between artist and subject which resonated so noticeably throughout Whitmore’s recent interview and performance on the popular NPR radio show Talk of the Nation. As he spoke and played songs from his new album, calls came flooding into the station from farmers in the field, one even sitting on a tractor as he spoke. Listening to the show they were inspired to speak of their lives, the time honored rituals which they embrace and of the music which sustains them.

William Elliott Whitmore’s appearance on NPR’s Talk of the Nation, which has since become a favorite amongst listeners, can be heard by going here.

Whitmore is now taking to the road for some North American performance dates, bringing his unique and impassioned voice to a turbulent nation. He will be sharing a series of dates with celebrated folk rockers Low Anthem and then with young Irish singer-songwriter James Vincent McMorrow on the West Coast.

A review of Whitmore’s Field Songs at Pitchfork.com offered, “His deep, gnarled vocals suggest a particularly well-trod life… There's a dignity to his work, which is unfussy and ambivalent to trends… his voice is very much the focus. Weary and full of crags… it's impressively wide and strong, imbuing his compositions with a kind of welcome toughness. Folk music has a reputation for limpness, but Whitmore's vocals are energizing-- they give these tracks backbone.”

Additional Acclaim For Field Songs:

"Field Songs" is a touching effort from an uncommon songwriter - a tender, fond reflection on rural America. “- Washington Post

"Through a unified blend of graceful melodies and powerful vocals, William Elliott Whitmore generates a sincere message - to reap a sweet harvest of happiness, listeners must work through the fields of pain." - Paste

"Field Songs is Whitmore's masterpiece thus far: unflinching, stubborn, demonstrative, and inspiring." – AllMusic

"Ground down to little more than banjo, unadorned acoustic guitar and foot stomps, his music is profoundly redolent of America’s agricultural heartland, while his voice summons up the ghost of some atavistic gospel shouter." - Uncut Magazine

William Elliott Whitmore Tour Dates:

Aug. 19 - Keokuk, IA - Rollin on the River Music Fest
Sept. 10 - Columbia, MO – Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Fest
Sept. 10 – Columbia, MO – Mojo’s w/ Murder By Death
Sept. 14 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live w/ Low Anthem
Sept. 15 – Washington, D.C. – 9:30 Club w/ Low Anthem
Sept. 16 – Marlinton, WV – Pocahontas County Opera House w/ Low Anthem
Sept. 17 – Richmond, VA – The Camel
Sept. 18 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 w/ Low Anthem
Sept. 19 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre w/ Low Anthem
Sept. 20 – Asheville, NC – Grey Eagle Tavern w/ Low Anthem
Sept. 23 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's w/ James Vincent McMorrow
Sept. 24 – Los Angeles, CA - Bootleg Theatre w/ James Vincent McMorrow
Sept. 25 – Los Angeles, CA - Bootleg Theatre w/ James Vincent McMorrow
Oct. 08 – Stoughton, WI – Stoughton Opera House
Oct. 21 – Seattle, WA – City Arts Festival @ Neumo’s
Nov. 16 - London, England - Roundhouse w/ Low Anthem

Sixteen ANTI Artists Participate In 'Raise Your Voice!,' A Free Album In Support Of Public Broadcast

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:08:00 -0700

170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting and ANTI- Records are pleased to announce the release of Raise Your Voice!, a 16-track compilation of music from ANTI- artists being offered as a free download to advocates for public broadcasting. Anyone who signs up to join the campaign can download the compilation -- available for a limited time only -- by visiting RYVoice.org. Supporters will also have the opportunity to share Raise Your Voice! with their friends and social networks.

Artists contributing tracks to Raise Your Voice! include Wilco, Tom Waits, Neko Case, Booker T. Jones, Man Man, Dr. Dog, Mavis Staples, Jolie Holland, William Elliott Whitmore, Tinariwen, Lost In The Trees, Sean Rowe, Marketa Irglova, Joe Henry, The Swell Season and DeVotchKa

Public broadcasting offers millions of hours of free music, arts and cultural programming to American audiences, thanks in part to federal funding. From national music programs such as public television’s Austin City Limits and public radio’s Mountain Stage to the diverse local programming on public radio music stations throughout the country, public broadcasting is a vital part of our nation’s musical landscape.

Public radio preserves American culture and is one of the only places left where uniquely American music -- jazz, rock, bluegrass and classical -- can be heard by a mass audience. Public radio stations around the country play an important role in the music economy and have created a valuable partnership that connects audiences to music, and all those who devote their lives to it—performers, singer-songwriters, musicians, lyricists and composers. More than 100 local public radio stations broadcast full-time music and hundreds more include music as part of their programming lineups.

While the average station gets the majority of its funding from listeners, underwriters and other local sources, federal funding helps close the gap and keep many small and rural stations on the air. Without federal funding these stations could go dark and the platform that they’ve provided for so many musicians could go with it.

“We are thrilled to offer Raise Your Voice! to our advocates,” said Jeff Nelson, co-director , 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting. “It is critical that we raise awareness about the importance of public broadcasting to music in America as we make our case to Congress to maintain federal funding for local stations across the country. We are grateful to ANTI- and these fantastic artists for their generosity and for standing up in support for public broadcasting.”

Ari Picker, frontman for ANTI- band Lost in the Trees added, “Our culture needs public broadcasting. And public radio has been an enormous resource for musicians like myself. I feel extremely privileged to donate our music to Raise Your Voice! to boost awareness about the need to protect public broadcasting in America.”

The website for Raise Your Voice! was created by Oniracom, a Santa Barbara-based audience marketing agency for music and entertainment.

About 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting

The 170 Million Americans for Public Broadcasting campaign is a collaboration of public radio and television stations, national organizations, producers, viewers and listeners throughout the country who understand the critical need for a strong public media in the United States. The campaign is co-managed by the Association of Public Television Stations and American Public Media on behalf of more than 400 station partners. The centerpieces of the effort are its website, 170MillionAmericans.org, Facebook page, Facebook.com/170Million, and Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/#!/170million,that give supporters of public media a way to take action in support of their local public radio and television stations.

About ANTI-Records

Epitaph Records was founded in 1981 by Brett Gurewitz of the influential punk rock band Bad Religion. This incredibly diverse and resolutely artist friendly label first entered the annals of pop culture in the early 90s when it introduced previously underground artists such as Rancid, The Offspring and Pennywise to a vastly larger audience, earning the bands gold and platinum records, and forever changing the sound of popular music. Epitaph has since added additional imprint ANTI-Records, which has developed into an independent power house servicing a roster of acclaimed and iconic artists such as Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Neko Case, Mavis Staples and many more. Epitaph Records currently operates out of offices in Los Angeles, Canada, Melbourne and the Netherlands.

William Elliott Whitmore Set To Appear On NPR's Talk Of The Nation Today

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:07:00 -0700

Critically heralded young troubadour William Elliott Whitmore is set to appear on NPR's popular national radio show Talk of the Nation today Monday, July 25th at 3:40 PM Eastern Time. The show is broadcast live and Whitmore will be taking calls from listeners at 1-800-989-8255 (TALK), chatting with the hosts and performing songs from his acclaimed new album Field Songs.

AllMusic recently proclaimed Field Songs a “masterpiece” while Uncut Magazine said of Whitmore’s latest work, "Ground down to little more than banjo, unadorned acoustic guitar and foot stomps, his music is profoundly redolent of America’s agricultural heartland, while his voice summons up the ghost of some atavistic gospel shouter.”

Listeners can tune in to their local NPR station to hear Whitmore on Talk Of The Nation. For more information, just go to: http://www.npr.org/programs/talk-of-the-nation

If NPR’s Talk of the Nation doesn't air in a particular area, it can be streamed on line at: http://iowapublicradio.org

William Elliott Whitmore Tour Dates:

July 24- Red Palace – Washington, D.C.
July 26 - Club Café - Pittsburgh, PA
July 27 - Southgate House - Newport, KY w/ Trampled by Turtles
July 28 - Off Broadway - St. Louis, MO
July 29 - Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL
July 30 - Riversong Music Fest - Hutchinson, MN
Aug. 09 - North Dakota Museum of Art - Grands Fork, ND
Aug. 19 - Rollin on the River Music Fest - Keokuk, IA
Sept. 10 – Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Fest - Columbia, MO
Sept. 10 – Mojo’s – Columbia, MO w/ Murder By Death
Sept. 23 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA w/ James Vincent McMorrow
Sept. 24 - Bootleg Theatre – Los Angeles, CA w/ James Vincent McMorrow
Oct. 08 – Stoughton Opera House – Stoughton, WI

William Elliott Whitmore Releases New Album 'Field Songs,' Premieres Video

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:07:00 -0700

Impassioned singer-songwriter William Elliott Whitmore will release his acclaimed new album Field Songs via Anti-Records today July 12th. The remarkable new record finds the punk inspired young troubadour utilizing a powerful singing voice beyond his years along with a remarkable sound rooted in bluegrass, blues and classic folk protest music. The new songs vividly evoke days of struggle, humble resilience and family bond inspired by life on his family’s farm along the Mississippi River. The site All Music recently proclaimed Field Songs as, “Whitmore’s masterpiece."

A cinematic new video for the album’s title track is now available care of the music magazine Relix. To view this evocative and intensely moving tribute to a disappearing American way of life, just go to Relix.

Advance Praise For William Elliott Whitmore’s Field Songs:

"Ground down to little more than banjo, unadorned acoustic guitar and foot stomps, his music is profoundly redolent of America’s agricultural heartland, while his voice summons up the ghost of some atavistic gospel shouter." – Uncut Magazine

"Whitmore once again pours his heart and soul into each and every song. There’s a timeless quality to the songs Whitmore writes and the impact of his words stay with you long after the CD stops spinning." - The Daily News

"Whitmore transports the listener to the front porch of his Lee County family farm as though we were singing songs of heartfelt defiance and optimism from a rocking chair - utterly compelling." - Cityview

William Elliott Whitmore In-Store Performances:

Live at Record Collector
Tuesday 7/12 @ 6pm (street date)
116 South Linn Street
Iowa City, IA 52240

Live at Logan Hardware
Thursday 7/14 @ 9pm
2410 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60647

Live at Vintage Vinyl
Thursday July 28th @6pm
6610 Delmar Ave
St. Louis, MO 63130

William Elliot Whitmore Live Dates:
July 15 – The Strutt – Kalamazoo, MI
July 16 – Smalls – Hamtramck, MI
July 17 – Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY
July 19 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
July 20 – BAR – New Haven, CT
July 22 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
July 23 – Great Scott – Allston, MA
July 24 - Red Palace – Washington, D.C.
July 26 – Club Café – Pittsburgh, PA
July 27 – Southgate House – Newport, KY
July 28 – Off Broadway Nightclub – St. Louis, MO
July 29 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
July 30 – Riversong Music Festival – Hutchinson, MN
Aug 09 – North Dakota Museum of Art – Grand Forks, ND
Aug 19 – Rollin’ On The River Festival – Keokuk, IA
Sep 10 – Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival – Columbia, MO

William Elliott Whitmore Premieres New Album 'Field Songs'

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:07:00 -0700

Starting today you can stream William Elliott Whitmore's brand new album Field Songs in its entirety over at Paste Magazine! Just click here to listen, then swing by the ANTI Store to pre-order your copy of the album before it's in stores on July 12th.

William Elliott Whitmore Previews "Field Song" From New Album

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:06:00 -0700

Fiery singer songwriter William Elliott Whitmore’s brand new album Field Songs will be released on July 12th via Anti Records. In anticipation, the charismatic and deeply impassioned troubadour from rural Iowa will be offering an MP3 of the record’s title song on June 14th.

The track “Field Song” is a heartfelt and moving tribute to a disappearing America of small family farms and a proud working class from someone who knows the landscape intimately. The song showcases a beautiful tapestry of sound into the scenery of Whitmore’s life growing up and working on the family farm. Having built his own house by hand on a part of his family’s acreage to be close to his grandmother, he speaks of a simpler more peaceful way of living by building, growing, and creating life through nature with good old fashioned hard work.

Fans will be able to stream “Field Song” by going to William Elliott Whitmore on Facebook and clicking the "like" button!

"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." Seattle Times

William Elliot Whitmore Live Dates:

July 2 – Rock Island Brewing Company – Rock Island, IL
July 15 – The Strutt – Kalamazoo, MI
July 16 – Smalls – Hamtramck, MI
July 17 – Mohawk Place – Buffalo, NY
July 19 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
July 20 – BAR – New Haven, CT
July 22 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
July 23 – Great Scott – Allston, MA
July 24 - Red Palace – Washington, D.C.
July 26 – Club Café – Pittsburgh, PA
July 27 – Southgate House – Newport, KY
July 28 – Off Broadway Nightclub – St. Louis, MO
July 29 – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL
July 30 – Riversong Music Festival – Hutchinson, MN
Aug 09 – North Dakota Museum of Art – Grand Forks, ND
Aug 19 – Rollin’ On The River Festival – Keokuk, IA
Sep 10 – Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival – Columbia, MO

Pre-Order New Albums From Jolie Holland And William Elliott Whitmore

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:06:00 -0700

Two new pre-orders are now up at the ANTI Store. Jolie Holland's Pint Of Blood (out June 28th) and William Elliott Whitmore's Field Songs (out July 12th) are both available on CD and vinyl. To pre-order your copies, click here.

William Elliott Whitmore Premieres Song From New Album 'Field Songs'

Wed, 11 May 2011 00:05:00 -0700

The new album Field Songs by acclaimed singer-songwriter William Elliott Whitmore is due to arrive in stores this July 12th via Anti-Records. The album finds the fiery troubadour musically detailing the rural landscapes, characters and culture of a youth spent on a family farm along the Mississippi River.

You can view the iconic cover art above and preview the first single from Field Songs, a plaintive and moving ode to a vanishing rural life entitled “Everything Gets Gone” by going to: http://soundcloud.com/antirecords/william-elliott-whitmore

William Elliott Whitmore recently completed a sold out tour opening for rock singer Chris Cornell where, night after night, the lone singer won over crowds of the uninitiated with his songs of heartfelt defiance. As Creative Loafing recently said of the man, "Whitmore writes songs as honest as Abe Lincoln, takes to the road to share these songs with rooms full of people who’ve likely never heard them, and turns these strangers into fanatics nightly."

Field Songs EPK - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN51ZhmMNEU

Track Listing For William Elliott Whitmore’s Field Songs:

1. Bury Your Burdens In The Ground - 5:14
2. Field Song - 3:43
3. Don't Need It - 3:33
4. Everything Gets Gone - 4:16
5. Let's Do Something Impossible - 3:20
6. Get There From Here - 3:56
7. We'll Carry On - 4:03
8 Not Feeling Any Pain - 6:02

William Elliott Whitmore Announces New Album

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:04:00 -0700

On his forthcoming new album Field Songs, due out July 12th on Anti-Records, impassioned troubadour William Elliott Whitmore documents a vanishing American landscape with all the heartfelt soul and quiet fury one would hope for. “Heartland firebrand blows fuse, fights for truth" heralded Spin Magazine when describing Whitmore, who utilizes a powerful singing voice beyond his years and a stark dramatic sound rooted in bluegrass, blues and folk protest music. The new songs vividly evoke a life of struggle, humble resilience and family bond undoubtedly inspired by life on his family’s farm along the Mississippi River.

William Elliott Whitmore has been building a reputation as an absolutely stirring live performer able to convert crowds with just his banjo and voice. Creative Loafing stated, "Whitmore writes songs as honest as Abe Lincoln, takes to the road to share these songs with rooms full of people who’ve likely never heard them, and turns these strangers into fanatics nightly" while the Seattle Times offered, “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."

William Elliot Whitmore is currently traversing the country with his songs of humble defiance on the completely sold out acoustic tour with rock singer Chris Cornell.

William Elliott Whitmore Tour Dates (with Chris Cornell):

Apr 12 - New York, NY - Town Hall Theatre
Apr 13 - New York, NY - Town Hall Theatre
Apr 15 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata - Music Box
Apr 16 – Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
Apr 17 – Washington, D.C. - Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
Apr 19 – Poughkeepsie, NY - Bardavon
Apr 20 – Toronto, ONT - Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Apr 22 – Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
Apr 23 – Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
Apr 24 – St. Paul, MN - Fitzgerald Theatre
Apr 26 – Edmonton, AB – Winspear Centre
Apr 27 - Medicine Hat, AB - Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
Apr 29 – Victoria, AB - Royal Theatre
Apr 30 – Coquitlam, BC - Red Robinson Show Theatre Blank
May 01 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre
May 03 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
May 04 - Los Angeles, CA - John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
May 05 - Los Angeles, CA - John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
May 06 - San Diego, CA - Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

William Elliott Whitmore Lends Track To The World Of Red Dead Redemption

Fri, 28 May 2010 00:05:00 -0700

Anti-Records artist William Elliott Whitmore has the kind of voice that conjures images of a hard lived Americana. The rural Iowa native combines a stark folk and blues with a punk intensity to create a sound ideal for the haunting landscape of the dying West featured in the critically lauded hit game Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar Games. The game tells the story of former outlaw John Marston, blackmailed by federal agents and sent back to the frontier to hunt down the members of his former gang in an epic tale of justice and salvation. The game has received acclaim for its depiction of the Old West, open world environment and its moody atmospheric soundtrack. While most of the 18 track score was created by Bill Elm and Woody Jackson, both of whom played in instrumental band Friends Of Dean Martinez, William Elliott Whitmore contributes a powerful a-cappella interpretation of “Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie,” a mournful cowboy classic adapted from an even older sailor song. The song is an ideal introduction to the Whitmore’s unique and powerful voice as exemplified on his latest Anti Records release Animals In The Dark.

30 second preview of “Bury Me Not On The Lone Prairie” - http://bit.ly/9W2RSN

William Elliott Whitmore Tour Dates:
July 3, 2010 - 80/35 Music Festival - Des Moines, IA
August 20, 2010 - Rollin' on the River Festival - Keokuk, IA