Chicago singer/songwriter Ella Williams released her new album as Squirrel Flower, Tomorrow’s Fire, in October; stream it below, and read about the influences behind it here. With 2023 almost over, we’ve been asking artists about their favorite albums of the year, and Ella made us a list of 10. Read that, complete with her commentary, below.
SQUIRREL FLOWER’S FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2023
Making year end lists always makes me feel really strange. I don’t really engage with music in that way – listening to everything right when it comes out. Even really trying, I know I can’t think of most of the music that I listened to this year that I enjoyed. Maybe this means I have spaghetti for brains. Maybe it just means I’m not a music critic.
I threw this list together while in the back of a van on tour in Europe earlier this month. Looking back on it now, I realize most of these records are my friends, or correspond to an incredible live performance I saw this year that stuck with me, or both. I really can’t say if these are my ‘top 10 albums of the year’ but they’re some records that I loved by artists I look up to. They’re not intentionally ordered.
Midwife & Vyva Melinkolya – Orbweaving
This record found me at a dark but transformative time towards the end of the summer when I really needed it. I would blast this record through my little bluetooth speaker while biking around chicago in its end of summer glory, huge sunflowers, hazy air, through black eyed susans and the last few stubborn fireflies. You might think it’s too somber to be good biking music but it felt perfect to me. I would just float.
Maria BC – Spike Field
Rian and I first met playing a show together at Middlebury College in 2017 I think, in the dead of Vermont winter. Since that show I’ve seen them expand and grow so much as an artist, and Spike Field is nothing short of miraculous. Nobody can touch their voice.
Colin Miller – Haw Creek
This album destroys me. I was lucky to hear it before it came out. Colin’s production is so cool and his songwriting just hits. “Don’t Love You No More” is one of my most listened to songs of the year.
Tirzah – trip9love…???
I love everything Tirzah touches. You get the sense that she really does not give a fuck about expectations, she’s really just making the music for herself + her collaborators + those who get it. It’s how I aspire to be.
Truth Club – Running From The Chase
I love Truth Club so much. Toured with them in October and it was such a gift to see them every night. Really love this record + these people!!!
Horse Jumper of Love – Heartbreak Rules
Last March, Dimitri and I toured together, we both played solo sets and my friend Phoebe sold merch. We went around the Northeast and played little snowy towns. Dimitri played a lot of songs from this record on that tour, + they absolutely enchanted me. I love the more delicate approach that really highlights how amazing Dimitri is at songwriting and playing guitar.
Kara Jackson – Why Does The Earth Give Us People To Love?
Kara has always been one of my favorite songwriters/artists to see live but something shifted in me when I saw her play a 20 minute set at an event for Brandon Johnson at the Empty Bottle in March. I was completely overtaken. This record is magic.
uncommon rat – Live at Sappho’s Roadhouse
If you know you know. uncommon rat 4ever
Kali Malone – Does Spring Hide Its Joy
I saw Kali perform in April at the Bohemian National Cemetery’s crematorium. It was a dark, foggy night. The crematorium is a huge dome, with windows encircling the top. A vicious lightning storm rolled in. By the time it was on top of us, lightning illuminating the windows, the drones were so loud and so terrifying that you couldn’t differentiate the music from the thunder. I think everyone left that show changed.
Wednesday – Rat Saw God
Duhhhhh!!!! I’ve been lucky enough to share a stage w/ Wednesday twice this year. A truly amazing + inspiring band live and recorded.
Squirrel Flower returns to the road in mid-January for shows with Tenci, Greg Freeman, Goon, Jill Whit, Fime, Cryogeyser, All Things Blue, Alexalone, Greg Mendez, Dubb Nubb, and Melaina Kol. See all dates below.
SQUIRREL FLOWER: 2024 TOUR DATES
Jan 19, 2024 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL *#
Jan 20, 2024 7th St Entry Minneapolis, MN ^
Jan 21, 2024 Reverb Lounge Omaha, NE ^
Jan 23, 2024 Larimer Lounge Denver, CO ^
Jan 25, 2024 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT ^!
Jan 26, 2024 The Shredder Boise, ID ^
Jan 27, 2024 Mississippi Studios Portland, OR ^
Jan 29, 2024 Madame Lou’s Seattle, WA
Jan 31, 2024 Bottom Of The Hill San Francisco, CA ^@
Feb 2, 2024 Lodge Room Los Angeles, CA ~
Feb 3, 2024 Constellation Room Santa Ana, CA ~&
Feb 4, 2024 The Rebel Lounge Phoenix, AZ ~
Feb 6, 2024 The Ballroom Austin, TX ?
Feb 7, 2024 Club Dada Dallas, TX ?
Feb 8, 2024 George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville, AR +
Feb 9, 2024 Duck Room at Blueberry Hill St Louis, MO +=
Feb 10, 2024 Third Man Records – Blue Room Nashville, TN +♦
Feb 12, 2024 The Masquerade – Purgatory Atlanta, GA +
Feb 13, 2024 Eulogy Asheville, NC +
Feb 14, 2024 Cat’s Cradle – Back Room Carrboro, NC +
Feb 15, 2024 The Camel Richmond, VA +
Feb 16, 2024 Colony Woodstock, NY +
Feb 17, 2024 The Drake Amherst, MA +
* with Tenci
# with Greg Freeman
^ with Goon
! with Jill Whit
@ with Fime
~ with Cryogeyser
& with All Things Blue
? with Alexalone
+ with Greg Mendez
= with Dubb Nubb
♦ with Melaina Kol
