Whettman Chelmets’ latest album draws from childhood pain, the sins of the family, and the things we have trouble leaving behind to weave a sound of hopelessness, anger, and a quiet, sad optimism. For the past year, the artist has churned out short releases in the experimental tape label community, releasing works on WEATNU Records, Submarine Broadcasting Company, Girly Girl Musik, and Strategic Tape Reserve. All stylistically different, touching on themes of exploitation, optimism, late night diaper changes and the nature of memory, but each with a trademark blend of electronic experimentalism, cinematic ambience, overdriven drones and post-rock guitars.  

With Long Read Memories (available digitally and on CD through Bandcamp, and on cassette through Aescape Sounds), Whettman reflects on his brother, a 49 year old man who was convicted of murder at 17 when the artist was 9, almost 10 years old, currently serving a life sentence and working to cultivate his own stone garden through Buddhist vows other means of giving back. This singular event shaped the lives of so many, like concentric circles spilling outward. 

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Whettman about the latest music, technology, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

From Southwest Missouri.  Lived here my whole life, though I spent many summer’s in Northern Arizona with family.  I’m drawn to making music that’s slow and evolving, but not too slow and evolving!  Love key changes too.  Wish more people did those.  As far as labels go, it’s a mix of ambient, drone, shoegaze, and postrock type builds and crescendos.  I love weightless music, but I tend to make things more narrative and structured in nature.  I also spent a number of years refining music theory ideas by working out little midi sonatas and fugues.  Those ideas still show up in the music.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

The first record I owned was the soundtrack to Flash Gordon by Queen.  I don’t remember a time not having this record, and I would listen to it all the time.  That and just growing up within a punk rock community as a teen in the 90s.  Music has always been everywhere.

Nothing in particular motivates me besides the idea.  If there’s a concept to flesh out, I work on it.  I’ve gone years recording very few things.  This last release is an amalgamation of different songs recorded at different times.  I may slow down and get back to video games.  Who knows!  No signs of slowing down in 2020, though.

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

This release I wanted to structure around specific events of my life and how those events shaped my worldview now.  Other releases have been much more abstract in theme.  This one was very specific, though the listener will of course bring their own experiences in when listening.  I received a lot of kind responses from people who have listened and reflected on their own lives while listening, and it seems almost cathartic for a lot of people, which is great.  I suppose that’s what I was trying to accomplish. Catharsis.

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

Just getting heard.  It’s so hard to rise above anything because there are literally hundreds of releases every day.  Technology has been great in that it makes music democratic, but at the same time, we are literally drowning.  We’re more Brave New World than 1984, honestly.  However, I couldn’t accomplish any of these miniscule accomplishments without social media and reaching out to people and people reaching out to me and growing my own circle of people doing great things and making great art. 

What was the last song you listened to?

FKA Twigs – “Fallen Alien”

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

Streaming is so convenient, and before that, I probably spent 15+ years with mp3s.  It’s more a necessity than anything else.  A lot of people appreciate the tactile aspect of music that is often missing, but I just don’t have a space for all of that, nor have I been a huge vinyl collector. 

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?

Most of my listening comes from bandcamp. I try to spend a little bit each paycheck on supporting artists I like.  There are so many people making great music out there.  I do use spotify too, but I understanding the problematic nature of that platform.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

I’m most active on Twitter @wc_helmets.  I post sporadically on instagram and barely on facebook. 

Best place for music is just bandcamp.  https://whettmanchelmets.bandcamp.com.  I love getting notifications from bandcamp about things being released.  Great way to circumvent the noise and just curate your own life.

Anything else before we sign off?

Just thank you for taking the time to do this.  Giving voice to underground artists is an often thankless endeavor, so thank you.