Nano Whitman

We’ll admit that, other than knowing about elements like live music, barbecue, cowboy boots, and that it’s the state capital, we weren’t all that familiar with the much-hyped city of Austin.

As it happens, Austin has more music venues per capita than any other city in the U.S., and was voted one of the greenest cities in the country. (No coincidence, Whole Foods was founded in Austin). What’s more, the city has become an increasingly desirable place to live, with folks from east and west coasts taking up residence in the Texas town.

Starting Friday, the city will welcome thousands of people from the worlds of music, film, and tech for its annual South by Southwest Festival, which spans two weeks and has become one of the must-attend conventions on the media and entertainment calendar. As a burgeoning hub of creativity and artistry, Austin continues to grow its identity, and its residents are along for the ride.

So what, exactly, is Austin style? After chatting with our 25 Most Stylish—including notables like chef Paul Qui, musician Ben Kweller, and designer Kendra Scott, it became evident that the most common style thread in the eccentric city is expressing yourself in a way that’s honest, thoughtful, and true to yourself, with little ego or pretension. In addition, residents stress that choosing to be a nice, caring person is more important than following any fleeting fashion trend—and what’s more stylish than that?

The thrill of experiencing such a genuine melting pot of influences really did win us over—from our unique shoot location, Palazzo Lavaca, (a fusion of 19th-century Venice and modern-day Texas in one house) to the best Thai food we’ve ever had, not to mention some spectacular vintage. Austin truly is a special little gem, whose inhabitants possess a wonderfully quirky kind of sparkle.

Sure, there are some folk who complain about the city’s rapid growth and commercialization, but we feel confident that Austin’s residents will keep its integrity, and, as the old saying goes, keep it weird.
- Stylecaster.com

The Music Maker, Nano Whitman

“I make songs. I make melodies, and with my friends, I make harmonies,” Nano Whitman says. The Harvard grad also knows how to make pizza as the general manager and longest employee of Home Slice Pizza. Whitman is currently focused on his next album, which he is hoping to fund through a Kickstarter campaign. As for his life as music maker? “There is something about working with your hands that frees the mind. The hands start to work on their own, and it gives you less to think about,” he says. “This makes room for more creative and less ‘useful’ thought. This is where melodies and lyrics come from.” Visit nanowhitman.com to listen to Whitman’s work. - Tribeza Magazine

City of Austin recognizes Nano with his own Day, June 7th, 2012! - City of Austin

Get the scoop on where our favorite Austinites fill their post-party cravings. - Tribeza Magazine

Wow, shades of Honky Chateau-era Elton John and Harry Chapin in a young, contemporary singer-songwriter. The Good Music Club turns up another local prize in Nano Whitman. - Austin Chronicle

Wow, shades of Honky Chateau-era Elton John and Harry Chapin in a young, contemporary singer-songwriter. The Good Music Club turns up another local prize in Nano Whitman. - Austin Chronicle

As the live music capital of the world, Austin’s music scene can be difficult to navigate. The Good Music Club provides a sampler of Austin’s rich musical talent at monthly live concert tapings. This series, curated by Laurie Gallardo, showcases a variety of performers in an intimate setting, offering exposure to bands through high quality recordings and a unique experience for attendees. Videos of past live performances are released each week on KUT.org, the Austin Chronicle’s Earache! blog, and right here on our website.These performances and concert videos provide a platform for sharing Austin’s rich musical talent with new fans in Austin, throughout the country, and the rest of the world. - The Good Music Club

Helen Leicht of WXPN Philadelphia chooses 'Gone On' as the Philly Local pick on February 22nd, 2011 - WXPN Philadelphia

Helen Leicht of WXPN Philadelphia chooses 'Gone On' as the Philly Local pick on February 22nd, 2011 - WXPN Philadelphia

Helen Leicht of WXPN Philadelphia chooses 'Gone On' as the Philly Local pick on February 22nd, 2011 - WXPN Philadelphia

Helen Leicht of WXPN Philadelphia chooses 'Gone On' as the Philly Local pick on February 22nd, 2011 - WXPN Philadelphia

Helen Leicht of WXPN Philadelphia chooses 'Gone On' as the Philly Local pick on February 22nd, 2011 - WXPN Philadelphia

During his Northeast Tour, Nano appears on NBC's 11am morning show, the 10! show. - NBC Philadelphia

Nano's song, '28,' takes 2nd place in the International Songwriting Competition, widely regarded as the elite songwriting competition with over 15,000 entries. - ISC

John Aielli interviews Nano and reviews 'I Leave On The Light." Live performances of '28,' 'Gone On,' and 'Arms By My Side,' go out over the airwaves of Austin's NPR station. - KUT Austin

August, 2011 issue of Austin Monthly, Nano is named one of Austin's 10 most eligible bachelors. - Austin Monthly

Matt Meinke, KETR's DJ behind Notably Texan, takes a liking to Nano's album, I Leave On The Light, and starts giving it regular air play beginning August 19th, 2011. - KETR

Balcony TV Austin includes Nano's song, 28, in their database of live performances. - Balcony TV

August 31, 2011. DJ Adi Anand, includes 'Arms By My Side' on his show, River Runs Red. - BreakThru Radio

August 31, 2011. DJ Adi Anand, includes 'Arms By My Side' on his show, River Runs Red. - BreakThru Radio

The International Songwriting Competition (ISC) is an annual song contest whose mission is to provide the opportunity for both aspiring and established songwriters to have their songs heard in a professional, international arena. ISC is designed to nurture the musical talent of songwriters on all levels and promote excellence in the art of songwriting. Amateur and professional songwriters and musicians are invited to participate. ISC has the most prestigious panel of judges of all the songwriting and music contests in the world, offering exposure and the opportunity to have your songs heard by the most influential decision-makers in the music industry.
- ISC

Before his performance at The World Cafe, singer /songwriter Nano Whitman performs on the 10! Show stage . - NBC Philadelphia

If you tuned in today to WXPN Middays with Helen Leicht, you heard “Gone On” by Nano Whitman

For any of you who don’t know Nano Whitman, he’s a Philadelphia-born artist who started his singing in the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir and became acquainted with playing many instruments at Settlement Music School. He wound up graduating from Harvard with a degree in Music Composition and wrote a Rock Opera as his thesis with a Berklee Professor. For the last 6 years he’s lived in Austin were he has collaborated with many talented musicians including renowned Jazz singer Kat Edmonson. His song “28? won first prize in the 2010 Billboard World Song Contest for Americana/Folk, a song featured on his new album I Leave On The Light.

He’ll be performing Upstairs at World Cafe Live on March 1st at 8PM as part of a Northeast tour from DC to Boston. - WXPN Philadelphia

14 Songwriters have been chosen to participate in the Lester Sill Songwriter Workshop in LA. Nano will be spending a month in the program whose past lecturers have included George Martin, Jackson Browne and Ben Harper. - ASCAP.com

"Break it on your own time" twice chosen as Song of the Day on KUT, Austin's NPR station.


Photo courtesy of Artist\'s Myspace

After taking some time off, the multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Nano Whitman, has been back in the studio and back on the stage–with a new band. The Philadelphia native found his love for music as a choirboy in the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir and began his songwriting career at the early age of twelve. Upon completing his studies in classical theory and composition at Harvard and The Berklee School of Music, where he wrote a rock opera for his thesis, Nano moved to Austin and settled on the melodramatic pop song as his musical medium of choice. He is currently recording his first full length album with various talented Austin artists, and several notable producers, including Lars Goransson (Alpha Rev, Johnny Goudie) and Joshua Zarbo. His next show is scheduled for June 14 at Botticelli’s on South Congress Ave.

Today’s song of the day is Break It On Your Own Time from his upcoming record. Enjoy.-michelle guzman - KUT.org

This mix includes: Band of Skulls, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Jukebox the Ghost, Justin Townes Earle, The Antlers, Centro-matic, Lucero, and Nano Whitman. - Popten.net

Monday, November 2, 2009
Splendid Time Guaranteed
Nano Whitman
Lambert's, 10/30

I really liked Nano Whitman's EP, enough that I probably would have liked him plenty playing as a solo artist. However, Friday's gig was the pianist/guitarist/songwriter's first with a full band in some time, and that made it a real treat. Rare indeed is the songwriter who feeds off the energy of his partners on stage which such grace and giving spirit. Whitman's band played some pretty obvious covers, but not as a showcase for the leader, but rather as a chance for his talented harmony singer to step out a few times. Instead of a contemptuous star submitting an accepted classic for audience approval, the Whitman band's "Hallelujah" and "Whiter Shade of Pale" sounded like close friends sharing the power great songs can have together.

But it was the originals that I came for, and they're what ought to earn Whitman a wider audience. Songs like "28" have some very personal lyrics, blunt even, but it's a sign of Whitman's self-assurance that he performs them strongly, looking out into the crowd with his eyes open. The extra drive given by his bassist and (particularly) drummer Ed Miles gave the songs a minimalist, to-the-point approach that blew away the EP's more studied vibe. Whitman has a wonderful voice, but one that's best suited to a quiet backing so he doesn't need to strain to be heard. His rhythm section grasped this and performed in a really solid but restrained style which left them the ability to pop up for emphasis when necessary and kept every word of Whitman's intelligently written tunes audible.

The best thing about the show and the performer is the spirit of community Whitman engenders seemingly everywhere he goes. The more people on stage, the more energy and happiness seemed to exude from the bandleader. For his last song, members of other bands on the bill came up to add vocals, guitar, and harmonica and Whitman was positively glowing as he hooted and stomped. Indeed, what good is the best song in the world if there's no one with whom to share it? - Westy D

1st Prize:
Americana/Folk Category
for song '28'
Announced March 8th, 2010 - www.billboardsongcontest.com

What’s the Deal: ...sweet, relaxing and lyrically witty songs on guitar. Nano, whom you might remember from Nano & The Afternoon, is now back to performing as a solo artist. A handful of his latest songs are available on a self-titled EP released in October of last year.

One of the more quirky, catchy songs on the recording is “28”. It’s heavy on the rhyme and soft on most everything else. Light background tones of keys with warm bass pulses, hissing drums and various softly spoken sounds buzz around in this sentimental song about the singer’s family. “Just to Kiss You” features the complimentary vocals of Kat Edmonson. It’s a sweet, folk pop song with a chorus that any human with blood in their veins could identify with.

Other Tracks Worth Checking Out: “Break It On Your Own Time” and “By and By” - Austinist.com

After taking a year off following the separation of his band, the multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Nano Whitman, is back in the studio and back on the stage. The Philadelphia native found his love for music as a choirboy in the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir and began his songwriting career at the early age of twelve. Upon completing his studies in classical theory and composition at Harvard and The Berklee School of Music, where he wrote a rock opera for his thesis, Nano moved to Austin and settled on the melodramatic pop song as his musical medium of choice. He is currently recording his first full length album with various talented Austin artists, and several notable producers, including Lars Goransson (Alpha Rev, Johnny Goudie) and Joshua Zarbo. His next show is scheduled for June 8 at Botticelli’s on South Congress Ave, performance starts at 7:30pm.

Today’s song of the day is Break It On Your Own Time from his upcoming record. Enjoy.-michelle guzman - KUT.org

Songwriter Nano Whitman has roots on the East Coast but has called Austin home for five years now; his self-titled record features contributions from some scene heavyweights including former Spoon-man Joshua Zarbo and the electrifying jazz singer Kat Edmondson.

It's not an accident or a coincidence that talented musicians (and producers) want to work with Whitman; he's got the gift. As a singer, lyricist, and melody composer, his skills are not inconsiderable, but it's his finely-honed ear for making his weak points in each area into strengths that sets him apart from the rabble. Take the production of "Jokers & Pros," the EP's most upbeat track. Two different guitar parts are present, reggae offbeats in one stereo channel and some more blues-oriented playing in the other, but neither is turned up to eleven. Whitman has a lived-in baritone voice that allows him to best express himself when he's singing at a conversational, personal volume, and all of his debut's songs feature arrangements that only force him to raise his voice to compete with the volume of the guitars when the song's natural development requires it. When Whitman raises to a rasp to deliver the song's signature line: "You can beat this dead horse all you want, see just how far it goes," the brief moment of anger makes the harmonies that arrive right after all so much the sweeter.

Although the songs are not light on instrumentation, with warm analog keyboard tones swirling throughout, there's an awareness of what basic factors need to be heard most clearly. Zarbo's bass takes a central role, its full and clear sound allowing the guitars to be used in a more restrained and creative manner. Unusual harmonies are one of Whitman's biggest calling cards; the use of a ghostly, minor-feel chorale part on "Just to Kiss You" undercuts the song's hopeful theme and makes the listener think harder about the musician's intentions.

He has a similar light-and-shade approach to his lyrics. Although "Just to Kiss You" begins on a very simple, almost trite sentiment, as Whitman's words continue his attempts to remain optimistic and hopeful reflect the artist's personal struggle. Whitman isn't writing a love song based on all the other love songs he's heard in his life, he's writing from his own life, as the often very specific references to people and events suggest. "28" has couplets so direct and sincere that they're almost uncomfortable ("my sister doesn't even have a name"), only Whitman balances himself out with a melody and rhyme scheme so plain it's almost childlike. There's absolutely nothing wrong with simplicity employed for an intelligent and original reason, and that's what Nano has nailed down here.

And then sometimes you've got to mix some fire in with all the icy cool: That's where Edmondson comes in, her powerful instrument giving a reprise of "Just to Kiss You" a completely different feel. While Nano seems resigned to wait for his lover to come around on her own time, Kat is going to grab you by the lapels and make you love her. The result is a really wonderful collaboration that elevates both artists; read more about it here. I was reminded favorably of Elvis Costello's recent work with Lucinda Williams. You can see Nano out on the boards at Botticelli's Monday the 28th and at the Irie Bean Coffee Bar Tuesday, October 6th.

Also, Nano was kind enough to give me a tip on his favorite locals, a quartet called Wiretree, check 'em out. - Blogspot