Americana and alt-folk is a genre that is unusually disproportionate in it's balance between male and female acts. Female artists are generally filtered into one of two categories, folk or country, and either designation is often incorrect. Take Whitney Mann for example. Online reviews have sort of placed her in the very broad category of midwestern female country acts but a diligent perusal through her catalog shows much more depth and soul than most typical country performers.
Whitney Mann's music attracts dancers and thinkers alike, and it is that timeless match of intelligent literature and earthy melodies in her songwriting that sets Mann apart from her country and folk contemporaries. Her expressive and often picturesque lyrics jibe perfectly with her predominantly softer arrangements, mid-tempo, americana alt-country that is interspersed with true country sensibilities. Mann presents that package with a fetching voice that seems to hold the key to our innermost thoughts and affections, utilizing measured lyrical reveals to heighten that space and spirit.
Whitney performs equally well in uptempo numbers, too, and the songs Home from her album The Western Sky or Oh You, Oh Me, Oh My on her recent live album are perfect example of authentic, old-timey Appalachian folk and country.
But it is in her confessional songs, those nestled in deep, elegiac lyrics that seemingly levitate gently above their delicate melodies, where Mann excels. Miss You On The Farm is a great example. The Fool I've Been is another one. There are moments where Mann can be equally sparse and lush but without being too precise, and when she nails that fusion she is truly beguiling. Fans of Amanda Shires or The Little Willies will absolutely love Whitney Mann.
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Whitney Mann's Jivewired Bio: "Whitney Mann is the best kept secret in Wisconsin," says Willie Nelson Production Manager John T. Selman, who watched 26-year-old Mann open for Nelson. "She's raw, she's real. Whitney sings and writes from the heart. You can't ask for more than that from a musician."
Listening to The Western Sky is like admiring a spread of framed photos arranged on top of an old upright piano. It's a harvest of emotions and devotions to all things home.
Home is The Western Sky's second track. Comfort food of the highest order. "The song describes a place where everything feels easy and comfortable," says Mann. "The song is about finding a place that leaves you feeling at peace." It's a jaunty track that Dolly and Porter would have felt at home with in 1971.
Mann says she doesn't intentionally write country music. "My songs just turn out that way." The reason may be because she has no choice in the matter. It's in her bones. Mann grew up on her father's farm in southern Michigan. Township population: 400. Country music on the radio. Mom on piano at church on Sunday mornings.
These are the kinds of experiences that lead people to good things. They've led Mann to a country voice that is growing in strength by the hour.
"Whitney has one of the most pure and emotionally charged voices I've ever heard," says Don Kronberg, promoter for Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and George Jones tours. He's the guy who booked her to open different programs for all three country giants. "Her ability to immediately connect with audiences is a rare quality that will allow her to build a very large fan base... quickly."
It's only a matter of time before those with talent as large as her own will be opening shows for her. Meanwhile Mann headlines all around the Midwest. She and her band also continue to be a go-to opening act for some of the Midwest's most treasured contemporary singer-songwriters, artists like gifted Chicago troubadour Joe Pug.
Mann is captivating as a soloist but she's smart enough to surround herself with musicians who seem to understand, to the note, the consequences of what she sings about. Adam Cargin's snare drum inserts an evocative, sad military feel to Miss You on the Farm. The song is Mann's ode to her grandpa, a World War II vet.
There's a great photo of Whitney and Loretta chatting in the dressing room before their show last winter. Two generations of country girls shooting the breeze. It's the kind of picture that's destined for a piano top. No one would ever claim looking at it that Whitney will be the next Loretta. But damn. She may be the next best thing.
Andy Moore
Contributing Writer, No Depression
Producer, Wisconsin Public Television's 30 Minute Music Hour
Featured Album Release:Whitney Mann Live (June 2014)
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Purchase:Bandcamp | Amazon | iTunes
Stream:Bandcamp
Artist Website:http://www.whitneymannmusic.com/
One Sentence Album Review: "There may be no musical pleasure as beautifully heartfelt, affectionate and pleasantly cozy as spending 45-minutes with Whitney Mann in a live setting."
-- Jivewired.com
"Whitney Mann has one of those mesmerizing voices that can stop table chatter and glass clinking in a coffeehouse or a crowded bar."
-- Wisconsin State Journal
"Whitney has one of the most pure and emotionally charged voices that I have ever heard. Her ability to immediately connect with audiences is a rare quality that will allow her to build a very large fan base... quickly."
-- Don Kronberg, President, NiteLite Productions
A Cool Whitney Man Link That We Found:Java Blend Exclusive Hour With Whitney Mann (Podcast)
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Whitney Mann Media Links:Jivewired | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Article Sources: Wisconsin State Journal, NiteLite Productions, Jason Weiss, Don Kronberg, Iowa Public Radio, NPR, Andy Moore, Wisconsin Public Television, 30 Minute Music Hour
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Whitney Mann's music attracts dancers and thinkers alike, and it is that timeless match of intelligent literature and earthy melodies in her songwriting that sets Mann apart from her country and folk contemporaries. Her expressive and often picturesque lyrics jibe perfectly with her predominantly softer arrangements, mid-tempo, americana alt-country that is interspersed with true country sensibilities. Mann presents that package with a fetching voice that seems to hold the key to our innermost thoughts and affections, utilizing measured lyrical reveals to heighten that space and spirit.
Whitney performs equally well in uptempo numbers, too, and the songs Home from her album The Western Sky or Oh You, Oh Me, Oh My on her recent live album are perfect example of authentic, old-timey Appalachian folk and country.
But it is in her confessional songs, those nestled in deep, elegiac lyrics that seemingly levitate gently above their delicate melodies, where Mann excels. Miss You On The Farm is a great example. The Fool I've Been is another one. There are moments where Mann can be equally sparse and lush but without being too precise, and when she nails that fusion she is truly beguiling. Fans of Amanda Shires or The Little Willies will absolutely love Whitney Mann.
Whitney Mann's Jivewired Bio: "Whitney Mann is the best kept secret in Wisconsin," says Willie Nelson Production Manager John T. Selman, who watched 26-year-old Mann open for Nelson. "She's raw, she's real. Whitney sings and writes from the heart. You can't ask for more than that from a musician."
Listening to The Western Sky is like admiring a spread of framed photos arranged on top of an old upright piano. It's a harvest of emotions and devotions to all things home.
Home is The Western Sky's second track. Comfort food of the highest order. "The song describes a place where everything feels easy and comfortable," says Mann. "The song is about finding a place that leaves you feeling at peace." It's a jaunty track that Dolly and Porter would have felt at home with in 1971.
Mann says she doesn't intentionally write country music. "My songs just turn out that way." The reason may be because she has no choice in the matter. It's in her bones. Mann grew up on her father's farm in southern Michigan. Township population: 400. Country music on the radio. Mom on piano at church on Sunday mornings.
These are the kinds of experiences that lead people to good things. They've led Mann to a country voice that is growing in strength by the hour.
"Whitney has one of the most pure and emotionally charged voices I've ever heard," says Don Kronberg, promoter for Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and George Jones tours. He's the guy who booked her to open different programs for all three country giants. "Her ability to immediately connect with audiences is a rare quality that will allow her to build a very large fan base... quickly."
It's only a matter of time before those with talent as large as her own will be opening shows for her. Meanwhile Mann headlines all around the Midwest. She and her band also continue to be a go-to opening act for some of the Midwest's most treasured contemporary singer-songwriters, artists like gifted Chicago troubadour Joe Pug.
Mann is captivating as a soloist but she's smart enough to surround herself with musicians who seem to understand, to the note, the consequences of what she sings about. Adam Cargin's snare drum inserts an evocative, sad military feel to Miss You on the Farm. The song is Mann's ode to her grandpa, a World War II vet.
There's a great photo of Whitney and Loretta chatting in the dressing room before their show last winter. Two generations of country girls shooting the breeze. It's the kind of picture that's destined for a piano top. No one would ever claim looking at it that Whitney will be the next Loretta. But damn. She may be the next best thing.
Andy Moore
Contributing Writer, No Depression
Producer, Wisconsin Public Television's 30 Minute Music Hour
I'm starting at @YouTube series telling the stories behind my songs. Here's the first: "More Than A Man" http://t.co/MnRWb7FGMJ
— Whitney Mann (@wmannmusic) January 28, 2014Featured Album Release:Whitney Mann Live (June 2014)
Purchase:Bandcamp | Amazon | iTunes
Stream:Bandcamp
Artist Website:http://www.whitneymannmusic.com/
One Sentence Album Review: "There may be no musical pleasure as beautifully heartfelt, affectionate and pleasantly cozy as spending 45-minutes with Whitney Mann in a live setting."
-- Jivewired.com
"Whitney Mann has one of those mesmerizing voices that can stop table chatter and glass clinking in a coffeehouse or a crowded bar."
-- Wisconsin State Journal
"Whitney has one of the most pure and emotionally charged voices that I have ever heard. Her ability to immediately connect with audiences is a rare quality that will allow her to build a very large fan base... quickly."
-- Don Kronberg, President, NiteLite Productions
A Cool Whitney Man Link That We Found:Java Blend Exclusive Hour With Whitney Mann (Podcast)
Whitney Mann Media Links:Jivewired | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
Article Sources: Wisconsin State Journal, NiteLite Productions, Jason Weiss, Don Kronberg, Iowa Public Radio, NPR, Andy Moore, Wisconsin Public Television, 30 Minute Music Hour