Behind the stage name Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, often just called Wicca Phase, is the American musician Adam McIlwee, who was previously known as the singer of Tigers Jaw. Emo elements were already recognizable in his music back then, but his songs like the indie hit "Plane Vs. Tank Vs. Submarine" were closer to the style of Get Up Kids and had a more folky to slightly punky undertone.
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WICCA PHASE SPRINGS ETERNAL
Wiccan Phase Springs Eternal
It is therefore all the more fascinating which sound world Adam McIlwee established with Wicca Phase Springs Eternal. His music fuses American gothic style with trap beats, a clear affection for Morrissey and an emotionality that can also be found in genre greats like Lil Peep.
The name Wicca Phase Springs Eternal is rightly considered promising. An example of this is his involvement in the impressive songwriter Ethel Cain's debut EP "Inbred", on which he performed the song "God's Country" together with her. He is also known for co-founding the emo-rap collective GothBoiClique and for his darkly brilliant albums such as 2019's 'Suffer On', which also features his most successful song to date, 'Rest'.
An album of the same name was recently released in early June: "Wicca Phase Springs Eternal" combines a dozen small masterpieces that are not quite as dark as his previous work "Suffer On". McIlwee explains this shift: "'Suffer On' and the music I was making at the time was very emotional and intense. At times I felt like I was overtaxing the listener and myself. So I started to over thinking about the beginnings of Wicca Phase and how I created my sound world. Back then I just tried everything and saw what worked, but now, with ten years more experience in songwriting, I wanted to explore the depth of Wicca Phase further. I didn't want to stay on the surface."
He has impressively achieved this goal. While the opener and title track of the album "Wicca Phase Spring Eternal" still combines elements of emo, trap and gothic, influences from the British folk of the 60s and 70s can also be found later. Adam McIlwee names bands like Fairport Convention and Pentangle as clear sources of inspiration. Of particular note is the folk duet with Zola Jesus, "Mystery I'm Tied To You".
The new songs and some older pieces can be experienced at an exclusive live show at Cassiopeia in Berlin early next year. Support is provided by British artist Care Charmer, who has since joined the hardcore band Turnstile as a guitarist. This event offers a rare opportunity to see this intense, versatile and always mysterious artist on stage in Germany.
