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William Elliott Whitmore

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William Elliott Whitmore
William Elliott Whitmore performing in 2015
Whitmore performing in 2015
Background information
Birth nameWilliam Elliott Whitmore
Also known asW.E.W.
Will Whitmore
Born (1978-05-11) May 11, 1978 (age 46)
Lee County, Iowa, U.S.
GenresAlternative country
Blues
Folk music
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
guitar
banjo
Years active1999–present
LabelsBloodshot Records
ANTI-
Southern Records
Scenester Credentials
WebsiteWilliamElliottWhitmore.com

William Elliott Whitmore (born May 11, 1978) is an American blues, country, folk singer and musician.[1][2] He plays roots-folk music that is often inspired by his life on his family farm in the hills of southeastern Iowa.[3][4]

Early life and education

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Whitmore grew up on a 160-acre horse farm in Lee County, Iowa, not far outside of Keokuk, Iowa. His parents, Elyse Whitmore (née Tweedy) and Harold Whitmore,[5] were farmers, and the farm had been in his family since his third great-grandfather, who was an immigrant from Ireland.[6] After his parents died, he converted the farm to row crops, which he leases to a neighboring farmer so he can be on the road to perform. He has an older brother and sister.[7]

While he was growing up, the family was musical, with his dad playing the guitar, his mother playing the accordion and piano, and both his paternal and maternal grandfathers playing the banjo.[8] Charley Pride and Willie Nelson were huge influences growing up. Whitmore sang from his earliest years, but when he was a teenager he began playing guitar, then eventually the banjo.[7]

In addition to playing locally with a cousin, Whitmore, after a short stint in San Francisco, moved to Iowa City and got involved in the punk rock and the DIY scene, forming a band called Lost Cause.[7]

In 1996, Whitmore graduated from Central Lee High School in Donnellson, Iowa.[9]

Career

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When he was first starting out, Whitmore was a roadie for an Iowa City punk band called Ten Grand, but he eventually started performing as an opener for the band and toured extensively with Ten Grand.[10] This led to him getting signed to the Chicago-based office of Southern Records.[7] Whitmore said he turned to songwriting as a way to deal with the deaths of his parents, who died within a few years of each other, and the deaths of his grandparents.[11]

Whitmore built a long-term relationship with Southern Records, releasing three records on the label. The three records on Southern, 2003's Hymns for the Hopeless, 2005's Ashes to Dust, and 2006's Song of the Blackbird, were a trilogy that were focused on death and his experience processing the deaths of those close to him.[12] He recorded the records with Mike Lust at Phantom Manor in Chicago.[11]

In 2009, Whitmore signed with mini-major ANTI-, where he released three records.[7] The first record for ANTI-, 2009's Animals in the Dark, was a concept album. It reached Number 50 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.

The song "Civilizations" off his 2015 record, Radium Death, is about how an oil pipeline running from South Dakota to Illinois was going to go through his grandmother's property on their farm.[13]

In 2016, Whitmore worked with gold-selling recording artist Esmé Patterson, whom he had toured with in 2015,[14] to create a record in which they each played a song written by the other on each side of a split 7" double-sided single, released by Bloodshot Records[15] in November, 2016 and acquired by Rough Trade Records as a limited edition printing.[16] Entitled Play Each Other's Songs, the A side features Whitmore covering Esmé Patterson's song "Elysium", and Patterson in turn covering Whitmore's "Not Feeling Any Pain" on the B side.[17] The record garnered favorable reviews by critics and a video shot in downtown Los Angeles featuring Patterson dancing to her cover of Whitmore's song.[18]

In April 2018, Whitmore signed with Bloodshot Records, with a new release expected in the fall of 2018.[19][20]

The 2018 record is a covers record called Kilonova. Covers include songs by Bad Religion, Bill Withers, Captain Beefheart, Johnny Cash, The Magnetic Fields, and ZZ Top.[21]

Whitmore has toured with Chris Cornell, City and Colour, Murder by Death, Clutch, Lucero, Converge, Red Sparowes, Modern Life is War, Frontier Ruckus, Frank Turner, Esmé Patterson and The Low Anthem.[citation needed]

His live act features Whitmore's distinctive deep baritone voice,[2][22] and features Whitmore playing the banjo or guitar while singing, though on occasion he performs a cappella. He sometimes tours with a full band, but often plays roots-folk music as a solo act.[7]

Whitmore has a long-term musical relationship with his cousin Luke Tweedy, head engineer and producer at Iowa City's Flat Black Studios.[23]

Middle Western

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In 2016, Whitmore and musician and producer David Zollo formed the folk band Middle Western.[24] An upcoming record is planned.[25] Other members of Middle Western include Stephen Howard (guitar, bass), Stevie Doyle (guitar, bass), and Brian Cooper (drums).[26]

Personal life

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Whitmore is married and lives on the farm where he grew up. His daughter was born in March 2020.[27][28][29]

Whitmore has stated that he is an atheist.[13]

Discography

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Albums

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Middle Western

  • 2018: When Your Demons are Underground and You’ve Got to Dig Them Up (Long Play Records)[38]

Singles/EPs

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  • 2004: The Day The End Finally Came........ 7" (Southern Records) – A: "The Day The End Finally Came / B1: "Does Me No Good," B2: "The Buzzard Won't Cry"
  • 2005: Latitudes: WEW EP (Southern Records) – Latitudes session recordings series[39]

Compilations

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  • 2013: Early Years (Long Play Records) – 3 LP set of re-recorded and re-mastered versions of Whitmore's first three albums

Collaborations

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  • 2002: After The Gold Rush (CCAC Wattis Institute) – music and book collaboration with artist Jeremy Deller
  • 2004: Flaccid Trip / William E. Whitmore split (Scenester Credentials) – William Elliott Whitmore, "Somebody's Been Usin' That Thang" / FT (The Shadow Government), "Clique Track"[40]
  • 2006: Hallways of Always EP (Southern Records) – with Jenny Hoyston of Erase Errata[11]
  • 2010: Murder by Death & William Elliott Whitmore split (Tent Show Records) – Murder by Death, "One Man's Shame" / William Elliott Whitmore "Dynamite Mine"
  • 2011: William Elliott Whitmore / P.O.S. with Big Cats 7" vinyl split (Init Records) – William Elliott Whitmore, "Country Blues" / POS with Big Cats "Crack A Window"
  • 2015: No Eminent Domain 7" vinyl split (Long Play Records) – William Elliott Whitmore, "Civilizations" (Full Band Version)" / Hallways Of Always, "You Never Even Called Me by My Name"
  • 2016: Play Each Other's Songs 7" split (Bloodshot Records) – William Elliott Whitmore, "Elysium" / Esmé Patterson, "Not Feeling Any Pain"[17]

Contributions

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  • 2004: No Laws: Keep the Fuzz Off My Buzz 12" compilation (Modern Radio Records) – with Paradise Island, Let's Be Active, and FT (The Shadow Government); tracks: "I'm Building Me A Home" and "Farther Along"
  • 2005: When the Cat Returns the Mice Are Fucked compilation (Southern Records) – Various artists; track: "Midnight"
  • 2009: Hiram and Huddie – Vol. 1 & 2 (Hillgrass Bluebilly Records) – 2-CD tribute to Hank Williams and Lead Belly; tracks: "Mother Is Gone" and "The Gallis (Gallows) Pole"
  • 2010: Red Dead Redemption video game soundtrack (Wax Poetics Records) – track: "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie"[41]
  • 2010: Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion (MySpace Records in conjunction with Spin Magazine) – track: "Don't Pray on Me"
  • 2012: Iowa City Song Project (Maximum Ames Records) – track: "Run Johnny Run"[42]
  • 2014: While No One Was Looking: Toasting 20 Years of Bloodshot Records (Bloodshot Records) – track: “I Wish I Was the Moon” (Neko Case cover)

References

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  1. ^ Conan, Neal; Whitmore, William Elliott (July 25, 2011). "William Elliott Whitmore's 'Field Songs' Celebrate Farmers" (Audio interview). Talk of the Nation. NPR.
  2. ^ a b Heigl, Alex (March 27, 2015). "William Elliott Whitmore on Growing up on a Farm, Punk Rock, and Public Enemy". People.
  3. ^ Sundermann, Eric (March 24, 2015). "Being Regular and Normal with William Elliott Whitmore". Noisey.
  4. ^ Dye, David; Whitmore, William Elliott (August 1, 2011). "William Elliott Whitmore On 'World Cafe: Next'" (Includes audio performance). World Cafe. WXPN via NPR.
  5. ^ "Genealogy Report: Descendants of Wealthy Elliott". Pam-Dixon Family Tree. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  6. ^ Parker, Chris (February 7, 2012). "William Elliott Whitmore vs. the modern world". Kansas City Pitch.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Roberts, Michael (January 22, 2009). "Q&A with William Elliott Whitmore". Westword.
  8. ^ Wright, Levi (February 2, 2017). "Music for folks from the heart of Iowa". The Daily Iowan.
  9. ^ Lamm, Tracey (April 12, 2001). "Love of the land and music inspires Whitmore". Daily Gate City.
  10. ^ Spengler, Brendan L. (September 4, 2013). "Ten years after the band's sudden end, a history of Iowa City hardcore legends Ten Grand". Little Village.
  11. ^ a b c Bullock, Dan (March 26, 2007). "The smoke-stained howl of William Elliott Whitmore". OnMilwaukee.
  12. ^ a b Tramontana, Gianluca; Whitmore, William Elliott (2009). "William Elliott Whitmore". Sitting with Gianluca: From Country-Bluegrass-Blues to CBGBs. Archived from the original (Audio interview) on April 26, 2013.
  13. ^ a b Maurice, Raphael (August 31, 2016). "William Elliott Whitmore: Gospel Music For Atheists". St. Louis Magazine.
  14. ^ Davies, Mike (February 26, 2015). "New Album: William Elliott Whitmore – Radium Death". Folk Radio UK. Folk Radio UK. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  15. ^ AllMusic™. "Album Credits - "Play Each Other's Songs"". AllMusic.com. AllMusic Netaktion, LLC. Retrieved July 31, 2023. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ Rough Trade Records. "Product - William Elliott Whitmore and Esmé Patterson - Play Each Other's Somgs". RoughTrade.com. Rough Trade Records. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  17. ^ a b Discogs. "Summary - Release Code r9413041". Discogs.com. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  18. ^ Matasci, Matt (October 20, 2016). "WATCH: Esmé Patterson Releases New Video for "Not Feeling Any Pain" and Announces Split 7" with William Elliott Whitmore". mxdwn.com. mxdwn.com. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  19. ^ "William Elliott Whitmore Joins the Bloodshot Records Roster". Bloodshot Records. April 24, 2018.
  20. ^ Leimkuehler, Matthew (April 24, 2018). "Iowa's own William Elliott Whitmore inks deal with celebrated Chicago label". Des Moines Register.
  21. ^ Sacher, Andrew (July 10, 2018). "William Elliott Whitmore releasing covers album (hear his Magnetic Fields cover)". BrooklynVegan.
  22. ^ Sundermann, Eric (April 9, 2014). "Mission Creek Festival: The Anti-Bro Festival in Bro County, Iowa". Noisey.
  23. ^ Whitmore, William Elliott (February 23, 2015). "William Elliott Whitmore 'Radium Death' EPK (Extended Director's Cut)". ANTI-. Archived from the original (Electronic press kit) on July 17, 2021.
  24. ^ Kieffer, Ben; Zollo, David; Whitmore, William Elliott (December 23, 2016). "Java Blend: David Zollo and William Elliott Whitmore join forces" (Includes audio interview and performance). Iowa Public Radio.
  25. ^ Hancock, Amanda (March 1, 2017). "Five acts at Daytrotter Downs to know before you go". Quad-City Times.
  26. ^ Moon, Lindsey; Nebbe, Charity; Benson, Luke; Tweedy, Luke (April 20, 2016). "First Listen: 'Help Me' by David Zollo & William Elliott Whitmore's new band 'Middle Western'" (Audio interview). Iowa Public Radio.
  27. ^ "William Elliott Whitmore: Bio". William Elliott Whitmore. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  28. ^ Tetzloff, Adam (September 2013). "#1 D.A.D.s". DowntownAtDawn.com.
  29. ^ Downing, Andy (December 16, 2021). "William Elliott Whitmore doesn't need to write sad songs anymore". Columbus Alive.
  30. ^ Petrusich, Amanda (October 15, 2003). "William Elliott Whitmore: Hymns for the Hopeless Album Review". Pitchfork.
  31. ^ Madsen, Peter (April 30, 2005). "William Elliott Whitmore – This land is his land". No Depression (57).
  32. ^ Beaudoin, Jedd (December 31, 2006). "William Elliott Whitmore – Song of the Blackbird". No Depression (67).
  33. ^ "William Elliott Whitmore Set to Release Animals in the Dark February 17th, 2009" (Press release). ANTI-. October 21, 2008.
  34. ^ Petrusich, Amanda (August 2, 2011). "William Elliott Whitmore: Field Songs Album Review". Pitchfork.
  35. ^ "William Elliott Whitmore To Release New Album" (Press release). ANTI-. February 24, 2015.
  36. ^ Thomas, Andy (May 12, 2015). "Life Lessons From William Elliott Whitmore". Westword.
  37. ^ "ALBUM REVIEW: William Elliott Whitmore Dispenses Hard Wisdom on 'Silently, The Mind Breaks'". No Depression. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  38. ^ Roeder, Michael (March 20, 2018). "Album Review: Middle Western – When Your Demons are Underground and You've Got to Dig Them Up". Little Village (239).
  39. ^ "William Elliott Whitmore: William Elliott Whitmore (untitled) [Vinyl]". Southern Records. 2005.
  40. ^ "William Elliot Whitmore Flaccid Trip split". Scenester Credentials. 2004. Archived from the original on February 15, 2008.
  41. ^ Spengler, Brendan L. (August 7, 2013). "Will Whitmore as the voice of the apocalypse". Little Village.
  42. ^ "Iowa City Song Project (2012, Vinyl)". Discogs.

Further reading

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  • Anderson, Joel; Whitmore, William Elliott (November 25, 2010). "Lifetime Underground" (Documentary short). ANTI-. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021.
  • Whitmore, William Elliott (July 30, 2014). "Celebration of the Family Farm" (Mini documentary, includes performance). Highway 11 Films. Placke Family Farm near Cuba City, WI. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021.
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