Singles Spotlight:
Blue Twisted Steel – “Lowlight”

Hello reader,

How are you today?  Ready for more music content on SWT?

We’re excited to discuss another West Virginia-based band that is making some great music: Blue Twisted Steel. According to a press release for the lead single “Lowlight,” which is featured on the group’s upcoming album Turnstile of Romance, they are “a southern West Virginia-based, post-Americana band fronted by husband-and-wife team Josiah and Abigail Spangler and featuring multi-instrumentalist Travis Egnor.” Their debut release in 2022 was the six-song EP, aptly titled Intro. And recently, on February 17th, Blue Twisted Steel released their first single, “Lowlight,” which we’ll explore today.

Abigail Spangler elaborates, “To me, Lowlight means lying on the warm asphalt of my parents’ driveway as a teenager, talking on the phone to the person who would soon be my life partner. It’s funny because the definition of lowlight is a dull or least interesting part of something. But for me, it’s the culmination of those “uninteresting” moments that make a relationship special. Like talking to someone on an old flip phone about nothing in particular for hours, but it doesn’t matter because at that moment we’re connected.” She further explains, “Lowlight is a feeling I want to bask in, but end up moving through and following its lead. I’m not following it blindly, but I’m letting myself get led by the hand, as if it’s taking me to something really exciting. When I was writing this song, I was a very different person than I am today, but this tune speaks to a past version of us (me & Josiah) that still rings true. And that to me seems like a feat, considering some of the things that have transpired in our lives throughout the past decade. Even though we’re very different people now, who we are in Lowlight is still who we are today.“

Giving credit where it’s due. The credits for “Lowlight”:

• Produced, Recorded, and Mixed by: Kenny Miles, Studio H, Lexington, KY
• Mastered by: Jake Burns – Jake Burns Productions, Nashville, TN
• Written by: Abigail Spangler / Blue Twisted Steel / ASCAP and Josiah Spangler / Blue Twisted Steel / ASCAP
• Performances by: Abigail Spangler – lead vocals, 12-string guitar
• Josiah Spangler – harmony vocals, percussion
• Hayden Miles – drums
• Kenny Miles – harmony vocals, baritone guitar, synth
• Travis Egnor – electric guitar, baritone guitar
• Evan Olds – bass

I was fortunate enough to hear “Lowlight” recently and knew that the SWT audience would enjoy it, and of course, current Blue Twisted Steel fans as well. It’s a great introduction to the band and, over time, will become one of the most memorable songs from the Turnstile of Romance album. One that sticks with you. I think that starts with Abigail Spangler’s strong lead vocals, later paired with Josiah’s and Kenny Miles’ to create lush harmonies. The lyrics remain grounded and appreciative of the present, briefly acknowledging the past while looking towards the future with a partner. Hayden Miles keeps the song firmly in tune and on pace on the drums. Both the baritone and electric guitars get moments to shine, along with the addition of Evan Olds’ bass and Kenny Miles’ synth later in the song, filling out the shimmier, more melodic vibe. The song is not meant to be bubblegum pop, but it is plenty affectionate and sweet in its messaging and its crafting. Again, worthy of the Singles Spotlight on SWT and a good intro into the band.

The awesome warm light vibes video, complete with in-studio shots for the song, “Lowlight” from Blue Twisted Steel’s YouTube channel:

(All credits and rights to Blue Twisted Steel)

Alex M Theel

Co-Founder, Reviewer, Content Creator, Business side, Editor at Scummy Water Tower Productions | Web

Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site: scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions!
Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com