NYC-born and based singer-songwriter Andrew Vladeck conceived of Fireships as he was writing a new record and brought in musician friends to manifest this vision. The songs seemed to fit a theme – using fire and water to fight darkness with light. The 2015 album “Fireships” (End Up Records) is classic yet keenly modern, mixing choice folk-rock spanning decades and featuring finger-picked electric guitar of American Folk and West African influence, recalling Lou Reed, Paul Simon’s Graceland, and Deer Tick. Voted Best of 2015 by The New York Music Daily, who call it “imaginatively arranged Americana rock and chamber pop with a fearlessly aware, Dylanesque, populist lyricism.”  Vladeck’s lyrics resonate with the depth and sophistication of the folk tradition; Fireships’ sound is more contemporary – arrangements billow with bass and strident drums, triumphal organs and harmonies.

Fireships’ multi-instrumentalist Lauren Balthrop (Dear Georgiana) lends Emmylou-esque vocals that blend with Andrew’s unvarnished delivery. Rhythm section team Chris Buckridge and Jason Lawrence fuse bass and drums, lending gravitas to songs such as drunken astronaut fantasy “Countdown Time.” Various friends dropped by the studio during recording and drop by live shows for beautiful contributions and writing: Sydney Wayser (Clara Nova), Adam Levy, David Amram, Marika Hughes, Skye Steele, Tim Luntzel, Hannah Thiem, Ray Rizzo, Hannah Read, Dave Doobinin, and the producer, Paul Loren. At live shows Fireships varies between a full band of musicians from the album with guests to a self-contained solo act, with Andrew performing the songs with various instruments and pedals. Fireships recently toured the U.S. as a full band, with occasional solo shows, with Andrew touring Europe solo.

Going Down Fighting

NYC singer-songwriter Andrew Vladeck conceived of Fireships as he was writing a new record and brought in musician friends to manifest this vision. The songs seemed to fit a theme – using fire and water to fight darkness with light. The 2015 album “Fireships” (End Up Records) is classic yet keenly modern, mixing folk-rock influences and featuring finger-picked electric guitar of American Folk and West African influence, recalling Lou Reed and Paul Simon’s Graceland. Voted Best of 2015 by The New York Music Daily, who call it “imaginatively arranged Americana rock and chamber pop with a fearlessly aware, Dylanesque, populist lyricism.”  Vladeck’s lyrics resonate with the depth and sophistication of the folk tradition; Fireships’ sound is more contemporary – arrangements billow with bass and strident drums, triumphal organs and harmonies.

Fireships’ multi-instrumentalist Lauren Balthrop (Dear Georgiana) lends Emmylou-esque vocals that blend with Andrew’s unvarnished delivery. Rhythm section team Chris Buckridge and Jason Lawrence fuse bass and drums, lending gravitas to songs such as drunken astronaut fantasy “Countdown Time.” Various friends dropped by the studio during recording and drop by live shows for beautiful contributions and writing: Sydney Wayser (Clara Nova), Adam Levy, David Amram, Marika Hughes, Skye Steele, Tim Luntzel, Hannah Thiem, Ray Rizzo, Hannah Read, Dave Doobinin, and the producer, Paul Loren. At live shows Fireships varies between a full band of musicians from the album with guests to a self-contained solo act, with Andrew performing the songs with various instruments and pedals. Fireships recently toured the U.S. as a full band, with occasional solo shows, with Andrew touring Europe solo.

Going Down Fighting

FIRESHIPS