Brendan James
Derry, New Hampshire native Brendan James started his professional career in New York City. An early champion of his refreshing folk-based sound was Carly Simon, who personally called and invited him for a duet session at her house in Martha's Vineyard. "I couldn't believe she called me, her music played in my house all the time as a kid," James marvels. Simon and James recorded a duet called "Let The River Run" that was streamed during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
In 2005 James signed to Capitol Records, but his tracks went into major label purgatory during the 2007 Capitol/Virgin merger. He emerged a free agent and independently issued the EP, "The Ballroom Break-In," and his debut full-length, "The Day is Brave," before signing to Decca Records in 2008. Brendan re-released his debut and his second album, "Brendan James," on Decca Records. During this formative time he played over 300 shows, building a robust fanbase touring with such diverse artists as John Mayer, Paula Cole, Keb Mo, John Legend, The Fray, and Robert Cray. James garnered widespread exposure through his songs being featured on television shows such as "Private Practice," "American Idol," "Bones," "So You Think You Can Dance," "Army Wives," and "One Tree Hill." He also made TV appearances on "Rachael Ray" and "CBS Sunday Morning." Both Brendan James albums climbed the iTunes Top 10 pop chart -- James' sophomore album, "Brendan James," climbed to #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts.
In 2011, Decca and James parted ways due to budget cuts. Already tired of the industry's constant grind, the break in partnership lead James to rethink his life and, ultimately, rediscover his muse. "I had this summer where I decided to say yes to everything that wasn't music. I went skydiving, shot bow and arrows, went to Alaska," James says. "For the first time in my life, I was free, and I thought, 'Maybe I won’t do music at all,' but it led to my most creative year." He wrote and released his third album "Hope in Transition," in July of 2012, toured the country two times over, and immediately began writing a fourth album.
James' latest album "Simplify" is a true return to his roots, written in what he would call his "most centered writing state in five years." It was co-produced by Brendan and producer Matt Chiaravalle (Warren Zevon, Joe Bonamassa) and presents Brendan in his purest form. It is scheduled for release in the Summer of 2013.
------
Whetherman
Nicholas Williams' music has often acted as a meter for his personal journey through life. His songs, filled with personal truth and awareness, become fearless through effervescent melodies and earnest vocals. The uplifting presence takes you on a textural journey, as he maps out the different landscapes of those emotions through musical prose. “There's been a theme for every album title since I've been making music under the name Whetherman,” says Williams, “all metaphorically speaking for my current state of composition and lyrical tone. 'Streams and Pastures' is a follow up to 'Wind in the Trees', which was the first intrinsic organic exploration into what has inspired me musically. The new LP relates specifically to delving further into the musical forest, as it were, of my being. It's as if I'm crossing over land and sea, with each song encompassing the new places I've found inside of myself."
Under Whetherman, Williams has Independently written, produced and released five full length studio albums since 2007. In the Spring of 2013, releasing his newest manifestation “Streams and Pastures”, featuring a five-member band for the first time: Rachel Murray (Vocals), JP Salvat (Percussion), Alex Hayward (Drums, Misc.), Drew Matulich (Fiddle/Mandolin) and Adam Mantovani (Upright Bass). These diversely talented musicians and friends were brought in from all over the Southeast to Chromatic Studios near the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, FL, where four months of recording sessions would take place. The end product, is an eclectic array of Americana/Roots music that has taken nothing away from the artfully established Singer/Songwriter presence, while adding a beautiful tapestry of elements spanning America's enriched musical history.
“To say that Whetherman’s Streams and Pastures has overtaken my ears and heart is a vast understatement. I was driving the other day, the varied songs playing over the speakers and so very positively influencing my mood, and thinking that there should be a piece here about how glorious easy listening albums are. Not easy listening as in your mom’s favorite Richard Marx jams; easy listening as in albums that cover great and excessive stretches of ground in just 12 songs but manage to hold your attention entirely..." -FolkHive.com (re: Review New Album “Streams & Pastures”)
“Sound that will lift your spirits and feed your soul. At times crooner, other times folk singer, Whetherman’s voice is just as unique as it is reminiscent of other great vocalists that have come before him.” -IndieMusicReviewer.com (re: IMR's #12 of 25 on Top 25 Indie Acoustic Artists of 2012 Listing)
“Whetherman’s music is refreshing in that the songs are created to capture something; not to sound like something.”-FloridaMusicBlog.com (re: SpringFest 2011)
While performing mostly solo and acoustic for the past several years, Williams has stayed busy on the road since 2011, touring extensively throughout the Southeast and Midwest. With a second nationwide tour currently underway, spanning 30 states in 6 months, plans that warrant the full band on a steady basis are in the works. "I'd love more than anything to have my band members on tour with me. We do have a few Southeast runs in July on our way to FloydFest (Floyd, VA). We're anticipating to have more frequency in 2014."
All of Whetherman's music is available for download on Bandcamp, iTunes and Facebook as well as physical purchase on Amazon.com.
show less
Derry, New Hampshire native Brendan James started his professional career in New York City. An early champion of his refreshing folk-based sound was Carly Simon, who personally called and invited him for a duet session at her house in Martha's Vineyard. "I couldn't believe she called me, her music played in my house all the time as a kid," James marvels. Simon and James recorded a duet called "Let The River Run" that was streamed during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
In 2005 James signed to Capitol Records, but his tracks went into major label purgatory during the 2007 Capitol/Virgin merger. He emerged a free agent and independently issued the EP, "The Ballroom Break-In," and his debut full-length, "The Day is Brave," before signing to Decca Records in 2008. Brendan re-released his debut and his second album, "Brendan James," on Decca Records. During this formative time he played over 300 shows, building a robust fanbase touring with such diverse artists as John Mayer, Paula Cole, Keb Mo, John Legend, The Fray, and Robert Cray. James garnered widespread exposure through his songs being featured on television shows such as "Private Practice," "American Idol," "Bones," "So You Think You Can Dance," "Army Wives," and "One Tree Hill." He also made TV appearances on "Rachael Ray" and "CBS Sunday Morning." Both Brendan James albums climbed the iTunes Top 10 pop chart -- James' sophomore album, "Brendan James," climbed to #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts.
In 2011, Decca and James parted ways due to budget cuts. Already tired of the industry's constant grind, the break in partnership lead James to rethink his life and, ultimately, rediscover his muse. "I had this summer where I decided to say yes to everything that wasn't music. I went skydiving, shot bow and arrows, went to Alaska," James says. "For the first time in my life, I was free, and I thought, 'Maybe I won’t do music at all,' but it led to my most creative year." He wrote and released his third album "Hope in Transition," in July of 2012, toured the country two times over, and immediately began writing a fourth album.
James' latest album "Simplify" is a true return to his roots, written in what he would call his "most centered writing state in five years." It was co-produced by Brendan and producer Matt Chiaravalle (Warren Zevon, Joe Bonamassa) and presents Brendan in his purest form. It is scheduled for release in the Summer of 2013.
------
Whetherman
Nicholas Williams' music has often acted as a meter for his personal journey through life. His songs, filled with personal truth and awareness, become fearless through effervescent melodies and earnest vocals. The uplifting presence takes you on a textural journey, as he maps out the different landscapes of those emotions through musical prose. “There's been a theme for every album title since I've been making music under the name Whetherman,” says Williams, “all metaphorically speaking for my current state of composition and lyrical tone. 'Streams and Pastures' is a follow up to 'Wind in the Trees', which was the first intrinsic organic exploration into what has inspired me musically. The new LP relates specifically to delving further into the musical forest, as it were, of my being. It's as if I'm crossing over land and sea, with each song encompassing the new places I've found inside of myself."
Under Whetherman, Williams has Independently written, produced and released five full length studio albums since 2007. In the Spring of 2013, releasing his newest manifestation “Streams and Pastures”, featuring a five-member band for the first time: Rachel Murray (Vocals), JP Salvat (Percussion), Alex Hayward (Drums, Misc.), Drew Matulich (Fiddle/Mandolin) and Adam Mantovani (Upright Bass). These diversely talented musicians and friends were brought in from all over the Southeast to Chromatic Studios near the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, FL, where four months of recording sessions would take place. The end product, is an eclectic array of Americana/Roots music that has taken nothing away from the artfully established Singer/Songwriter presence, while adding a beautiful tapestry of elements spanning America's enriched musical history.
“To say that Whetherman’s Streams and Pastures has overtaken my ears and heart is a vast understatement. I was driving the other day, the varied songs playing over the speakers and so very positively influencing my mood, and thinking that there should be a piece here about how glorious easy listening albums are. Not easy listening as in your mom’s favorite Richard Marx jams; easy listening as in albums that cover great and excessive stretches of ground in just 12 songs but manage to hold your attention entirely..." -FolkHive.com (re: Review New Album “Streams & Pastures”)
“Sound that will lift your spirits and feed your soul. At times crooner, other times folk singer, Whetherman’s voice is just as unique as it is reminiscent of other great vocalists that have come before him.” -IndieMusicReviewer.com (re: IMR's #12 of 25 on Top 25 Indie Acoustic Artists of 2012 Listing)
“Whetherman’s music is refreshing in that the songs are created to capture something; not to sound like something.”-FloridaMusicBlog.com (re: SpringFest 2011)
While performing mostly solo and acoustic for the past several years, Williams has stayed busy on the road since 2011, touring extensively throughout the Southeast and Midwest. With a second nationwide tour currently underway, spanning 30 states in 6 months, plans that warrant the full band on a steady basis are in the works. "I'd love more than anything to have my band members on tour with me. We do have a few Southeast runs in July on our way to FloydFest (Floyd, VA). We're anticipating to have more frequency in 2014."
All of Whetherman's music is available for download on Bandcamp, iTunes and Facebook as well as physical purchase on Amazon.com.
Brendan James
Derry, New Hampshire native Brendan James started his professional career in New York City. An early champion of his refreshing folk-based sound was Carly Simon, who personally called and invited him for a duet session at her house in Martha's Vineyard. "I couldn't believe she called me, her music played in my house all the time as a kid," James marvels. Simon and James recorded a duet called "Let The River Run" that was streamed during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
In 2005 James signed to Capitol Records, but his tracks went into major label purgatory during the 2007 Capitol/Virgin merger. He emerged a free agent and independently issued the EP, "The Ballroom Break-In," and his debut full-length, "The Day is Brave," before signing to Decca Records in 2008. Brendan re-released his debut and his second album, "Brendan James," on Decca Records. During this formative time he played over 300 shows, building a robust fanbase touring with such diverse artists as John Mayer, Paula Cole, Keb Mo, John Legend, The Fray, and Robert Cray. James garnered widespread exposure through his songs being featured on television shows such as "Private Practice," "American Idol," "Bones," "So You Think You Can Dance," "Army Wives," and "One Tree Hill." He also made TV appearances on "Rachael Ray" and "CBS Sunday Morning." Both Brendan James albums climbed the iTunes Top 10 pop chart -- James' sophomore album, "Brendan James," climbed to #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts.
In 2011, Decca and James parted ways due to budget cuts. Already tired of the industry's constant grind, the break in partnership lead James to rethink his life and, ultimately, rediscover his muse. "I had this summer where I decided to say yes to everything that wasn't music. I went skydiving, shot bow and arrows, went to Alaska," James says. "For the first time in my life, I was free, and I thought, 'Maybe I won’t do music at all,' but it led to my most creative year." He wrote and released his third album "Hope in Transition," in July of 2012, toured the country two times over, and immediately began writing a fourth album.
James' latest album "Simplify" is a true return to his roots, written in what he would call his "most centered writing state in five years." It was co-produced by Brendan and producer Matt Chiaravalle (Warren Zevon, Joe Bonamassa) and presents Brendan in his purest form. It is scheduled for release in the Summer of 2013.
------
Whetherman
Nicholas Williams' music has often acted as a meter for his personal journey through life. His songs, filled with personal truth and awareness, become fearless through effervescent melodies and earnest vocals. The uplifting presence takes you on a textural journey, as he maps out the different landscapes of those emotions through musical prose. “There's been a theme for every album title since I've been making music under the name Whetherman,” says Williams, “all metaphorically speaking for my current state of composition and lyrical tone. 'Streams and Pastures' is a follow up to 'Wind in the Trees', which was the first intrinsic organic exploration into what has inspired me musically. The new LP relates specifically to delving further into the musical forest, as it were, of my being. It's as if I'm crossing over land and sea, with each song encompassing the new places I've found inside of myself."
Under Whetherman, Williams has Independently written, produced and released five full length studio albums since 2007. In the Spring of 2013, releasing his newest manifestation “Streams and Pastures”, featuring a five-member band for the first time: Rachel Murray (Vocals), JP Salvat (Percussion), Alex Hayward (Drums, Misc.), Drew Matulich (Fiddle/Mandolin) and Adam Mantovani (Upright Bass). These diversely talented musicians and friends were brought in from all over the Southeast to Chromatic Studios near the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, FL, where four months of recording sessions would take place. The end product, is an eclectic array of Americana/Roots music that has taken nothing away from the artfully established Singer/Songwriter presence, while adding a beautiful tapestry of elements spanning America's enriched musical history.
“To say that Whetherman’s Streams and Pastures has overtaken my ears and heart is a vast understatement. I was driving the other day, the varied songs playing over the speakers and so very positively influencing my mood, and thinking that there should be a piece here about how glorious easy listening albums are. Not easy listening as in your mom’s favorite Richard Marx jams; easy listening as in albums that cover great and excessive stretches of ground in just 12 songs but manage to hold your attention entirely..." -FolkHive.com (re: Review New Album “Streams & Pastures”)
“Sound that will lift your spirits and feed your soul. At times crooner, other times folk singer, Whetherman’s voice is just as unique as it is reminiscent of other great vocalists that have come before him.” -IndieMusicReviewer.com (re: IMR's #12 of 25 on Top 25 Indie Acoustic Artists of 2012 Listing)
“Whetherman’s music is refreshing in that the songs are created to capture something; not to sound like something.”-FloridaMusicBlog.com (re: SpringFest 2011)
While performing mostly solo and acoustic for the past several years, Williams has stayed busy on the road since 2011, touring extensively throughout the Southeast and Midwest. With a second nationwide tour currently underway, spanning 30 states in 6 months, plans that warrant the full band on a steady basis are in the works. "I'd love more than anything to have my band members on tour with me. We do have a few Southeast runs in July on our way to FloydFest (Floyd, VA). We're anticipating to have more frequency in 2014."
All of Whetherman's music is available for download on Bandcamp, iTunes and Facebook as well as physical purchase on Amazon.com.
read more
Derry, New Hampshire native Brendan James started his professional career in New York City. An early champion of his refreshing folk-based sound was Carly Simon, who personally called and invited him for a duet session at her house in Martha's Vineyard. "I couldn't believe she called me, her music played in my house all the time as a kid," James marvels. Simon and James recorded a duet called "Let The River Run" that was streamed during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
In 2005 James signed to Capitol Records, but his tracks went into major label purgatory during the 2007 Capitol/Virgin merger. He emerged a free agent and independently issued the EP, "The Ballroom Break-In," and his debut full-length, "The Day is Brave," before signing to Decca Records in 2008. Brendan re-released his debut and his second album, "Brendan James," on Decca Records. During this formative time he played over 300 shows, building a robust fanbase touring with such diverse artists as John Mayer, Paula Cole, Keb Mo, John Legend, The Fray, and Robert Cray. James garnered widespread exposure through his songs being featured on television shows such as "Private Practice," "American Idol," "Bones," "So You Think You Can Dance," "Army Wives," and "One Tree Hill." He also made TV appearances on "Rachael Ray" and "CBS Sunday Morning." Both Brendan James albums climbed the iTunes Top 10 pop chart -- James' sophomore album, "Brendan James," climbed to #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts.
In 2011, Decca and James parted ways due to budget cuts. Already tired of the industry's constant grind, the break in partnership lead James to rethink his life and, ultimately, rediscover his muse. "I had this summer where I decided to say yes to everything that wasn't music. I went skydiving, shot bow and arrows, went to Alaska," James says. "For the first time in my life, I was free, and I thought, 'Maybe I won’t do music at all,' but it led to my most creative year." He wrote and released his third album "Hope in Transition," in July of 2012, toured the country two times over, and immediately began writing a fourth album.
James' latest album "Simplify" is a true return to his roots, written in what he would call his "most centered writing state in five years." It was co-produced by Brendan and producer Matt Chiaravalle (Warren Zevon, Joe Bonamassa) and presents Brendan in his purest form. It is scheduled for release in the Summer of 2013.
------
Whetherman
Nicholas Williams' music has often acted as a meter for his personal journey through life. His songs, filled with personal truth and awareness, become fearless through effervescent melodies and earnest vocals. The uplifting presence takes you on a textural journey, as he maps out the different landscapes of those emotions through musical prose. “There's been a theme for every album title since I've been making music under the name Whetherman,” says Williams, “all metaphorically speaking for my current state of composition and lyrical tone. 'Streams and Pastures' is a follow up to 'Wind in the Trees', which was the first intrinsic organic exploration into what has inspired me musically. The new LP relates specifically to delving further into the musical forest, as it were, of my being. It's as if I'm crossing over land and sea, with each song encompassing the new places I've found inside of myself."
Under Whetherman, Williams has Independently written, produced and released five full length studio albums since 2007. In the Spring of 2013, releasing his newest manifestation “Streams and Pastures”, featuring a five-member band for the first time: Rachel Murray (Vocals), JP Salvat (Percussion), Alex Hayward (Drums, Misc.), Drew Matulich (Fiddle/Mandolin) and Adam Mantovani (Upright Bass). These diversely talented musicians and friends were brought in from all over the Southeast to Chromatic Studios near the St. John’s River in Jacksonville, FL, where four months of recording sessions would take place. The end product, is an eclectic array of Americana/Roots music that has taken nothing away from the artfully established Singer/Songwriter presence, while adding a beautiful tapestry of elements spanning America's enriched musical history.
“To say that Whetherman’s Streams and Pastures has overtaken my ears and heart is a vast understatement. I was driving the other day, the varied songs playing over the speakers and so very positively influencing my mood, and thinking that there should be a piece here about how glorious easy listening albums are. Not easy listening as in your mom’s favorite Richard Marx jams; easy listening as in albums that cover great and excessive stretches of ground in just 12 songs but manage to hold your attention entirely..." -FolkHive.com (re: Review New Album “Streams & Pastures”)
“Sound that will lift your spirits and feed your soul. At times crooner, other times folk singer, Whetherman’s voice is just as unique as it is reminiscent of other great vocalists that have come before him.” -IndieMusicReviewer.com (re: IMR's #12 of 25 on Top 25 Indie Acoustic Artists of 2012 Listing)
“Whetherman’s music is refreshing in that the songs are created to capture something; not to sound like something.”-FloridaMusicBlog.com (re: SpringFest 2011)
While performing mostly solo and acoustic for the past several years, Williams has stayed busy on the road since 2011, touring extensively throughout the Southeast and Midwest. With a second nationwide tour currently underway, spanning 30 states in 6 months, plans that warrant the full band on a steady basis are in the works. "I'd love more than anything to have my band members on tour with me. We do have a few Southeast runs in July on our way to FloydFest (Floyd, VA). We're anticipating to have more frequency in 2014."
All of Whetherman's music is available for download on Bandcamp, iTunes and Facebook as well as physical purchase on Amazon.com.
show less
Date/Times:
Cafe du Nord
9 Upcoming Events
2174 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94114
The Best Events
Every Week in Your Inbox
From Our Sponsors
UPCOMING EVENTS
Great suggestion! We'll be in touch.
Event reviewed successfully.