Graham Whorley: Press

Graham Whorley gets amped on new album
The local songwriter goes full tilt
by T. Ballard Lesemann

Armed with a microphone, an acoustic six-string, and only a few effects pedals, Graham Whorley creates an impressively vibrant range of sounds. Established as a versatile solo live performer, the Charleston-based singer/guitarist's skill, versatility, and performance style seems to come naturally. While he's worked diligently over the years, both as solo act and as a bandleader, this year's taking shape as the most transitional and ambitious of his career.

There's two pots simmering on the Whorley burner. He recently completed the basic tracks for a forthcoming 14-song solo album of originals. He also assembled a brand-new lineup of musicians for The Graham Whorley Band.

"I'm really excited about this session," Whorley says of his studio work in Lynchburg, Va., with longtime friend Roger Reynolds at the mixing board. "I wrote all these new songs, and I figured if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. I'm not going to get somebody else to do it for me. That way, I have no one to be mad at but myself if it doesn't turn out right. It's going well so far. It might be the best thing I've done so far."

Whorley played all of the instruments on the album — drums, xylophone, piano, bass, and acoustic and electric guitars. He plans to do the final mixes this summer.

"Roger and I were literally blood brothers when we were eight years old," Whorley says of his engineer. "He was my best friend. His place is nothing like any of the studios we have here in Charleston. You could literally put any major band in there, and it would be completely accommodating. There's nothing but goodness coming out of the speakers."

Whorley's previous solo release, 2007's State of Affairs, mixed a few acoustic ballads with some of his groovier acoustic rockers, powered by harmonies and loop pedal effects. His latest tracks are more amplified, with a broader full-band sound.

"It's so different from my last album, which was mostly acoustic-based," says the songwriter. "It's me redoing myself once again. I feel like I'm going completely legit with this album. Every time, I go a little further and a little further. It's full tilt this time — the whole nine yards."

Encouraged and inspired by the environment and vibe of the studio, Whorley wrote several of the songs while jamming in the main room during some marathon sessions. He plans to mix it in Lynchburg this summer and have it mastered in L.A. and Nashville by late fall.

In and around town, Whorley regularly plays more than 300 solo shows a year. It's not unusual for him to do gigs in town every day of the week, with a double or two thrown in. The last two years have been a fairly quiet run for the Graham Whorley Band, however. This year things are revving back up with the addition of keys man Chris Duvall (of The Key of Q), drummer John Fitzgerald (of The Secrets, Baby Fat), and bassist Tad Fletcher (of Vehicle).

"The first time this new GWB played was at Loggerhead's on Folly Beach this summer. We just slammed the joint," says Whorley. "We're in the early stages, but it's solid."

The new GWB is fine-tuning live arrangements of Whorley's new studio material and expanding their eclectic set list of rock, soul, and blues standards.

"We're still doing stuff like Frank Zappa, Freddie King, Luther Allison, Phish, John Scofield, to name a few," says Whorley. "These guys are all very into the music, plus they're all very professional musicians. I'm really proud of how well they've clicked."

"Guitarist Graham Whorley is a long-time favorite on the Charleston jam scene. A master with a loop pedal, he's able to blend percussive acoustic rhythms with building, exploratory leads, creating a fusion that's difficult to sit still to."

"Wherever he goes, he has a following, and he constantly explores new ways to achieve his desired sound with his original experimental/funk/rock music."

"You just can't get that around here. The quality of the music and the capability of one person to produce anything from classical to rock and everything in between is amazing." -

Dave Nash- Pawley's Island,SC

"When you see someone that talented, you want people to enjoy it with you...Graham is one of the most talented musicians I've ever seen."
- Josh Quigley (owner of Quigley's Pint and Plate)

A WHORLEY-ING DERVISH
By Paul Grimshaw
For Weekly Surge


Fans of live music along the Grand Strand and also Charleston are no strangers to the name Graham Whorley. He's been bringing his band (The Graham Whorley Band) and his solo act to area clubs for a decade. The 32 year-old singer/songwriter/guitar phenom does what he must to support his family and has the privilege of plying his trade to do so. "I have two little ones," said Whorley from the Santee residence of his in-laws during a rare and short vacation. "I want to be able to give them what I didn't have. Raven is seven and Taylor is eleven. This break has been great - the pool, the hot tub..."

The driving force behind his brutal 280-shows-per-year schedule is the support of his family, which also includes his full-time booking agent and wife Keli Whorley. "She took over [booking] about a year and half ago and it's been such a burden lifted off of me. We [his band] are in the studio a lot and with all the travel...it was too much." Roughly 70 percent of his dates are solo performances, where his prolific writing ability and guitar playing are showcased. Josh Quigley of Quigley's Pint & Plate in Pawleys Island was so enamored by Whorley and his band that he has a steady commitment to having him at his pub at least once a month. "When you see someone that talented, you want people to enjoy it with you," said Quigley from the Pub via phone. "We're trying to find things that are new and different for the area," he continued. "And Graham is one of the most talented musicians I've ever seen."

The Charleston-based Whorley will bring his solo act to Quigley's from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Friday in support of his first full-length CD project, the 13-track "State of Affairs." The self-produced album had sold 300 copies before its May 2007 release date. "It was crazy how fast these things went," said Whorley. "We ordered another 500 copies and those are almost gone as well." The project can be sampled and purchased at CDbaby.com, or www.grahamwhorley.com. A mix of Dave Matthews, Ry Cooder and Leon Russell, Whorley's music is earthy, bluesy and all his own. Music video samples, courtesy of embedded YouTube links, allow visitors to his site to sample his eclectic fare. "I studied classical music when I was a kid for like three months, but I'm into all kinds of stuff - Gypsy grooves, jazz, blues...I'll play a few covers but they're usually ones that no one else does - maybe Leo Kottke or [Pink] Floyd."

It's not just about the music. Whorley is on a mission - inspired by the dedication of his sister Laura Williams, who passed away in 2005. "My sister passed away from ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. It was devastating to our whole family. Stem-cell research was very important to her, so we register voters at our shows. We don't make a big deal about it but getting the paper work done is half the battle with getting people to vote. Last year we registered 280 people and we hope to surpass that number this year. We raised $10,000 at a big show here in Charleston last year and gave half the money directly to fund ALS research and the rest to help with my sister's ridiculous medical expenses."

Charleston has been home to Whorley since the day he was standing in two feet of snow in Lynchburg, Va. and got a call from his sister in Charleston. "She said she was going to the beach that day and that was all it took. I moved my two dogs, a guitar and a trash bag full of clothes to Charleston." Whorley travels back to his home state occasionally and plays dates throughout the Southeast including a long-standing invite to play Foster's annual Beach Party and Christmas Party. Catch Whorley at Quigley's Pint & Plate, 257 Willbrook Blvd in the Mingo Shopping Center, Pawleys Island. Call 237-7010.

The Charleston City Paper
By Stratton Lawrence


Graham Whorley
"State of Affairs"
(independent)

There must be something in the air up in Virginia. Listen to nearly any 10-second clip from Cavalier-state export Graham Whorley's solo debut, and the comparisons to Va.-based loop guitarist Keller Williams are immediate. Despite his very similar sound, Whorley is able to hold his own, fortunately, placing staccato acoustic riffs over groovable, rhythmic layers to create a diverse album of jams and ballads. Opening track "Sway" repeatedly asks, "Tell me what it is to make you act that way?" as Whorley loops his vocals, effectively harmonizing with himself. Insightful, pressing lyrics like, "Do you hear the cries and fears?/God has been missing for years," (on "God's Playpen") give credence to Whorley's sometimes strained and distant-sounding voice. He places the ballads early on the album, then breaks out the slide on "CC My Playmate" to get the blood flowing. "Cue" is a live recording from the Pour House, beginning with an almost haunting, anticipatory bass walk that he complements with steel drum-like layered solos higher on his guitar's neck. By "Diablo Senorita," a song with a riff reminiscent of Phish's "First Tube," the album has picked up enough to get people off the couch and dancing. Title track "State of Affairs" closes the disc, utilizing audio clips from President Bush defending his disregard of the Geneva Convention ("Outrages upon human dignity? That's very vague."), with heavy drums and bass giving emphasis to the implications of those words. Whorley's done a good job here, utilizing samples and showing off his guitar and loop expertise to put together a polished, solid presentation of his solo capabilities. See www.grahamwhorley.com for more. —Stratton Lawrence

GRAHAM WHORLEY
"State Of Affairs"
(Independent)
(B+)

If you live in Charleston and follow the music scene, then it is almost impossible not to have heard of Graham Whorley at some point.

The Virginia transplant performs more than 250 shows a year, either with a band or as a solo acoustic artist, and his guitar virtuosity is well-known even outside the confines of the Lowcountry.

In much the same manner that Keller Williams made famous, Whorley uses looping pedals to create layer after layer of music when playing live.

On "State of Affairs," Whorley's new CD, the musician gives plenty of examples as to why he is so respected locally. From the Dave Matthews-esque "Lonesome Child," to a live version of "Cue" recorded at the Pour House, this CD will appeal to jam-band aficionados looking for some great guitar playing, or even casual-music listeners looking for something that gets their attention, yet at the same time doesn't beat them over the head with its intricacy.

Other choice tracks include "Sway" and the lengthy yet great instrumental "Diablo Senorita."

Grab the CD, but also make sure you get out to see Whorley live.

"For years, Charleston-based singer and electric/acoustic blues-rock guitarist
Graham Whorley has worked with various groups of musicians who understand his
soulful vibe and complex rock stylings. On the side, he's established himself as
a versatile solo live performer, too (his "loop shows" are a hoot)."

"Unbelievable solo! What a great guitarist. Some of these rifts are off the wall!"

"...one of Charleston's best, really good music and a great sound. Great original song writing and a must listen..."

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure taught us that anyone can have a successful garage band. But what does it take to cultivate staying power in the music scene?
Graham Whorley, who is part of the very definition of the Charleston music scene, shares some sage advice for Bill and ted's everywhere.
1. Be true to yourself. "It's so important for success in life. Don't go with the flow. Once you start doing what you want to do, then you can actually start playing music.
2. Take things in the music biz with a grain of salt.
3. Do what you can to make a difference. To do his part, Whorley has played a myriad of benefit shows and has also been registering people to vote at his shows.
4. Be prepared to be exposed to a world of weird and wacky. In his decade on the music scene, Whorley has seen cars drive through bars, police raids on bars during his set, and recently a buck naked patron used the bar as a slip and slide.
5. Never succomb to the wishes of drunken rednecks.