Garth Adams’ “Three Fires” feels like a release shaped by experience, confidence, and a genuine love of writing songs. After years of playing music, touring, and recording, Adam has arrived at a point where he can focus fully on his own material, and that sense of freedom comes through in this latest EP. Adam’s musical background stretches back to the 1990s and early 2000s, when he played guitar and mandolin in his own band and also toured internationally as a bassist with a well-known celebrity-led pub band. Those years took him across England, Italy, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. A trip to Austin, Texas, later became an important moment in his creative life. While recording at Willie Nelson’s studio, Adam began thinking seriously about taking his own songwriting in a new direction.
That decision eventually led to a prolific career as an independent DIY artist. “Three Fires” represents another step in that journey, with Adam continuing to develop the folk-influenced pop sound he has made his own. He describes his style as sitting somewhere between Neil Finn and The Lumineers, with some Coldplay and James Blunt in the mix. There is also a clear appreciation for the Beach Boys and their detailed vocal arrangements, something Adam has drawn on when developing his own approach to harmonies.
The idea of journeys comes up often in Adam’s songwriting, both in the literal sense of travelling and in the more personal experiences that shape a person over time. Given his own history, it feels like a natural subject for him. His years on the road and his decision to step away from being part of another act and build something of his own give that perspective some real weight. The recording of “Three Fires” took place in Perth, Western Australia, at the personal studio of longtime producer Melvin Tree. Adam, Tree, and Dave Kelly played all the instruments, working through the songs together in the studio until the arrangements felt right. They then recorded them using an old Studer analog desk, with backing vocals from some of Tree’s music students adding another layer to the sessions.
I like how personal the story behind “Three Fires” feels. You get the impression of an artist who has found his place and is enjoying the process of making music on his own terms. For me, the most appealing part is the combination of Adam’s folk-pop direction and his interest in vocal harmony, which gives the project a warm and familiar character.
“Three Fires” is a good introduction to Garth Adam’s current work as a songwriter. It carries the experience of someone who has spent decades around music, yet still sounds connected to the excitement of creating something for himself. If you enjoy folk-influenced pop, melodic songwriting, and vocal harmonies, give the EP a listen and follow Garth Adam so you can keep up with his future releases. Add “Three Fires” to your playlist too, especially if you like finding independent artists with a real history behind their music. This EP comes from a long road of playing, traveling, writing, and recording, and it is worth giving that story a place in your listening rotation.
