The inspiration for Witch Hazel grows quite literally in James Filkins' garden in Northern Michigan.
After planting several witch hazel trees around his home, the guitarist and composer became fascinated by their unusual behaviour. Unlike many other trees, witch hazels follow their own seasonal rhythms. Some bloom as autumn gives way to winter, others flower in the coldest months, while certain varieties wait until spring.
Filkins sees something familiar in this unpredictability. His approach to guitar playing and composition has often followed an equally individual path, guided by curiosity rather than established conventions.
Witch Hazel is his musical tribute to these remarkable trees, reflecting the close relationship between his surroundings and his creative life.