Qwill: "Falling"
As smoke clears in the historic witch-town of Massachusetts, from an attic converted music studio the light of an Akai sampler glows to the beat of a true musical soldier of the Boston arts scene. He’s been called the “Bon Iver of Salem" and if you have had anything to do with the Massachusetts or New Hampshire live music landscape you know who he is. Dusty Groove America has rightly said,”He has a sound unlike anyone.” As an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, he’s worked with some of the greats such as Richie Havens. If you know him you know him. Otherwise, for those unacquainted: Ladies and Gentleman meet Jesse Ciarmataro, known to fans and other artists alike by his stage name, Qwill.
Having performed on the north east club and festival circuits for over two decades, Jesse Ciarmataro (aka Qwill) has developed a dedicated following of musicians, producers, and music lovers alike for his alluring fusion, versatility and collaborative tendencies. Jazz, Hip-hop, and Singer-Songwriting are his foundation, Boston is his roots and Soulful Indie-Electronic is his sound. He’s a hybrid strain of Singer-Songwriter Producer all about growing, evolving, sharing, and connecting while paying tribute to the lineage(the roots of the music). Whether singing with Ryan Montbleau’s band, performing a Lo-Fi laced Downtempo DJ Set to a packed club, or hitting the road for an intimate venue tour with his acoustic roots band, Wood & Bone, Qwill never ceases to captivate an audience with his sophisticated taste. “Playing in other peoples bands, doing studio work….I feel like that makes up who I am as an artist. In the sense of informing me as a producer to bring in more elements and make it diversified.” Ciarmataro says.
As the winner of the John Lennon Songwriting contest in the Jazz Category years back, Ciarmataro has dominated his hometown of Salem, MA as a musical poster-child for the town. Ciarmataro plays DJ sets in the street for the biggest holiday(Halloween) and headlines countless shows at one of his favorite venues: OPUS underground. He is known for his complex vocabulary of sound design and massive catalog of beats and live sets. Ciarmataro also gives back by leading workshops for producers at the local coffee shop, Front Street Coffee House and by organizing the Multi-Medium, Artistic Collaborative series, “Variance” at OPUS.
His main project, Qwill, has a complex aesthetic profile. As a visual artist himself, he designs most of his own artwork and he has a real tasteful eye. He’s toured the U.S as well as Europe and has even shared the stage with The Fray. Founder of Boston based Record Label Lit Honey Productions, Dan Searl says,”There is really no other artist on the Boston scene like Jesse. When you go to a Qwill show you never know what he may show up with. He may bring a banjo and an APC40, show up with a live band and an ES-335, or he may bring a real Rhodes EP and have a special guest on every song. He’s the real deal and he’s not afraid to pick up a tambourine and lay down soulful vocals. He always makes every performance a special experience and his live fans love him for his unpredictability.”
You could easily say he is ahead of his time even. Qwill’s 2011 Ep, “Hope” could be something that you hear on an electronic playlist this year in 2021. Also his song, “Phoenix” is an anthem to his fans and is one of his top tracks on streaming networks.
Qwill's new single, “Falling” was just released on his label Simple Truth Records. This new track is a great example of what Ciarmataro does best. “Falling” begins with a syncopated lo-fi violin sound that emulates the sound of a guitar or uke. As tasty, chill, and ambient sounds fire off the programmed drums drop with a hard hitting crossover groove somewhere between breakbeat, dancehall and hip-hop to then bring in his vocals which compliment the beat perfectly. The lead vocals ring with a beautiful lyrical simplicity yet stripped down feel. The single also features a verse by local Boston rapper, Esoteric and includes a B-side: an acoustic rendition of the song by Wood & Bone.
Have a listen and connect with Qwill on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/qwillmusic/
