Fires of Denmark: Mixtape I Review
Review by: Sara Liebl, Writer @larasiebl
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Released under the name Fires of Denmark, Fires of Denmark: Volume I is a collaboration between Michael Terrill (production, vocals, keys, bass, synth) and other Minnesota songwriters. Each song on Fires of Denmark: Volume I was written by a different artist. The EP features songs by Jeremy Jewell (Hair of the Dog) James Bracken (Echo Messenger) Annie Enneking (Annie and the Bang Bang) Colin Scharf (Good Night Gold Dust) and John Sievers (Loud Mouth Brass). The songs span many genres, and Michael managed to weave them together into a comprehensive mixtape by utilizing what he considers to be his signature “surrealist sound.”
The mixtape jumps right out of the gate, opening with “Can’t Stop Me” by Jeremey Jewell. The song needs no introduction, with the vocals coming in within the first four seconds of the track. This catchy synth-pop tune is the perfect opener, capturing the listener’s attention and interest immediately. “Can’t Stop Me” only lets up at the end, where the dynamic drops and the chorus is whispered, then softly sung during the outro.
Michael has no limits when it comes to his content, and is constantly coming up with new material and collaborating with new artists - as a self described "compulsive writer," his personal record is writing 400 songs in a single year. He expanded on his creative process by mentioning a concept Brian Eno shared with bandmate David Byrne; don't think of songs as architecture, think of it like gardening. Plant your seeds and see what grows. When writing a song, Michael asks each artist for three adjectives and a color they associate with their song. Although he does not have Synesthesia, he strongly associates songs with color. "Sounds have colors in a sense," he explained, "you know what a gold sounds like, how a black song or firey red songs sound, you know?"
Next up on the mixtape is the incredibly talented Annie Enneking’s contribution, with all the instruments, with the exception of the acoustic guitar played by Michael, Annie lends “Pony” her smooth and expressive vocals to round the track out perfectly. The song as a whole has a dark, almost haunting tone to it, with the instruments sitting in a lower register, creating an ominous effect. The use of sustained chords on synth adds an atmospheric layer. The consistent beat and clapping drive the song forward, never letting up and adding to the tension of the track. Droning 808s appear throughout, rounding the sound out. Though this question “wasn't fair” - he did admit Annie’s track is his personal favorite on the mixtape.
Michael describes his signature sound as a “surrealist sound”. “We have no rules or limitations on what we actually can do besides what we produce,” he explained. He aims to create a cinematic sound and subconsciously create dream-like soundscapes, with no limitations. Michael definitely pulls his signature sound off well, as evidenced in both this mixtape and the music he has released with his full band, Fires of Denmark.
The EP wraps up with “Sun and the Moon'' by John Sievers, a song I was especially interested in hearing knowing John plays with a brass band. The influence of that genre is made known instantly, featuring jazz and brass staples, a swung drum beat featuring and the ride cymbal. The opening has a bit of a hip hop feel to it with carefully placed rhythmic lyrics, but also manages to capture a somewhat psychedelic effect through the use of synthesizer. John plays his trombone on the track as well, adding an aspect one may not have initially expected. The song transitions to more of an indie pop feel, with the drum beat changing to a standard straight rock beat. A peppy 808 bass line adds a very groovy aspect to the overall feel of “Sun and the Moon.” The song transitions once more near the end into a more relaxed sound with somewhat of a contemplative feel, supported by simple piano chords and swelling trombone harmonies matched by soft and almost distant vocals.
Closing Thoughts:
Does Michael think cereal is a soup - no (0/10)
Production Quality - 10/10
Am I determined to work with Michael in the future? - yes, a thousand times yes
Watch Sara Liebl’s full interview with Mike from Fires of Denmark on our Patreon.
