A timely super-moon and lunar eclipse ushers in the third single from Squirrel Flower's sophomore release Planet (i), arriving June 25. "Flames and Flat Tires" follows previous tracks "I'll Go Running" & "Hurt A Fly". If the latter showed Ella Willams' determination to move and change on her own terms then “Flames and Flat Tires” drives this onward motion in a bright wave of sound, as she compares her body to a burning car on a 4am joyride, the city crumbling behind her. 

“I wrote ‘Flames & Flat Tires’ on my second day of quarantine in Bristol, England ahead of recording. It was late August, hot, I was staying in a place that opened onto a party street, and every night I stayed up listening to the sounds of the revelers and the birds squawking and screaming until 6am, then all day watched people hanging laundry in their backyards through my kitchen window. This was one of those tunes that just falls out."

The accompanying music video was directed by Lua Borges, who elaborates: “This video is encased by the imagery of broken parts and abandonment. Objects that have become useless. Physical matter that looks so small inside our world. It gives life to an internal feeling of self-doubt and uncertainty, which the song approaches so intently. But "Flames and Flat Tires" is also about fighting to overcome that, and staying present fully. In a way, everything that gets discarded needs to immediately use its strength of survival. Even when things get broken down they continue to exist forever. They are also fighting to survive. Metal scraps constantly battling the rust from taking over, or plastic waste that can challenge the most powerful decomposers. It’s the law of nature: everyone wants to survive. The most powerful instinct.” Watch below.

Also announcing today is a set of album release shows taking place in Ella's new home of Chicago at Sleeping Village on Saturday, June 26. There will be early & late distanced patio shows with limited tickets available – tickets on-sale Friday @ 12pm CT. 

  • 06/25 - Rough Trade - Instagram Livestream
  • 06/26 - Chicago, IL @ Sleeping Village - Album Release (Early & Late shows)
  • 09/15 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse $
  • 09/16 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle $
  • 09/17 - Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar $
  • 09/18 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer $
  • 09/19 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club $
  • 09/21 - Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel $
  • 09/22 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club $
  • 09/23 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club $
  • 09/25 - Montreal, Quebec @ Fairmount Theatre $
  • 09/26 - Toronto, Ontario @ Phoenix Concert Theatre $
  • 09/28 - Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop $
  • 09/29 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall $
  • 10/01 - Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom $

$ w/ Soccer Mommy