As the 2024 election cycle heats up, Dan Lowe’s powerful single “Flame” is once again capturing the political zeitgeist.
The single was initially released during the tumultuous 2020 elections, and has re-ignited interest providing that it has an enduring relevance in today’s highly polarized political landscape.
From the outset, “Flame” commands attention with its aggressive guitar riffs and Lowe’s impassioned vocals. The song has an urgency about it and draws listeners in to its fervent narrative.
Dan Lowe recently gave a glimpse into the creative process behind the song, offering insight into how he and co-Producer Dean Baskerville, affectionately known as “Mr. Wizard,” crafted the track.
It started out much like Lowe’s earlier work on “No Running From The Storm“, but with a twist. Wanting to expand their sound, Lowe brought in cellist Skip vonKuske, whose triple-tracked cello added a haunting depth, and drummer Jeramy Burchett, who laid down the foundation with a powerful rhythm.
The project then took an unexpected turn when Lowe moved to Nashville and Baskerville relocated to Texas. Despite the distance, they adapted to remote collaboration, embracing the challenges of modern production.
One of the song’s standout features is the background vocals near the end. Typically, Lowe’s background vocals are placeholders, eventually replaced by other voices. But this time his multi-layered “choir-of-one” delivered exactly the classical men’s chorus vibe he was aiming for, so it stayed in the final mix.
After Lowe recorded his guitar overdubs and edited the background vocals, he sent the tracks to Baskerville, who added a piano line that wasn’t part of the original plan. The surprise addition brought a new dimension to the song. Lowe compared Baskerville’s role to that of George Martin with The Beatles, praising how he could take rough ideas and turn them into something extraordinary.
The final mix was hashed out over Zoom, with Lowe and Baskerville fine-tuning the track until it was just right. After all the time and effort, “Flame” emerged as a powerful, well-crafted song.
And it remains strikingly pertinent as it addresses ongoing political divisions and the lingering influence of figures like Donald Trump. Lowe’s biting lyrics resonate in a world still grappling with deep – seated frustrations and societal fractures.
Hailing from Alaska, Dan Lowe takes inspiration from an eclectic mix of genres as well as legendary artists such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell. This diverse set of influences is evident as his ability to blend rock, folk, jazz, country, R&B, and blues into a cohesive and timeless sound.
Following a stroke, he overcame the challenge of re-learning music. His dedication has not gone unnoticed, and he has earned accolades such as Portland’s Performing Songwriter of the Year as well as opportunities to feature his work in prominent industry seminars.
Currently, Dan Lowe & The Skeletal Remains continue to perform live and seek commercial placements, “Flame” stands out as a cultural moment that not only captures the spirit of its original release but also adapts to the current climate, proving some flames are too strong to be easily extinguished.
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