Quells
“Smoke Dance” by Quells
Recorded by Christian Paul Philippi
Teaser Video & Visuals by Elaine Smith
2023 by Dale Peterson
Quells is the project of singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Adam Fitzgerald of Shady Groves, The Kodaks, Moon Lake and Ojala. From Detroit, formerly based in Edinburgh & Colorado.
Diving into the eclectic realms of ambient indie, dreamy shoegaze, dance rock, folk pop, and beyond, Quells aspires to the limitless nature of genre-hopping visionaries such as Bent, Washed Out, Devendra Banhart, or Broken Social Scene.
Fitzgerald’s music is a tapestry woven with threads of post-punk energy, R&B soul, elemental spaciness, and jazz intricacy. Echoing the experimental spirit of The Velvet Underground while blending the hypnotic rhythms of MGMT with the introspective depth of Beach Fossils and Slowdive, Quells creates soundscapes that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Exploring themes of life, love, and the poignant whispers of loss, Fitzgerald’s songs are journeys through existential musings, esoterica, romance, and death. Quells’ artistry goes beyond mere melody; it's a call to empathy, a bridge to connect with others in shared human experience. Every track is an invitation to explore the depths of consciousness and the beauty of understanding. For listeners who seek to feel, question, and connect, Quells’ music is an odyssey into the heart of what it means to be human.
PRESS:
Where The Music Meets - Quells “Pale Moonlight”
We All Want Someone to Shout For - Quells “Pale Moonlight”
Indie Boulevard - INTERVIEW
Phonograph Me - Quells “Pale Moonlight”
Indie Italia - Quells “Pale Moonlight”
MP3 Hugger - Indie Allure - Quells “Pale Moonlight”
We All Want Someone to Shout For - Quells “Smoke Dance”
R+mas - Quells presenta el sencillo «Pale Moonlight» (EE.UU)
Indie For Bunnies - Quells “Pale Moonlight”
Puddlegum - Shady Groves “Smoulder” Video
Warmer Climes Mixtape
at the Detroit Athletic Club
Quells
Adam Fitzgerald
Underflow Records
Shady Groves
Moon Lake
Ojala
The Kodaks
Adam Fitzgerald is a writer, DJ, and musician from Michigan. Born and raised outside of Flint, Fitzgerald has also lived in Nashville, then Detroit for many years before relocating to Edinburgh, Scotland. After returning to the US from the UK, Fitzgerald landed temporarily in Traverse City, Michigan before relocating again to Denver, Colorado. Adam has worked as a teacher, a copywriter, an editor and a journalist. He is the founder of Underflow Records, a cofounder of the underground independent arts festival Whateverfest in Detroit and also a founding member and singer-songwriter of indie “genre chameleons” Shady Groves. He has produced music with several different projects and artists over the years, including The Kodaks, Moon Lake and Ojala. A plant-based entrepreneur, Fitzgerald shares his passion for art, education and cats with the world through his writing and teaching.
on Mackinac Island
“Dreamy mash of echoing vocals, modest drums, and haunting harmonies. The guitar is subtle yet powerful, creating a warm space within the song that wraps your mind in nostalgia. This sound is open and airy, with an emptiness that complements their earthy and reflective sound.”
“Shady Groves are genre chameleons. Although their albums bounce around from indie rock to shoegaze, dream pop to folk, they manage to stay consistently charming and confident in their sound.”
in Ireland
“There are times when it’s difficult to pinpoint a band to a genre or group of genres; Shady Groves is certainly one these bands. Their eclectic sounds cross 60s influences with light funk, dream pop flavors, tastes of folk, and indie pop sounds. This is a band interested in melding sounds together.”
in Ireland
rehearsing & recording with Shady Groves
on the Isle of Capri in Italy
Playing in Flint, Michigan with Shady Groves
at Powerscourt in Ireland
Shooting the “Hourglass” video by Shady Groves in Rochester, MI with Elaine Smith
Playing live with Shady Groves at The Crofoot opening for Dream Wife & Sunflower Bean
Playing live with The Kodaks at the Magic Stick in Detroit opening for Bear Hands
Playing live with The Kodaks at a Warehouse Party in Detroit
