Quiet Takes Lifts The 'Veils' On Her Upcoming EP Release
Sarah Magill, the singer-songwriter behind the moniker, reflects on the power of obscurity and collaboration with creatives in the Chippewa Valley
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Graham Tolbert |
In an era where songwriting felt sporadic – yet the unwavering pulse for creation persisted – Sarah Magill, the Eau Claire-based singer-songwriter of Quiet Takes, has found power within this instinct through her latest EP, Veils.
Set for release on Dec. 12, Veils has become a testament to this delicate balance; a collection born from quiet collaboration and Magill’s investment in trusting her interpersonal, emotional current.
Magill explained the concepts of Veils drew inspiration from its namesake. The veil – as a symbol – was something she had long contemplated and found useful not only as a visual representation of her songwriting, but also as a means to navigate the fluctuations of her own life.
“I just love the ways that we reveal and hide things in art – and also the power of choosing what to keep (private) and what to share,” Magill said.
More than anything, the veil acts as a symbol for the unconscious influence of friendships and the world of art which surrounds us; Magill shared the metaphor was introduced to her by a friend to embrace the ever-changing fluidity of friendships and interpret one’s vulnerability on and off the stage.
The metaphor of a veil’s movement permeates across the seven tracks of Veils, vividly brought to life through the EP’s imagery – assisted by Minnesota-based photographer Graham Tolbert and multi-disciplinary artists Sarah and Erik Elstran (The Nunnery, among other projects).
“Seasick,” the EP’s fourth track – accompanied with a video produced by the Elstrans – highlights the ephemeral beauty of veils in our natural world. The video’s setting immerses viewers into the motion of a willow tree as it sways gently in the breeze.
The video features Magill performing alone among the trees, with both willow branches and what she modestly describes as a deep, royal-blue cheesecloth obscuring her facial features, creating a sense of visual ambiguity that deepens with every shot.
Magill cherished this act of creation as she observed how each collaborator instinctively found ways to convey her emotions and ideas in real time.
“I love trying to get your favorites to collaborate and work together,” Magill said. “This (video) is exactly what I was picturing, but better.”
The veil once again reappears in “Shutter Blue,” the EP’s sixth track, with lyrics that are both literal and dream-like, Magill said.
In this song, Magill describes a house with blue shutters – a color which holds archetypal meanings of calmness, trust, brooding introspection and loyalty to the self. “I woke up from my mother’s dream / she gave me the cottage keys / shutter blue,” fragments of the poetic lyrics read.
The lines continue – “Keep the veils on and don’t explain / keep a foot in the broken scrape” – as Magill once more introduces the image of the veil, a prompt which in turn allows for unique interpretations from every listener.
Many of the songs on this EP were not extensively planned for a dedicated place or record; they first existed through the collaborative and supportive network of songwriters’ retreats and monthly gatherings of Chippewa Valley musicians.
These recurring “song shares” continue to be an environment where new material can be introduced to fellow musicians – and friends – who are ready to listen, without the pressure to impress one another, Magill noted.
“I could write songs in these different (spaces), have so much support and feedback from different groups and then feel safe enough to (say), ‘I'm just going to try this,’ ” Magill said.
This creative framework culminated in an “unveiled” recording session one September night in Eau Claire, supported by Lena Sutter, who recorded and audio engineered the EP.
With just Magill, Sutter and a single grand piano in the space, Magill shed expectations – along with her shoes and rings, she noted. This act of self-trust led to a welcome surprise: a settled veil of comfort over her work.
“Some of my favorite recordings of all time are just very simply recorded live,” Magill said. “You can hear the creak at the piano, you can hear the bench move, you can hear breathing; it just sounds human.
“I surprised myself,” she added. “Trusting your intuition is great, but learning to stop judging in the moment was (also) really helpful.”
Veils was then mixed and mastered by Zach Hanson, who also supported Magill’s most recent record, Regrets Only, among other notable records from Chippewa Valley musicians and beyond (S.Carey, The Staves, Gordi, Bon Iver among others).
If you missed the live shows or songwriter sessions where Veils was developed, Magill will be presenting a small, live showcase of the EP at Abraxas Wax (320 Graham Ave., Suite 102, Eau Claire) on Dec. 14. In this environment, she invites attendees to connect with others for an afternoon of music and vinyl record shopping.
As time progresses, Veils will act as a bridge between the narrative of Regrets Only and a new, collaborative record Magill has slated for future release.
“My gut (feeling) is that (Veils is) kind of a missing piece – emotionally – in between two bigger albums’ storytelling,” Magill said.
The newest Quiet Takes EP, Veils, is set for release on Dec. 12 and will be available to listen through Bandcamp and on analog vinyl. To learn more about Magill’s previous projects and sonic journey, visit quiettakes.com.
