Music
Press
http://theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNews/view.bg?articleid=1012334 - Boston Herald
"I’m going to go ahead and recommend this CD to those who like their rock music poetic, their bodies multi-pierced, and their skies cloudy." - Jennifer Layton - Indie-Music.com
"...winners of first-round competition at the local Emergenza Festival, A Wish For Fire continues to solidify themselves as a formidable band on the Boston scene. The band’s new self-titled CD illustrates a group straying from typical musical traditions by creating what they call "romantic pop."
The group’s sound meanders and nearly defies conventional structure and the vocals are unlike anything likely to be found on the radio. There is a trace of psychedelic rock in the composition with both the sound and arrangement following more of a feeling than any set (or expected) pattern. The lyrics are complex and full of disheartening yearning. The music and vocals combine to make an unmistakeable mood indicative of the grayish/black album cover.
It would be difficult to miss a live performance in Cambridge. (Sean G.)
- Digital Artifact
A WISH FOR FIRE
A Wish For Fire
11 songs
With a broad, sweeping opening similar to Sunny Day Real Estate's How It Feels To Be Something On, A Wish For Fire opens the floodgates, unleashing a wash of drop-D guitar and soaring vocals. The non-verbal vocals (lots off ooo-ooo's) are right on, and make the vocals seem less like lyrics and more like another instrument. The drumbeat in "When it's All Said and Done" is funky without sounding out of place amid a minor riff and gothic, Peter Murphy type vocals---or maybe more like the singer from Spacehog. Swirling vocal overdubs give one the feeling of a heavy Queen influence as well---not to mention they have a song called "Keep Yourself Alive," although this one sounds like a cross between Mogwai and I don't know what, the Counting Crows maybe, via The Cure? An excellent effort, a unified vision, a strong record. (Jesse Thomas) - The Noise
"Raw and powerful, yet with a canny knack for melody is a great way to describe this band. Owen Beane’s vocal approach and sense of melody are easily reminiscent of Matthew Bellamy from Muse. The band hits hard, while maintaining a radio ready modern rock ethic, complete with juicy guitar riffs, meaty hooks, and skillfully pounded percussive rhythms. This EP is skillfully produced and hopes to push all the right buttons. This will be in my laptop for some time to come."
The Noise - October 2007 - The Noise
"AWFF turned a bunch of shamrock & sombrero-adorned (and possibly breakdancing??) green - beer crazed miscreants into a captive crowd friday night. Now's that's saying something.
You guys rule." - Kate
"Hey! My husband and I saw you guys on St Patty's @ Bills Bar. We just happened to be in the area and wanted to check out the bar, and wow... it was so awesome to see a wicked rocking live band!!!... I think you guys are very tight as a band, and have tremendous power. Good luck to ya's!! The drummer also kicks ass. :-)
... It's a pleasure to be aboard!
I hope to catch you guys again."
-Tree
"You guys were unreal on Friday night! Definitely stepped up and played a great show."
- Tremulant - myspace
"A Wish For Fire catches Tears For Fears turning the corner with early Rolling Stones in this high-energy minimalist CD nearing shoegazer proportion. 1960's acid rock gets laced with lethargic middle eastern tunings and themes. Turn your Soundgarden LP from 33-1/3 down to 16 and you'll hear the fresh treatment of musical ideas spoken by the musicians of A Wish For Fire.
There's plenty of thought put into this music, and I particularly like Nick Zampiello and Marc Schleicher's center-point background mike-ing of Owen Beane's vocals on many of the songs. His voice soars majestically. A Wish For Fire's collection prepares a wonderful steambath of sound for the listener to slip into with a cool pilsener in the hand ... the afternoon casually slips by ... the mind relaxes ... the soul awakens. "
© 2003 dan troxell, YourSound.com - YourSound.com
Discography
Albums:
A Wish For Fire - Self Titled (July 2003) LP
Passers By - (July 2005) EP
Skeleton Key - (August 2007) EP
A Wish For Fire has received regular spins on WFNX's New England product show (Sunday's 10-11pm). Songs are available for listening at awishforfire.com and their myspace page: myspace.com/awishforfire
Other airplay:
WFNX 101.7 FM (Lynn/Boston)
WBCN 104.1 FM (Boston)
WAFF 107.3 (Worcester/Boston)
WBRS 100.1 FM (Waltham, MA)
WMBR 88.1 FM (Cambridge, MA)
WMFO 91.5FM (Medford, MA)
WUMD 89.3 (Dartmouth, MA)
WRBB 104.9 FM (Boston, MA)
WBOS-HD2 92.9-2 (Boston, MA)
Photos
Bio
A Wish For Fire takes a minimilist approach to the music, focusing on song structure, varied textures and beauty in simplicity. Each member comes from a different school of musical thought and offers a nuance of their own. They bring years of stage and studio experience to A Wish For Fire resulting in a varied and unique, yet seasoned approach to the project. The band's self-titled debut was released in July of 2003 achieving critcial success.
A Wish For Fire recently went from a three piece to a four piece band with the addition of sep on second guitar. With new instrumentation, they layer melodies to create multi-textured sounds ranging from simple and elegant to a full on sonic assault. The band's eclectic influences include everything from Blues, to Motown and back to Psychedelic Rock.
Powerful drumming and raw, understated riffs lead the charge with this lineup. They defy conventional structure and blend sometimes smooth, sometimes gritty vocals that are unlike anything likely to be found on the radio. There is a trace of psychedelic and classic rock in the composition with both the sound and arrangement following more of a feeling than any set (or expected) pattern. The lyrics are complex and full of disheartening yearning. The music and vocals combine to make an unmistakable mood unlike anything out there.
A Wish For Fire has been around for four years and they have played numerous shows in the New England area.
Their new album Skeleton Key released in August 2007 reflects 2 years of discovery and the ultimate culmination of the band's original intended concept. It is available for download on iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster and emusic.
Links
