Squirrel Flower: 2024

Boston-bred Ella Williams has been releasing hauntingly introspective records as Squirrel Flower since 2015. The indie rocker is now up to her third album, Tomorrow's Fire, which she produced, engineered by Alex Farrar and featuring an all-star band that included Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver), Seth Kauffman (Angel Olsen's band), Jake Lenderman (aka MJ Lenderman), and Dave Hartley (The War on Drugs).

The title was inspired by her great-grandfather's novel of the same name and it's also a quote from the medieval French poet and troubadour Rutebeuf who once wrote: "Tomorrow's hopes provide my dinner/Tomorrow's fire must warm tonight." The idea that creativity is a beautiful struggle resonates with Williams. During our conversation about the record, she explained that she accepts and even appreciates this turmoil. She reflects upon her career and the people who have helped her embrace her artistic vision.

It was a meaningful and encouraging conversation, and Williams' performance in Studio A was also breathtaking.

[Recorded: 10/26/23; Engineered by Jim O'Hara with Allen Wang, Lauryn Williams, Nadia Garriga and Olivia Grant; Produced by Meghan Offtermatt]