Whitmer, who also directed the “Dancing With My Dad” video, had this to say, “It’s a holiday song about a movie star saving his dad from feeling lonely at a party. It was inspired by my relationship with my dad and his journey to recovery and redemption. When my parents split I didn't see my dad for a few years. In those years, I'd latch onto whatever semblance of a dad I could in movies and TV. I wasn't able to film a proper video for Dancing With My Dad due to the pandemic, so instead, I edited together my ideal day of channel surfing in 1999 when the only consistency in my life was the TV Guide channel.”
Songs from The Golden One features music from Whitmer's HBO Comedy special "Whitmer Thomas: The Golden One," which premiered in February 2020. It is available now to stream or download, and the CD and LP are available worldwide through the Hardly Art.
Songs from The Golden One features two exclusive tracks not included in his HBO special (“The Codependent Enabler” and the aforementioned “Dancing With My Dad”) and was recorded in Los Angeles with production by Jona Bechtolt and Rob Kieswetter of electro-pop band YACHT. Whitmer was recently named one of the "Best New Up-and-coming Comedians to Watch" by Vulture and has previously appeared in GLOW, The Good Place, and more.
What critics are saying about Whitmer Thomas:
“The Year’s Funniest Album [Songs from The Golden One] - The FADER
"The comedian and musician’s breakthrough HBO special is full of songs about familial trauma that work just as well in an album format.” [Songs from The Golden One] - Pitchfork
"Thomas's music ... is good enough to play on its own, and leans more Tears for Fears than Weird Al” [Songs from The Golden One] - PAPER
“Thomas channels all of his feelings through a charming hybrid of highly self-aware comedic storytelling and arch original songs that can only be described as “'darkwave comedy bangers.’” ["...The Golden One”] - The AV Club
“Thomas presents as a unique talent and storyteller.” ["...The Golden One”] - Uproxx
“The Los Angeles-based comedian, actor and musician Whitmer Thomas keeps audiences guessing with his unusual, deeply personal sets.”["...The Golden One”] - The New York Times
“The most impressive part of Thomas’s music-comedy fusion is how skilled he is at both.” ”["...The Golden One”] - The Ringer