"I come from a long lineage of fiery, independent women who are not afraid," says the Texas native and now Brooklyn-based songwriter, Eleanor Whitmore. You can tell this just by looking at the bright red curls of her hair. "My parents have always encouraged me and led by example. Flying planes. Sailing ships. Triathlons. My mother is an especially strong influence." says Eleanor. "I hiked the Grand Canyon in and out with a backpack, a bloody toe and no tears when I was five."
Make no mistake that Eleanor Whitmore can fly a plane, but it's her musical talents that have carried her so far. Eleanor has made her career touring and recording. She has worked with artists from Diana Ross to Regina Spektor. During the last two years living in Austin, she recorded fiddle, mandolin and sang harmonies with Bruce Robison, Kelly Willis and Slaid Cleaves among many others. She recently made an appearance on Neil Haggerty's Earth Junk. Her musical talents can be credited to the heavy influence of her family and a strong classical music background. "As a child, my mom took me to see Itzahk Perlman." Shortly after that Eleanor picked up the violin. "I learned versions of songs by the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Joan Biaz, Willie Nelson, Doc Watson, Ian and Sylvia, Peter Paul and Mary, Jim Croche through my father's interpretations. I rarely heard the original recordings until much later in life."
With the soon to be released debut, Airplanes, Eleanor shows herself to be a genius of melody, lyric and song structure. She writes with striking honesty, songs that tell stories of life, drinking coffee in the rain, sleeping on sofas in Austin with her dog. Eleanor's quirky-clever lyricism brings listeners intimately close to reality, expressing fear, confusion, epiphany, and exposing Eleanor to her listeners. "I love pop strings." And the record, guided by Eleanor's own finely crafted pop string arrangements, exists as a collection of well-crafted pop gems that will draw comparison to Liz Phair's Exile In Guyville and Aimee Mann's Bachelor No. 2.
The record's sometimes Beatlesque vibe is somewhat reminiscent of the Magnolia soundtrack. A lot of this can be credited to her hard work with producer/guitarist Chris Masterson. Masterson assembled a great cast of players. In addition to the production duties, he played numerous instruments on the record. The timing of the production on Airplanes is intricate, well placed, and inventive as a series of songs that are composed in shear complex beauty. Masterson proves himself to be a producer of telepathic mind.
Something not to be overlooked is the individually hand-stamped, painted, numbered, and signed artwork for Airplanes. Eleanor uses the DIY model to add meaning and value to the record with her artwork and the eco-friendly and carefully designed packaging stands out in a sea of broken plastic jewel cases.
The record is a pain killer. Eleanor Whitmore sheds the skin of studio musician, reveal a new more artistic breath of self. Airplanes is evidence of her transformation. But because of the tale expressed in lyrics, confessed in music, and reflected in life, Eleanor shows she is a writer who has taken broken pieces and the new, put them together create an album that harmonizes with her influences in the Beatles, Amiee Mann and Liz Phair. Airplanes will thrust Eleanor Whitmore before the New York music scene, elevate her from Austin's music scene, and hold her above the horizon like the apocalyptic red colors of sunset.
Look for Eleanor on tour throughout 2009.
Tour Dates
Dec 10 2008 - 10:00P: The Basement, Nashville, Tennessee
Dec 12 2008 - 9:00P: Haley’s, Denton, Texas
Dec 17 2008 - 9:00P: Subbs, Austin, Texas
Dec 19 2008 - 10:00P: The Continental Club, Houston, Texas
Contact Info
For more information:
myspace.com/eleanorwhitmoremusic
eleanorbltyhe@gmail.com
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