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Whitman was an American rock band from Austin, Texas. The band formed in 2004 and consisted of Ram Vela (vocals, guitar, Kyle Johnson keys(guitar, Eric Jenne (drums)
The band produced two full-length studio albums, three EP’s, a 7” vinyl single, booked several national tours, and were known for their energetic live shows.
History
Early years and Musical Style
While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Ram Vela and Kyle Johnson became roommates, and started rehearsing for a project heavily influenced by 70’s prog-rock. Vela recruited fellow classmate, Ryan Ermis, to play bass and Ermis reached out to a co-worker, Trevor Davis, to play drums. The band played its first show on July 22nd, 2004. It took several years before the band established their own sound and before Vela came into his own as a vocalist/lyricist. 70’s prog-rock influences can be heard in some of the band’s early work. Later in their career, though, bands like The Replacements, Elvis Costello & the Attractions, and Wilco would play a heavy influence in their songwriting and live performances.
Touring
Early in their career, the band toured steadily, booking east and west coast treks respectively. In the fall of 2005, Johnson purchased a used 15-passenger Presbyterian Church van, altering the inside making it more economical to store equipment. The band named the van, “Britches,” and it is showcased on the cover of their 2012 album, Weekends.
Albums
Torch Songs (2008)
In the winter of 2007, the band worked with David Dressen at Jacketweather Studios to produce/engineer Torch Songs, their first full-length studio album. Vela and Johnson wrote the majority of the songs together, while Vela and Ermis shared vocal duties. The album was released on February 1st, 2008 and received positive reviews. Shortly after the release of the album, Davis inexplicably left the band.
Weekends(2012)
While auditioning drummers, the band met Eric Jenne, who recently moved to Austin from Ohio. The chemistry between Jenne and the rest of the band was undeniable and he won the job unanimously. In the spring of 2010, the band was given the opportunity to write, rehearse, and record demos for their second full-length album, Weekends, at Jacketweather Studios. Before tracking demos, Ermis announced that he was leaving the band in 2010. The band enlisted studio musicians to help wrap the recordings in the summer of 2011. The final product is an album that chronicles the band’s struggles of touring on their own dime, the joys and pitfalls of drinking with close friends and friends lost, and weekends that Vela wished “lasted forever.” It was mastered by Bob Weston (Shellac) at Chicago Mastering Services and was released on April 17th, 2012.
Awards (2012-2013)
In the summer of 2012, the band won the Fernet-Branca Band Fest, which included a trip to Chicago, VIP passes to the Pitchfork Music Festival and an opening slot for the Olivia Tremor Control at Reggie’s.
In the spring of 2013, the Austin Chronicle named Whitman “Best Rock Band” at the Austin Music Awards during the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference and Festival.
Discography
Lying, Cheating, Stealing EP (2013 – Sonora Records) Weekends (April 17th, 2012 – Sonora Records) Cul-de-sac/Light it Up “7 vinyl single (2009 – Sonora Records) Torch Songs (February 1st, 2008 – Sonora Records) Nothing to do so I’m Doing Nothing Split EP (2007 – Sonora Records) Anhedonia Falling EP (2006)
References
http://www.austinchronicle.com/Awards/MusicAwards/?mode=browse&category=Best%2520Performing%2520Bands&year=2012 http://ovrld.com/album-reviews/whitmans-weekends/ http://www.reggieslive.com/show/the-olivia-tremor-control/ http://www.redrivernoise.com/features/2012/04/feature-whitman-toasts-to-weekends-weird-stories-and-winning-new-fans/ http://euvelab.tumblr.com/tagged/music-writing
External links
{Whitman}
Category:American rock groups Category:Rock groups Category:Musical groups from Texas Category:Musical quartets Category:Musical groups established in 2004