‘The Traveler’ marks a new exploration in the works of prolific Ohio singer-songwriter/guitarist, Zack Fletcher. It is the first in a new collection called “Ohio Reveries,” songs inspired by his home and the places it has taken him.
Each of the five new tracks will be released as singles in the latter half of 2021 with the fullcollection and alternate versions to follow.
Fletcher’s new release follows his classical-inspired acoustic instrumental collection, “Vignettes” (2020), and his ambitious alt-folk/rock epic Moths in the Attic (2019), released under the same name. The latter received praise from indie press outlets who called the Moths in the Attic debut “beautiful,” “captivating,” and “pristinely executed.”
The album was produced independently in his hometown of Bowling Green, OH at DLT Studios and was mastered at Jack White’s Third Man Records in Detroit. A portion of all Moths in the Attic album sales continues to go to local affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Fletcher’s return with ‘The Traveler’ signals a shift in music released under his own name. Ohio Reveries was recorded in Canfield, Ohio, at Court Street Recording.
Under the direction of producer Michael Estok, each recording features stunning clarity and arrangements. The collection fluidly merges his previous solo acoustic work with the larger ensemble sensibilities of his Moths in the Attic material.
‘The Traveler’ has been in Fletcher’s repertoire for several years. An early version first appeared as an entry for Guitar Center’s Singer-Songwriter contest where
the song and accompanying live performance video finished 17th in overall votes out of more than 7,000 entrants. After reworking it years later, Fletcher found the folk ballad was the perfect opening mission statement for his new Ohio Reveries collection.
The song explores themes of loss and living for today. It came about following the sudden passing of a few friends and acquaintances within a short period of time. Fletcher was struck by how loved and full of life these individuals had been. ‘The Traveler’ takes the opportunity to reflect on life’s fragility, and encourages the listener to be present in the here and now, and if for nothing else, live for those who no longer can.
