Whitty Remarks, “The Paltry Sum EP” available for pre-order digitally & on cassette now! Album release on 01/28/2026. First single, “Song For Dolores” (and its acoustic counterpart) currently available over at Bandcamp. Link in bio.
Huge thanks to everyone involved (tagged in the album art above)— these songs wouldn’t be half as listenable without all of you.
We once heard the phrase, “you only live as long as the last person who remembers you”, and it might be the most proper one-liner to explain our work for the past five years. Writing the songs surrounding our previous full-length release Nary A Care was Travis’ best attempt at interpreting and preserving a few elements of his family history. Whereas Nary A Care exists to contextualize a five-year father/son grief cycle, the Paltry Sum EP plays out more like its blooming, hopeful epilogue. Travis sought to bring more light to his family tree by paying artistic respects to his grandmother and grandfather. Songs about gardens, growth, building, repairing, acceptance and perseverance are channeled through six tracks’ worth of anthemic and reserved moments.
We felt like there was room to lean on duality in “Song For Dolores”; recording both a full band & acoustic version. The louder, late Replacements era full band version attempts to yell all sentiments to the ceiling, while the low key acoustic version is meant to feel like we’re chatting earnestly with you over brunch. Those distinct solos in the full band version? Given freely by none other than Stephen Strupp (Sat Nite Duets/Poor Ridley). The peppered piano in the dressed down version? Sprinkled in gracefully by Peter Vartanian (Fauxny).
Another track, “If Memory Serves Me”, uses a collection of field-recorded anecdotes from Dolores’ daughter in its verses to move the listener on through to choruses acknowledging togetherness during and in mortal depature.
Records (much like all of us) are a vessel. They contain intricate, emotional complexities. With that sentiment close to heart, we recently partnered with Chris Banta at the incomparable @romanusrecords in Indianapolis to take @smashedplastic ’s original vinyl manufacturing mastery and assembled a new version of the LP we’re calling the “Celebration of Life Edition”. Nary A Care is an album dedicated entirely to my late father, whose ashes now rest inside fifteen copies of the album for family and a few of his closest friends. Full story available above in the carousel.
Whitty Remarks full-length album, "Nary A Care" available on 04/15/2025 in both digital & physical formats.
Vinyl & digital pre-order available starting today via Bandcamp (link in bio), with an immediate download of the first single, “Heal Harms”.
Self-released, limited edition, “Algae Bloom” hand-poured iridescent green 12” LP w/ vellum overlay cover & lino cut duck stamp on the inner sleeve.
Four test pressings will be available, with full sale going to AODA counseling services in the Fox Cities, WI.
Travis spent the last five years processing & giving shape to the grief of losing his father. Nary A Care is celebratory and cutting all at once–– an interpretation of a whole person in their delicate, forty-year journey together.
"Music was the binding agent that kept us in touch all the way up until Dad’s abrupt and early end. In fact, my first band’s practice was in his dining room. Five doe-y eyed high schoolers fumbled through “American Jesus” by Bad Religion about fifteen times and called it a night. From that tiny, repurposed communal room, a desire to write original music commenced. Making sound became an extension of my kinetic career path. Twentysomething years later, here we are. Though presence wasn’t historically his main attribute, Dad was almost always at our shows, an avid supporter of my artistic life. Small gestures were his forte.
Dad was also a fervent supporter of classic rock bands like AC/DC and Black Sabbath while simultaneously having a massive love for 90’s country like Garth Brooks & Shania Twain. Nary A Care embodies a lot of those influences throughout the record in small, referential doses. Pedal steel provides an ethereal and emotional bed, while other songs boast heavier lead guitar lines that dance around or tear into the pop/folk foundation.
In short, Nary A Care is a direct nod to Dad in every capacity."
Records, much like all of us, are a vessel. They contain intricate, emotional complexities. With that sentiment close to heart, the album will take on a second form to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Patrick's death on 06/23/2025. More on that soon.
🎥: @stephentspurlock
Just when I think I’ve run out of proper nouns or titles to describe @ashleegwhitty ’s abilities, I reference photos in my phone reel and discover plenty more. Mother Extraordinaire. Game Room Baller. Skate Mate. Family Hike Aficionado. You get the idea. We’re so thankful to be in your presence, share our days together and celebrate you on Hallmark Holidays or any random day of the year. We love you, my bud!
Some say the music that moves you in your teens & early twenties ultimately shapes your identity through a “reminiscence bump”. In college, @mirahmusic was (and continues to be) one of those visionary, influential voices I've often referenced in my own artistic endeavors. Twenty years ago I learned how to be a songwriter by way of loop pedal, four-track and Mirah’s music (along with many other @krecs artists) only a handful of houses down from where we’re sharing a show at the end of the month. This relatively full circle moment feels like a solid silver lining in my book. We hope you’ll join us to get lost in songs from Mirah’s new record. We’ll be presenting dressed down arrangements from our last two releases to start the night.
I have returned to excitedly announce, Friday, May 29th @skyhigh1988 will host @mirahmusic and @whittyremarks for an evening of songs.
**Tickets will be available at the door 🚪**
Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn lives in Brooklyn, New York, where she works as a song writer, performer, producer and mom. In a constant dedication to expanding her tender repertoire of American folk songs into a larger context, her recordings seek to find the magical amity between explorative percussion, orchestral sounds and elements of rock and popular music.
Thanks to longtime friends @whittyremarks for opening up the show, and collaborating with me on this very flyer!
We hope to see you there ☮️
Digging through the archives to build a playlist of songs for the next record and found a set list from 20 years ago (with one of my favorite lines from @zerbe ). I forgot Golden Coins & Whitty Remarks were interchangeable depending on solo or full band sets. Really looking forward to dusting off old ideas with the new band— some of these were so fun to play back then and will RULE re-imagined. Shoutout to all Whitty Remarks members current and past. Wouldn’t love doing this without you.
We here at Whitty Remarks HQ consider Tax Day null and void. Instead we humbly observe Nary A Care Day (Dad’s birthday) every April 15th. The record has officially been out of our hands for a year, and we couldn’t be more moved by what it means to all of you. For me, it’s a thesis statement about the driving spirit and unavoidable pitfalls of the father/son relationship. Presented tangibly for a larger audience in wax, paper and ash, we’re overjoyed about what we set out to convey through song.
The one calming equalizer I’ve been able to count on my whole life is to sit in a room and build: with notes & chords, pencils & pens, pixels & keyframes. It’s the most reliable second language I know, and the one I chose to sum up my relationship with Dad. The fact that it has transcendant properties wasn’t something I was completely prepared for. Right after its release and just this past weekend, I talked to folks who said there are parallels to their own familial experiences in the music. Human connection is all we could really hope for.
Immesurable amount of thanks to YOU for listening, playing our music in headphones/through speakers/on the airwaves, coming to shows, hosting shows, interviewing us, writing about the album, purchasing the work, etc… and to everyone involved in seeing this work through: Andrew Jambura, K Cashion, Ian Olvera, Justin Perkins, Ashlee Whitty, Luke Bassuener, Barry Paul Clark, Christopher Porterfield, Todd Umhoefer, Stephen Spurlock, Eric Arsnow, Stephen Strupp, Peter Vartanian, Nathaniel Heuer, Audre Rae Krull, Clarity Salata, Mike Palzkill, Timm Gable, Shelley Gauthier, Chris Banta, Smashed Plastic, Alpha Graphics and Lucas Hennessey.
Happy 59th birthday, Dad. I believe we honored (and continue to honor) you from an honest enough perspective. Glad I could observe and annotate some of my own endearing/faltering qualities in the process.
The Whitty Remarks live roster has shifted a little in the past few months, so let's get familiar (from left to right)!
@njheuer : bass & heart. Trades person and Rad Dad® who also plays in @hellodeath , @thealtos , etc.
@ashleegwhitty : vocals & wit. Helluva public school educator and Mama.
Travis: vocals & guitar. Makes kinetic work for @funlandstudios by day.
@sahanicyouth : drums & published author. Also plays in @gnagm_ , @poor_ridley , etc.
@fieldreportmusic : guitar & artistic spirit guide. "What else ya got?" became our new band mantra after the last recording session.
Post script love to @asumayasongs & @stephentspurlock , who helped us share Nary A Care with a captive audience live last year.
FOX CITIES FRIENDS & FAMILY! We’re playing a limited capacity house show in Appleton on Saturday, April 11th. FREE, RSVP ONLY (link in bio). This is the first time we’ve played north of Milwaukee in well over a decade, so naturally we would love to share time and our recent work with you. This is a Whitty Remarks trio set (Travis/Ashlee/Chris). We’ll be joined by two Appleton staples: @sofie_engle7 (@melodia_theband ) and Sighs (Todd Vandenberg, French New Wave/Heller Mason). Really looking forward to seeing you!
It’s been a minute (and then some)! We’re playing a slightly late EP release show with two of our favorites from right above & below Milwaukee on Friday, March 20th at @thesugarmaple . @melodia_theband (Appleton) joined us for last year’s LP release and mesmerized the crowd with their stunning song craft. @health_club_band (Kenosha) put out one of my favorite albums in the past handful of years. We are so thankful they’re on board to place a plethora of catchy hooks in your head. This is one of just a couple of shows we’re going to play this year, so we would love to share the early spring evening with you if you’re able! Link in bio to tickets.
“Song For Dolores” is a nod to my grandmother. My first word was “flower” thanks to her passion for growth. Neighbors and the local community at large knew her for the monumental Canna beds she boasted (as much as someone as modest as Dolores could). She also has a tendency to appear in my dreams when I am most undone in my waking life, usually playing the role of calming agent. I think of her often and wanted to use music as a means to showcase a phenomenal woman.
Travis Whitty – Guitar/Vocals
Ashlee Whitty – Vocals
Christopher Porterfield – Guitar
Stephen Strupp – Solo Ripper
Barry Paul Clark – Bass
Luke Bassuener – Drums
