The forests of Northern Michigan are more than a backdrop to James Filkins' music. They are part of its language. Trails, lakes, changing seasons, and towering trees have long shaped both his daily life and his approach to composition.
“Arboreal Glen” was inspired by the forests surrounding Glen Arbor on Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, a place where woodland meets the waters of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. In 2015, the region was struck by a powerful storm with winds exceeding one hundred miles per hour. Thousands of mature trees were uprooted or broken, permanently altering parts of the landscape. Witnessing the aftermath revealed not only the force of nature, but also the quiet resilience of the ecosystem that depends on those forests.
This composition reflects that experience with sensitivity rather than drama. James Filkins' acoustic guitar establishes a calm and spacious foundation while Aaron Dolan's whistle rises above it, suggesting the movement of birds through the forest canopy. Together the instruments create an atmosphere that feels open, reflective, and deeply connected to the natural world.
Throughout the history of instrumental folk music, landscapes have often become silent collaborators in the creative process. From traditional Celtic airs inspired by mountains and coastlines to contemporary acoustic compositions rooted in a sense of place, nature continues to shape musical storytelling. “Arboreal Glen” follows this tradition, offering a tribute to the forests that surround Northern Michigan and to the countless forms of life they quietly sustain.