It’s fitting to me that the debut release from Lee County, Iowa musician William Elliott Whitmore (W.E.W.) for the iconic Chicago-based Bloodshot record label is a collection of covers. I first met Whitmore while he was opening a string of dates for Lucero, with Rocky Votolato and Charly “City Mouse” Fasano, back in the fall of 2006. The first of many conversations that night involved and revolved around the music of our relative youth and upbringing. We were born just a few months apart, in the Plains States, and gleaned what we could from skate(boarding) videos and the pages of Thrasher Magazine. Fast forward a bit, and Whitmore has paid tribute to those influences in 10 succinct tracks, and with his inimitable baritone croon. A well-traveled and respected journeyman musician, W.E.W. has over a dozen releases, including multiple full-lengths, EPs, and 7’ splits, all in his unique brand of alterna-folk, country, and blues. “Kilonova” is the perfect entry for the uninitiated, and includes his take on the music of diverse artists such as Bad Religion, Bill Withers, ZZ Top, Magnetic Fields, Johnny Cash, and Captain Beefheart. Catch William Elliott Whitmore opening for Bloodshot labelmates Murder By Death (who also have a killer new full-length available) at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe on Friday, September 7.
Kilonova is available Friday, September 7, via Bloodshot Records. Physical versions are available on compact disc and vinyl. Limited quantities – 500 to be precise – of the deluxe vinyl bundles are pressed on heavy duty 180-gram marbled black & gray vinyl, and come with the “Play Each Other’s Songs” 7’ split with Esmé Patterson, where they, well, play each other’s songs. All vinyl comes with the requisite digital download on your choice of various high-quality formats. After the deluxe versions are gone, the record will be available in the standard black colorway.
Recommended for fans of covers albums made by the likes of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, Seasick Steve, Ben Nichols, Drag the River, Lightnin’ Hopkins, and Leadbelly, in addition to labelmates at Bloodshot, such as The Yawpers, Scott H. Biram, Wayne Hancock, Cory Branan, and Robbie Fulks.
Jon E. Lynch[email protected]
