Today district, schmistrict is going to do you a favor. We care about our readers and want them to be happy; more than that, we know the value of quality music. So with that said, here is my advice to you:
Go see William Elliott Whitmore at the Black Cat on Wednesday.
Will Whitmore is an Iowa musician, but I swear that this time I’m not just playing up the home team*. He really is an extraordinary singer and writer who needs to be witnessed to be fully appreciated. And while the fifteen dollar ticket is, well, a lot of money for what is in all likelihood an unknown quantity for most of you, I promise it’s worth it.
I first heard Mr. Whitmore back when his shows consisted of solo sets in between hardcore bands in the odd basement and make-shift venue (punk rock, blah blah blah. More here). Since then he’s really become his own man as an artist, and while not especially successful in the conventional sense, he’s been able to release four albums on Southern and Anti, and his following is loyal and fervent (and not just in Iowa!)
Whitmore performs primarily on his own, playing banjo and acoustic guitar to accompany his otherworldly voice. His story is almost as good as his songs, so check out the Express story linked above. I won’t clutter things up with the details; Whitmore is better heard than explained. So watch the video after the jump, and get out to the Black Cat on Wednesday. I know your taste is good enough to appreciate it!
*Full disclosure: William Elliott Whitmore has bought me a whiskey.
Photo from Flickr.
