Bozeman Magazine

Take one seasoned, bucolic folk artist and mix him with the likes of Ray Lamontagne, crossed with all the poetic feels of Bob Dylan’s early recordings. You might find someone that’s been working tirelessly for the last decade, rediscovering himself and expanding the conversation of Americana. 

Enter Whetherman, the music of 33 year-old independent troubadour Nicholas Williams, who has self-produced eight full-length albums since beginning the project in 2007. By artfully bridging the gap between folk, blues, country, soul, and bluegrass with a timeless tinge, Williams is earning his keep amongst the vast pool of independent American talent in the Americana scene. His songs aim at the heart center, emboldened by the moral struggles of modern man with earnest and poetic lyrics that accompany infectiously melodic vocals, under the current of percussive guitar and rolling harmonica. These factors all contribute towards an effervescent, rustic sound that is all his own.

Williams’ most recent album, the critically acclaimed ‘This Land’ released in June of 2017. The Alternate Root stated that “Over the course of the last decade, Williams has been a student, immersed in the varied styles available in the American Roots songbook. ‘This Land’ introduces the man who has staked out claim in its territory.” 

Sonicbids, the world’s leading DIY resource for independent musicians, featured Williams for their article on “Success Stories- How to Make It as a DIY One-Man Band: Advice from Whetherman” as he’s been performing 150 shows a year in over 40 states across the US since 2011, as well as touring throughout the UK and Western Europe. Living on the road for the better part of the last five years, his surroundings have secured songs of poetry, with a resonance of nature, and Williams has remained completely independent from labels and management, having taken a grassroots approach to spread the songs he’s created. As Whetherman, he has had the opportunity to open for Taj Mahal, The Wood Brothers, The Wailers, Howie Day, Kim Richey, Donavon Frankenreiter, and Anders Osbourne among many others. 

For his new record ‘This Land’, Williams again was at the forefront of the production and engineering process alongside Gene O’Neil and Alex Hayward at Chromatic Studios in Jacksonville, Florida. Members of The Whetherman Band are also featured in JP Salvat (percussion), Adam Mantovani (Upright Bass), Alex Hayward (Drums), Eric Brigmond (Keys), as well as some new faces in Arvid Smith (Dobro, Pedal Steel) and Dayna Osan (Violin). 

Currently, Williams is touring throughout US in support of the new album from until Winter. You can find Whetherman on iTunes and Bandcamp, as well as streaming on Pandora Radio and Spotify.