William Elliott Whitmore was raised on a horse farm near Keokuk, Iowa. He began writing stark, minimalist folk songs tinged with old-time country and blues while at the same time making connections with the DIY hardcore punk scene, and became well-known through this circuit despite having no punk musical influences. Independent punk-minded label Southern Records signed him in 2003 and released three of his LPs; his February 2009 disc appeared on the ANTI- label.
