Mihali:
For Mihali, music behaves much like a living being. It grows, it matures, and it changes with a sentient consciousness and with whims of its own. The Vermont-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of rock outfit Twiddle closely follows reggae’s evolutionary ebbs and flows, and has funneled that enthusiasm into his newest record, Effection [July 22, 2022 via Ineffable Records]. The ten-track body of work intertwines reggae spirit, fluid soundscape architecture, and invigorating mantras meant to be chanted aloud in a packed venue. 

Effection, a word meaning creation, is a fitting name for a project produced remotely with the help of longtime friend and collaborator Nathan Aurora. Working together from afar, the two traded demos, lyrics, bass lines, piano riffs, and guitar tracks back and forth before finally launching the new work with the release of “Maplewood,” Effection’s debut single. “Nathan is a genius,” Mihali said of the producer known for his guitar work in Iya Terra.

Following “Maplewood'' came the release of “The Greater Escape” (featuring reggae rock bands The Movement and The Elovaters), the upbeat and triumphant “Living is The Lesson” (featuring reggae pop group, Iration), and now the horn-laden track “Effection” (featuring Jacob Hemphill of the Grammy-Award winning reggae group SOJA). “Reggae has always been a passion of mine,” reflects Mihali, “and I hope this record really embodies its spirit.”

When all is said and done, Mihali’s music continues to transform with him. “On this record, I tried not to go super heavy or deep on the emotional side of things. Instead, there is a lot of happiness and hope on Effection. I’m incredibly proud and excited to be releasing this music, and as always, evolving with it.”