Every week, the Milwaukee Music Premiere, presented by The Cooperage, acts as a bridge between the city's artists and our listening audience. It provides a platform for local talent to showcase their work. If you are an artist with a track you wish to have exclusively debuted on Radio Milwaukee, simply head over to our Music Submission page to discover the process.

Something Special for the Final 2024 Premiere

In the final Milwaukee Music Premiere of 2024, something extraordinary is in store. It is something distinct and truly in line with the station's non-commercial and genre-flexible history. After a year of sharing tracks that span from psychedelic to barnstorming bluegrass and from rap to rockabilly, this year's 30th and last premiere is going full-on classical with "Ephraim" by Alicia Rytlewski.

The Ben Folds Connection

When I first heard "Ephraim," my mind immediately thought of the Ben Folds section in my music library. Considering the song is carried solely by Rytlewski and her piano, this comparison is easy yet appropriate. With minimal effort, one can envision Folds-like lyrics added to the track, perhaps telling the story of a garbageman with pastry chef aspirations or a trip to the pharmacy that unexpectedly ended in a Winnipeg bus station. He has a penchant for good waltzes, and as far as my admittedly novice music education can tell, "Ephraim" is built on the 3/4 time signature, similar to those "clumsy guy learns to ballroom dance" scenes in movies.

The Inspiration Behind "Ephraim"

Rytlewski did not compose "Ephraim" with a dance floor in mind. Instead, it was a gift for her uncle's wedding held in the village of Ephraim in Door County. As guests gathered near a graffiti-covered barn by the lakefront for the affair, Rytlewski debuted a song that evokes a sense of "looking out over a vast body of water." At times, it is gentle, insistent, soothing, and stirring, with a melody that recurs at key points to anchor the listener throughout.

Setting the Tone for an Album

Although Rytlewski created "Ephraim" years ago, it ended up setting the tone for an entire album inspired by scenes and settings across Wisconsin. As stated in her announcement for When We Were Bears, the album encompasses from a biodynamic farm in rural Campbellsport to the snow-blanketed streets of Milwaukee.While we eagerly await the rest of the album, we have this remarkable track inspired by Door County and the joy of life moments. Listen to "Ephraim" using the player at the top of the page, and visit Alicia Rytlewski's digital home to explore more from the upcoming album, which will be released in full on January 24.