Squirrel Flower - I Was Born Swimming [Limited Edition Rust and Blue Color Vinyl]

Ella O'Connor Williams, also known as Squirrel Flower, was born on August 11, 1996, the hottest day of the year, still inside of a translucent caul sac membrane, surrounded by amniotic fluid. Born with a membrane between her and the rest of the world, yet still very much connected to and dependent on a larger life force. It's this origin story that inspired the name of Squirrel Flower's new album I Was Born Swimming.

Williams comes from a deep-rooted musical family tree. Her grandparents were classical musicians who lived in the Gate Hill Co-op, an artistic cooperative from upstate New York that grew out of Black Mountain College. Ella's father, Jesse Williams, spent most of his life as a touring jazz and blues performer and educator and lends his bass playing to the album (listen for his smooth solo on "Headlights"). Growing up in a family of hard-working musicians fostered a love of music and started Williams down her own musical path. As a child, Williams adopted the alter ego of Squirrel Flower. A couple of years later, she began singing with the Boston Children's Chorus while studying music theory and teaching herself to play the guitar. As a teen, she discovered the Boston DIY and folk music scenes and began writing, recording, and performing her own songs, now returning to the name Squirrel Flower as her chosen moniker. By the time Williams had begun performing live, recording and touring she was already well on her way to the signature artful songcraft heard on the album.

1. I-80
2. Red Shoulder
3. Slapback
4. Eight Hours
5. Headlights
6. Honey, Oh Honey!
7. Seasonal Affective Disorder
8. Home
9. Streetlight Blues
10. Rush
11. Belly of the City
12. I Was Born Swimming