Whetherman is the moniker of Nicholas Williams whose name is taken from the fictional character ‘ Whether Man’ who speculated all things normal and featured in his favourite childhood books The Phantom Tollbooth. The quote that stuck with Williams is when Whether Man told the young boy, “Whether or not you find your way, you’re bound to find some way.” Liking the idea of opening doors of perspective without expectations, Nicholas Williams chose the moniker Whetherman.
This Land, his latest album due for release on June 16, pays homage to the collective messages spread by Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger of “this land was made for you and me” with tinges of American-made spanning folk, blues, soul, country, and bluegrass. His nomadic folk is sprinkled with societal commentary about the current state of American affairs and the more grounded nature of day to day relationships. Told through a contemplative lens, topics range from time in nature, moral struggles, gained and lost love, land conservation, and political agendas of profits over people.
Listen to The Hold Up, a song about a man who is at the end of his rope, and is scrambling to save his family from breaking apart because of unhappiness and financial instability. His solution is robbing the local corner store, described in detail. It’s a statement about the unnecessary gun violence that happens in this country because of its accessibility.
Williams says, “Being on the move and going to new places regularly became an integral part of being cultured on different perspectives and walks of life, and that outlook has certainly crept into my music. I don’t believe in judgement without action, and I do not discriminate against anyone. But most of all, travelling has afforded me a lot of time in nature, which has been the largest inspiration for my songs.”
Whetherman Tour Dates
06.09 Square Cat Vinyl, Indianapolis, IN
06.10 Loveland Frog Festival, Loveland, OH
06.17 Duck Creek Log Jam Festival, Logan, OH
06.22 Sofar Sounds Secret Show: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
06.23 Lizzie Rose Music Room, Tuckerton, NJ
06.24 Bowery Electric, New York, NY
06.28 Perks And Corks, Westerly, RI
06.30 Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
07.06 Blue, Portland, ME
07.07 New England College, Henniker, NH
07.08 True Brew Barista, Concord, NH
07.14 Borodino Hall, Skaneateles, NY
07.29 Dogwood Bread Company, Wadhams, NY
08.03 Shelburne Vineyards, Shelburne, VT
08.05 The Root Cafe, Lakewood, OH
08.10 Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place, Boulder, CO
10.07 Live From The Divide, Bozeman, MT