The track of the week this week has very special meaning. It’s a song that introduced me FULLY to an artist who I have come to admire, respect and love like one of my oldest friends though we have only known each other for a very short time. When Ian Fitzgerald came into the studio to record the Will Houlihan penned “Vampyre” I knew it was going to be good, I just didn’t realize how truly great it would be. A part of that is Ian’s uncanny ability to take a song and elevate it with his subtle, yet powerful, personality but another part is the fact that is was such an incredibly, deep and moving song to begin with.
This ‘somewhat introduction’ – or perhaps a reason to dig a little deeper in the well- to Will’s older material (and his ‘solo’ effort, Rural Instrospection Study Group) spiraled me deep into listening and interpreting Will’s lyrics and how he crafts not just a song, but a story, an emotion, and something so much more than just a collection verses and chorus’s over a chord pattern. There is something so much heavier and intense about his writing that grasps you and pulls you even further in the cavern of what he is capable of as a writer.
Will will forever be one of my favorite writers. The music he has created solo, with a full band on his last release, and as a trio with Amato and Bessie more recently at live shows is firmly embedded in my musical being. Something I aspire to and will always appreciate.
This week Will, Bessie, and Amato take the stage at Newport Folk. I couldn’t be more proud, excited and happy to see it all unfold this Friday at 11 AM on the Harbor Stage.
Your track of the week…”Vampyre”