Squirrel Flower - I Was Born Swimming
SQUIRREL FLOWER WILL RELEASE IRRESISTIBLE 'I WAS BORN SWIMMING'
According to medieval diviners, a child born “en caul” was predestined to eminence, and the child’s appearance brought good luck. Since traditional beliefs often contain kernels of truth, it should come as no surprise that Squirrel Flower seems destined for musical fame, as she was born “en caul,” or as the title of her forthcoming debut album suggests – I Was Born Swimming.
Squirrel Flower
Squirrel Flower is the musical project of Ella O’Connor Williams and, for all intents and purposes she is the real deal, and her album is a wonderment. Tracked live at The Rare Book Room Studio in NYC, the album was produced by Gabe Wax.
Two tracks are presently available for listening pleasure on Bandcamp – “Red Shoulder” and “Headlights.” Explaining the former song, Williams says, “‘Red Shoulder’ is a song about destabilization and dissociation. Something soft and tender becomes warped and sinister, turning into sensory overload and confusion. How can something so lovely turn painful and claustrophobic? The song ends with a heavy and visceral guitar solo, attempting to reground what went awry.”
'I Was Born Swimming' drops January 31. Squirrel Flower’s musical gift goes beyond nonpareil and enters the realm of the ineffable.
William is living proof of the old adage, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Her grandparents were classical musicians, while her father, who plays bass on the album, was a touring jazz and blues artist. As a child, Williams assumed the alter ego of Squirrel Flower, followed by singing with the Boston Children’s Chorus, studying music theory, and teaching herself guitar. Later, as a teenager, she lucked into Boston’s folk music scene, leading to writing, recording, and performing original songs.
She recorded and produced two EPs, as well as her own videos, followed by touring, sharing the stage with Soccer Mommy and Adrienne Lenker of Big Thief.
“Red Shoulder” opens on tentative guitar riffs, gleaming with visceral intensity, as Williams’ dreamy, almost nonchalant, tones glide hauntingly overhead. When the guitars ramp up, taking on rough, swirling edges, the harmonics reflect raw suffusing dynamics.
Simultaneously ethereal and serrated, it’s a wonderfully evocative tune.
“Headlights” travels on tender shimmering riffs topped by Williams’ gentle soaring timbres. A measured rhythmic pulse infuses the tune with light throbbing pressure juxtaposed against the creamy undulations of the music.
I Was Born Swimming drops January 31. Squirrel Flower’s musical gift goes beyond nonpareil and enters the realm of the ineffable.
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