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Aaron Abel’s Fireflies: A Raw, One-Take Rock ‘n’ Roll Masterpiece Full of Heart


Aaron Abel  - The Cage, a music blog powered by Cage Riot
Photo provided by: Aaron Abel

By: Staff


Aaron Abel Drops Heartfelt Single "Fireflies" – A Soulful Journey Through Life's Highs and Lows


We had a chance to check out the artist Aaron Abel and their song "Fireflies," and when we listened to the message and story of this track, it was clear that it's based on the reality of life. It covers everything from the happiness of a beautiful day outside to the loss of a loved one. When we think about all the things in life that shape who we are and what defines our future, we found the message of this song to be extremely unique and beautiful. It truly sums up the age-old question, "Does art imitate life?" In this case, this song is art inspired by the reality of life.


There are days when you’re happy, days when you’re sad, and those days when it feels like the world is going to cave in on you, but we press on, enjoy life, and bounce back from the difficult times. With such an incredible topic and message, we thought Aaron Abel was a true pioneer and frontrunner in this lyrical department.


Now, Aaron Abel rolling all that into a beautiful musical arrangement with a happy, upbeat tone, made us truly excited by this song. Additionally, with a tremendous panel of artists, we thought it was an absolutely terrific song, performed in a beautiful fashion. Learning that this track was recorded in one take, completely unedited and live from start to finish with these four incredible musicians playing together, was truly impressive.


This song brings a great feeling, and we must point out that the whole band did a terrific job. But we’re big fans of the organ, and we think adding that was like the icing on the cake. With its perfect sing-along style for concerts, Aaron Abel really delivers a beautiful rock 'n' roll performance. Not only does it showcase vocal power and control, but also a soft, whisper-like ability. 


When you hear the lyrics:


 “Pushing daisies, but I’m on my feet. I remember crying on my knees, that’s how life goes, I guess,” 


-you can begin to measure the huge impact those words will have on listeners. 


This song is a true testament to how emotions can transfer through music in a beautiful and amazing way when delivered by Aaron Abel.


Aaron Abel's latest release, Fireflies, captures the essence of life's unpredictable journey. With its touching lyrics and upbeat rock 'n' roll vibe, this song seamlessly moves from moments of joy to the depths of loss, reminding us all to push through the tough times. The band's raw, one-take performance adds a level of authenticity rarely seen, and the organ melody is a standout, tying the whole track together beautifully. Aaron Abel proves that they’re pioneers in the lyrical and musical space, delivering a song that’s not just heard but truly felt.


Don’t miss out! Stream Fireflies now and experience the emotion, power, and heart of this incredible track. Join the conversation and let Aaron Abel’s music inspire you!


Wait… there's more!


We had the chance to catch up with Aaron Abel for an exclusive interview in "The Cage" Music Blog.


Here’s how it went:


Begin Interview


Hello Aaron Abel, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview! We’ve had a blast diving into your music and exploring your work, and now we’re even more excited to learn more about you, both as an artist, and as a person.


How would you describe your musical style to someone who's never heard your music before?

pop, y’allternative, southern gothic. southern-tinged indie rock/pop/folk. like if The 1975 was from Appalachia.



The lyrics in your latest song take listeners through a rollercoaster of emotions, from happy memories to the heartbreak of losing someone to suicide. How did you approach writing such a diverse range of feelings in one song?

I wouldn’t say it’s something that was planned in advance. I was going for a feeling of nostalgia, bittersweetness, like the end of summer. I had a summer when I was 14 during which I had my first kiss (with a girl who turned out to be lesbian) and lost a friend to suicide and drew from those experiences, among others, when writing this song.



When you’re writing lyrics that touch on deeply personal subjects, like loss or grief, how do you make sure it still connects with listeners on a universal level?

Lyrically, I think you have to walk a line between making it obvious and leaving it ambiguous. You want what happened to be clear enough to the listener but left with enough space that so they can fill in the blanks, so to speak. People love art to which they relate and connect. You have to allow room for that connection and their interpretation. Everyone relates differently to every piece of art, that’s part of what makes it beautiful!



What do you hope your listeners take away from the emotional journey in your music, especially in songs that deal with such raw topics like love and loss?

I hope they take away that they are seen, understood, not alone. I hope they’re able to connect with the emotion and feel some sense of release. Life can be hard.



What role does each instrument play in shaping the sound of your music? Does one instrument guide the process more than others?

Recently I have been playing a lot of guitar! It’s mostly guitar guiding my music and I’m a baby keys player (learning keys has been a lot of fun). My primary instrument is actually bass though.



Where do you usually work on your music? Is there a particular space that inspires you or where you feel most creative?

My house in LA!! My room or the music room. I live in a beautiful 100 year old Spanish style house with a wonderful garden, so it’s super creative-friendly. Central Virginia though too, I would say.



What was the hardest part of bringing this project from concept to completion?

This is my first “real” single, so learning all of the things that go into recording, mixing, and releasing a single song professionally was HARD. Super valuable though!



Is there any particular phase of creating music that’s especially stressful for you?

Recording vocals is stressful! Release stuff can be stressful as well. Lots of tiny little things you need to do (write pitch, make and upload canvas, upload lyrics, etc.), and a few big things (make video content etc.).



With so much technology involved in music today, do you feel it enhances or complicates the creative process?

I personally believe that humans + technology > humans or technology. The computer changed music in a big way and we ended up with all kinds of amazing electronic music. I think humans will find cool and creative ways to use new technology to make art.



How do you feel about social media in relation to music? Do you embrace it or find it overwhelming?

I view it as part of the game. If you want to be an artist at a professional level, you need it. But every job has its bullshit. I actually don’t even think it’s bullshit, though, I kind of enjoy it. I treat it as an extension of my artistry. It’s an opportunity to be creative in a visual way to accompany my music.



If you could choose three artists or bands to join you on tour, who would they be?

Oh man. I am a big fan of the capital-S Songwriter. Maybe like Tyler Childers, The Beths, Jensen McRae? Lucy Dacus? Chris Stapleton? Too many to name.



What’s one of the most inspiring things a fan has ever said to you about your music?

some guy on TikTok was like “this is amazing how does it only have 15 likes.” that has been keeping me going for a few weeks now



Do you think where you grew up has influenced the music you create now? How do your roots show up in your work?

Absolutely. I grew up and spent the first 25 years of my life in Virginia. I went to school in central Virginia. My dad has spent his entire life in Virginia. My music draws heavily from the Appalachian folk tradition found in the Virginias, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky. I spent a lot of time in the American south growing up so naturally wound up with a lot of soul, southern rock, and blues influences.



What can fans look forward to in terms of upcoming projects? Any details you can share about what's next?

I’m releasing a series of singles! Next one, “Waking Life,” comes out November 22, 2024. More to come in the immediate future :)



End Interview


We’re happy to have shared Aaron Abel’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.

Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!





Check out this latest release and listen to more of Aaron Abel on Spotify









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