Bio

            Photo: Jennifer MacFarlane

NYC-born and based singer-songwriter Andrew Vladeck chose the Fireships moniker when he realized the songs he was writing for a new record fit a theme – using fire and water to fight darkness with light. 2015’s Fireships (End Up Records) is classic yet keenly modern, mixing choice folk-rock spanning decades recalling Lou Reed, Paul Simon’s Graceland, and Deer Tick. The New York Music Daily calls it “imaginatively arranged Americana rock and chamber pop with a fearlessly aware, Dylanesque, populist lyricism" (Voted Best of 2015). 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.

Andrew Vladeck / Fireships performs both as a self-contained solo act and with a full band. This past year the tours inluded a full band for the Eastern Half of the US, a three-piece for the West Coast, and a solo tour of Europe.

On tour and on the record, 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, and various friends drop by the studio and 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. 

The Fireships album has been lauded by The Huffington Post, Guitar World, Daytrotter, Popmatters and others. Andrew Vladeck music has won awards from Int’l Songwriting Competition (First Place), the IMAs, GSAC, and Billboard. Vladeck is now back from tour and writing songs for what will become the next phase of the journey.