On the Road with Denison Witmer

Philadelphia singer/songwriter Denison Witmer has been toiling below the mainstream radar for six years. He recently released Are You A Dreamer?, his sixth album. Like Elliott Smith, to whom he’s often compared, Witmer’s songs are strong enough to make him a household name. But while waiting for his version of the Good Will Hunting soundtrack, Witmer is constantly on the road, camera and journal in tow. Below he writes about some of his favorite spots.

PHILADEPLHIA

Philadelphia has been my home off-and-on for the past six years. Taken from the rooftop of my old studio space in Philadelphia’s Northern Liberties, this photo shows the skyline of what remains my favorite American city.

SAN DIEGO

Here, in my first shirtless magazine appearance, I’m receiving my first surfing lesson, though it may look like I’m posing for The O.C. Waiting on the shore was Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. This SoCal delicacy has become a must-have anytime I’m nearby. I was recently in San Diego playing bass for Sufjan Stevens and we spent a few nights driving to La Jolla just to have dinner there.

MADISON, WISC.

The Catacombs Coffeehouse (www.catacombscoffeehouse.com) had such an effect on me that I moved to Madison for a year to volunteer there. The Catacombs has proven you can survive as a business by using local and fair-trade coffee, tea, milk and chocolate without passing along the costs. They’ve become a vital part of Madison’s growing music scene, hosting Low, The Decemberists, TV on the Radio and others. Here I’m standing between Catacombs founders Kaleen Enke (left) and Jonny Hunter.

SEATTLE

For a two-month tour I was obsessed with drinking Café Americanos. My mission was simply to find the best. I drank… heavily. But few were comparable to what I found in Seattle, at Espresso Vivace. Here I’m proudly displaying my purchase.

With a 3 a.m. bedtime following a late concert, only Seattle’s coffee could get me out of bed two hours later to wax poetic about music on KEXP (90.3 FM and kexp.org). Here I am performing “Stations.”

NEW ORLEANS

F. Scott Fitzgerald and other authors were known to frequent the historic Hotel Monteleone. The bar (pictured) is a spinning carousel.

SAN FRANSISCO

I was lucky to spend four days off in San Francisco on a tour, and I love the place. From Ocean Beach to Hotel Utah, from Chinatown to the Great American Music Hall, from the Navy Pier to Café Du Nord (which washes its microphones with Listerine before you perform!), there’s no neighborhood or music venue there I didn’t like.

CHICAGO

Schubas Tavern is a traveler’s oasis within my circle of touring musicians. Seeing Schubas on my tour schedule is enough to lift my spirits and keep me going. The painting of Saint Cecelia there inspired the lyrics to my song “Saint Cecelia (Ode to Music)” which can be found on Philadelphia Songs.