"With its scuzzy guitar and gentle percussion, it’s the dreamy, discombobulating sound of Lana Del Rey cosplaying Pavement. Her forthcoming debut album, I Was Born Swimming, creates a feeling of intoxicating languor.” - The Guardian

"Glorious... vulnerable, relatable, and hauntingly visceral indie rock that is alternately soaring and devastating." - Gorilla vs. Bear

"I Was Born Swimming [is] a collection of strong-willed, country-indebted songs that never veer from their tender core." - The FADER

"Her debut album I Was Born Swimming is built from flashes of her past with moody country tracks that detail tatters of lost relationships and crunchy rock songs that document her growing fortitude." - Stereogum

"Her lovely, folk-toned voice stretches out over gravelly guitar and steel guitar, suggesting her own new twist on the kind of small town country-punk Uncle Tupelo invented on No Depression.” - Rolling Stone

"I Was Born Swimming has a starkness that is cut through by expansive poeticism and Williams' encompassing, dignified vocals." - Exclaim!

"Ella O’Connor Williams - recorded her new album as simply as possible, with the stark arrangements lending fresh intensity to her work." - CLASH

Congratulations Ella on a phenomenal debut album! I Was Born Swimming is out worldwide today. Stream in full now. Squirrel Flower’s music is ethereal and warm, gushing with emotional depth that the listener can step into like a warm bath. The band on I Was Born Swimming plays with delicate intention, keeping the arrangements natural and light. The album was tracked live, with few overdubs, at The Rare Book Room Studio in New York City with producer Gabe Wax (Adrienne Lenker, Palehound, Cass McCombs). The musicians were selected by Wax and folded themselves into the songs effortlessly. At the heart of the album lives Williams’ massive, haunted vibrating voice and melancholic, soulful guitar playing. Throughout the 12 songs, landscapes change and relationships shift. The album’s lyrics feel like effortless expressions of exactly the way it feels to change — abstract, sad and hopeful. Williams eventually returns to the image of her in the sac; born swimming, knowing how to exist, love herself, and not needing anyone else to do it for her.

Head to the Polyvinyl Store to order a limited edition first pressing Early Bird on Clear Teal w/ White Smoke (pictured above) and get a bonus 7” Flexi, featuring a gut-wrenching cover of Bruce Springsteen’s "Tougher Than the Rest.” Don't forget the sweetest hat & sunnies.

This Spring Squirrel Flower will tour across North American with Why Bonnie & Cedric Noel, including a stop at SXSW. Dates below, tickets onsale now.

  • 01/31 - Brighton, UK @ Resident Records
  • 02/01 - Bristol, UK @ Friendly Records
  • 02/02 - Leeds, UK @ Jumbo Records
  • 02/04 - Diksmuide, Belgium @ 4AD * [SOLD OUT]
  • 02/05 - Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje *
  • 02/06 - Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique *
  • 02/07 - London, UK @ Omeara *
  • 02/08 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bitterzoet * [SOLD OUT]
  • 02/10 - Berlin, Germany @ Baumhaus Bar
  • 03/05 - Freeport, ME @ Cadenza
  • 03/06 - Middletown, CT @ Mac 650 Art Gallery #
  • 03/07 - Boston, MA @ Great Scott #
  • 03/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Upstairs #
  • 03/11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade #
  • 03/13 - Washington, DC @ Songbyrd #
  • 03/23 - Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge $
  • 03/25 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo $
  • 03/26 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill $
  • 03/28 - Seattle, WA @ Barboza $
  • 03/29 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge $
  • 03/31 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court $
  • 04/02 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge $
  • 04/04 - Iowa City, IA @ Mission Creek Festival
  • 04/06 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry $
  • 04/07 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas $
  • 04/08 - Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s $
  • 04/10 - Toronto, ON @ Drake Hotel #
  • 04/11 - Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo #

* w/ Strand of Oaks, # w/ Cedric Noel, $ w/ Why Bonnie