Random Universe, Part 1

Ok, we’re going on a trip. It’s going to seem circuitous at first, but I promise, it all comes around in the end- stick with me.

Seeing live music is one of my all time favorite highs- it connects and grounds me in a way that reminds me of the possibilities of creation. I always walk away awestruck and inspired. So I was really happy to see that when I was in LA recently, our friend William Elliott Whitmore was playing at the Knitting Factory. I’d actually never been to California before, and have seldom been away from home for more than 4 days since the little ones were born. Although having a great time with my west coast peeps, it was nice to visit with a familiar face in a foreign land.

William is a banjo playing farm boy from Lee County, Iowa, and you’ve never heard a voice quite like his. A true old soul, but also a very funny, genuine man. I’ve seen him open for Clutch and The Pogues on a number of occasions, and am more amazed each time.

Once, in Pennsylvania visiting Dan on tour, I backed into WEW’s car outside of the club. Most people would at least give you a dirty look, or examine the fender for scratches. Will just waved his hand dismissively, without moving from his spot. He truly does not sweat the small stuff, which is one of the themes that carry his songs. Hope, redemption, loss, lawlessness- but no details.

This gig at the Knitting Factory was the first time I’ve seen him headline. The crowd grew progressively thicker through the first two bands, (The excellent Los Duggans, followed by Fake Problems, who are an amazing live show) When Will took the stage, you couldn’t lift your elbows to take a drink. He sits up there with his banjo, looking like any dude you’d see on the street, albeit with a lot more tattoos and maybe drunker. Then he opens his mouth…and you’ll never look at him quite the same way again. He has a gift, and a humbleness about that gift, that make him a very endearing storyteller.

The crowd treated him like their visiting hobo uncle- the tour manager for Fake Problems cadged a bottle of Jack Daniels off of the bar and placed it on stage, to the great excitement of the audience. William took a long drink, and then handed it back into the crowd. “You all drink it,” he said, and they did. Fast. Two minutes later, a man triumphantly held it aloft, as though showing a dad his finished artwork. William, mid song, paused and said, “Well, put it in your pocket, then.”

I can’t really explain his sound, except to say it’s real. It comes from the gut, and it takes you places you thought didn’t exist anymore. It evokes freight cars and fires and long lines for bread, but not in a stereotypical “O Brother Where art Thou” Kind of way. So I’ll just put a video. Tomorrow, I will explain the second part of the random story, and how apparently, all points in the universe converge in North Hollywood. And remember: if you ever see William Elliott Whitmore’s name on a bill, go see him. You won’t regret it.

This song, “Come Hell or High Water”, is from William Elliott Whitmore’s latest album, “Animals in the Dark”, and was recorded at KEXP Public Radio.