Exclusive album premiere: S/T by Fireships

Photo by Shervin Laine

New York City-born Andrew Vladeck, who formed the fiery alt-folk band Fireships in 2013 while wintering in the Hudson Valley, has always been equally drawn to both the modern energy of the city and the ancient pace of nature, fascinated by the ways they interact.

He found a way to combine these interests as a NYC Urban Park Ranger-Historian, stationed in Central Park. As a result of a spontaneous public performance while in uniform, he found himself doing double duty as “The Singing Ranger.” His music evolved along these lines, incorporating city-modern and country-traditional aesthetics. His first guitar and first lesson were compliments of his father’s cousin, the Grammy-nominated trad-rock musician David Bromberg. Fireships evolved from these hybrid beginnings.

Fireships recorded in Brooklyn, with producer Paul Loren’s virtuosic contributions and numerous drop-ins by talented friends such as the legendary composer David Amram.

The self-titled debut comes out next week, but songs on the album are already award-winners: “Gush” and “Countdown Time” are winners in the 2014 Great American Song Contest; “Chasing the Sun” won the Vox Pop Award as part of the Occupy This Album compilation for the Independent Music Awards. Previously “The Songs You Inspire” won First Place (AAA) in the International Songwriting Competition and bandleader Andrew Vladeck was voted NYC Artist of the Month in The Deli Magazine. The Village Voice has called his band “bold and brassy, nothing but fun.“

Want to hear some finely crafted, tuneful, passionate music? Click the big orange button and listen!