Get the album here.
Listen to the album here.
Whitmore has also shared the video for "Has to Be That Way." Watch it below.
"There are inevitabilities in life," Whitmore explains. "All rivers flow to the sea, I will die, a full house beats a flush, and that's alright. I personally needed to accept that, move on, and maybe gain some perspective in the process. Writing songs like 'Has To Be That Way' helps me do that."
When asked what to expect from Silently, The Mind Breaks, Whitmore said, "Imagine a large expansive landscape. In the distance, you see what looks like a house. You walk for a long time, and as you get closer, it seems more and more like the house is abandoned. The front door is locked, so you go around the back and enter. Sunlight pours into the otherwise dark space, illuminating a staircase. You walk up, taking notice of a stillness in the air. There are several rooms, you enter the last one in the hallway. In the room, there is a closet. You open the closet and see an old chest of drawers. In the bottom drawer is an envelope. You open the envelope and inside there is a note. It says 'You are loved.' You are very tired, but you can't help but smile slightly. I hope this album is that for you."
Last month, Whitmore shared the video for album track "Break Even," putting his craftful dexterity on full display by taking us through the whole process of building a wooden foot stool from scratch. Yesterday, Whitmore announced a giveaway contest where one lucky fan will win the stool from the "Break Even" video.
Enter to win here.
Watch the video here.
Whitmore has already announced two legs of headline tour dates in February and in April, as well as a few one-off performances, with many more on the way in 2024. See all announced dates below. Tickets can be purchased here.
WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE ON TOUR:
2/16 — Newport, KY — The Southgate House Revival (Revival Room)
2/17 — Johnson City, TN — The Down Home
2/18 — Asheville, NC — The Grey Eagle
2/20 — Tampa, FL — Hooch and Hive
2/21 — Orlando, FL — Will's Pub
2/22 — St. Augustine, FL — Cafe Eleven
2/23 — Gainesville, FL — Loosey’s Downtown
2/24 — Decatur, GA — Ediie's Attic
4/19 — Fargo, ND — Fargo Brewing Co
4/20 — St Paul, MN — Turf Club
4/23 — Madison, WI — High Noon Saloon
4/25 — St. Louis, MO — Off Broadway
4/26 — Kansas City, MO — RecordBar
4/27— Omaha,NE — Reverb Lounge
5/4— Maquoketa, IA — Codfish Hollow Barnstormers
7/13— Monticello, MN — Nordic Bluegrass & Folk Festival
ABOUT WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE:
Born and raised on a small farm in Lee County, Iowa, a love of the land has always been an important part of William Elliott Whitmore's life. An appreciation for nature and its cycles being taught from an early age. That awareness of birth and death is a constant theme in the songwriting, through a lens of hopefulness and acceptance. These things unify us as people, a theme that is often explored in the music.
With a banjo, guitar and kick drum, Whitmore seeks to convey these ideas. For over 20 years, he has traveled the world, performing everywhere from Rome, Italy to Rome, Georgia. He's played basements, backyards, festival stages, and Carnegie Hall, and has no plans to stop anytime soon.
"Life is hard, nasty, and unforgiving at times," Whitmore says. "But it's beautiful, too, and music can be a reminder of what we all have in common, a desire to keep putting one foot in front of the other."