[Cover photo credit to Lauren Michelle Portraits]
Dean Mueller wrote a very personal collection of songs for his 2023 album, Life Ain’t All Roses, his first time stepping into the role of a front man after years of playing with many bands and solo artists. The album was recorded in Nashville with producer Kevin McKendree on keyboards, and members of John Prine’s band, including drummer Kenneth Blevins and bassist Dave Jacques.
Mueller is currently working on his second record, set to be released in the Fall of 2024. Once again, he has chosen to work with long-time members of his hero John Prine’s band, adding Jason Wilber on guitar.
Today, we’re very pleased to premier the first song to be revealed off of that upcoming second album, “Fireflies”, here at Wildfire Music + News. It will arrive this week on May 31st, 2024.
The new track is decidedly up-beat and delves into new sonic territory for Mueller as a songwriter, combining Jazz accents with Americana and Folk influences. A feel-good expression of reminiscence, hopefulness, and love, the song turns on the idea of joining the fireflies to dance with a special person who’s been absent too long. This invitation paints a vivid picture of a beautiful twilit location and the magical feeling of glimmering fireflies. All this draws the audience in to the romantic mood of expectation. Alongside the Jazz feel of the track, tinkling keys and a mood-defining clarinet also create a playful, mellow feeling. An unhurried pace contributes to the reflective feeling of the song, as if combining memories of the past with hopes for the future.
Dean Mueller shares about the track:
I remember growing up in the Midwest, where nights in the backyard or the woods were lit up by thousands of fireflies, a truly amazing and beautiful sight. I love living in Oregon with all its natural beauty and outdoor adventures, but one thing it lacks is fireflies. I sure do miss them, and that got me thinking about writing a song. I wondered, ‘What if the fireflies miss me too?’
It seemed like a fun and playful thought, so using imagery from my past, vacations in the Midwest, and childhood memories, I crafted a really fun song. After recording the initial live performance, the producer, Kevin McKendree, and I thought a clarinet would be the ideal addition, and we were right—it’s perfect. The song has a fun, jazzy vibe, quite different from my other material, yet it fits me perfectly, and I thought my fans would love it. So, we decided to make it the first single release for my second album.
The song “Fireflies” features songwriter Dean Mueller on vocals and acoustic guitar, Kevin McKendree as Producer and on keyboards, Jason Wilber on electric guitar, Dave Jaques on bass, Kenneth Blevins on drums, and Jim Hoke on clarinet.
As a musician, Dean Mueller has recorded and performed with The Duffy Bishop Band, The Insomniacs, and The Julie Amici Band. As a promoter and live event producer, he staged hundreds of performances in the last decade alone.
A resident of Oregon since 1998, Mueller is a fixture of the Portland, Oregon music scene. Even though he has produced many types of shows, his love of classic Blues and Rock comes first.
He comments:
I got to play with Honeyboy Edwards, Louisiana Red, Cephas and Wiggins, all those old-school blues artists. After doing that, I went back to Portland, left my day job (electrical engineering), and decided I could be a musician. I found my home in the blues.
