Every week, 88Nine brings you a fresh track from a Milwaukee artist. They send it to us. We post it here. You hear it before everyone else.
For today's premiere, we're happy to debut a new track from the Milwaukee duo The Quilz. Listen to the song "Fan The Flame" below!
First impressions
"Fan The Flame" begins with a bang, brandishing a commanding organy-yet-synthy tone. Seems like an odd place to start, and that's why I love it so much. The song takes you on a dreamy journey from the outset, winding past sparse percussion and melodic guitar. It's a starry soundscape, dotted with twinkling electronic flourishes. (You can really hear said flourishes wearing headphones.)
My favorite part, though, is how the song closes. Vocalist Becky Heck finishes her verse, then guitarist/producer Sage Schwarm ends with a long fade out. It lets you imagine the dreamy world The Quilz creates lives on, basically daring you to listen again.
And I did. Five times.
Update: Make that six.
In the band's words
"Fan The Flame" is a lush, melodramatic nod to 60's girl groups. It's about taking an emotional leap of faith and fanning the flame of love instead of putting out the fire.
Ready.....Aim......Fan the Flame.
The CD is out now, but the LP is due out May 24, 2019. The CD has three bonus tracks not featured on the vinyl. There'll be 100 hand numbered copies of the LP with purple vinyl and special letterpressed cover art. We will be touring regionally in support of the new release later this summer & fall.
The iTunes pre-sale for "Fishing For Ketchup" starts Friday. Folks can buy it early and then get one download, which I chose to be "Fan the Flame."
