Windmill Music is the latest project from Upper Peninsula-based songwriter Kent Randell, joined by a rotating cast of musical collaborators and longtime friends. Their new album, "Call Me Dandelion," was recently released and marks a significant creative milestone for the group. The band recently visited the Public Radio 90 studios for a conversation and acoustic performance featuring Randell, drummer Evan Potila, and guitarist Matt Lynch.
The project is rooted in Randell’s songwriting but expanded into something larger through a deeply collaborative process. With encouragement from close friends and collaborators, the idea took on new seriousness. The group recorded the foundational tracks at Da Yoopers Studio in Ishpeming, with engineering help and musical contributions from Jesse DeCaire and Jim Bellmore. Dozens of others added their voices and instruments along the way, creating an expansive soundscape that blends bright indie rock with orchestral textures, including cello, clarinet, and flute.
The album is both emotionally rich and musically layered, combining upbeat arrangements with introspective themes. While the first half leans more melodic and optimistic, the second half dips into moodier territory. Influences range from emotional hardcore and indie rock to more experimental arrangements, shaped by Randell’s early fascination with The Beatles’ "White Album" and the intricate compositions of They Might Be Giants. Despite modesty about his own instrumental skills, Randell has always approached music as a way to document life and connect with others, describing Windmill Music as a kind of ongoing personal journal.
The collaborative nature of the project goes beyond studio credits. Many of the musicians involved, including Lynch and Potila, have a history of playing together in bands like Manray and Säh. While there’s some stylistic continuity with those earlier groups, Windmill Music is more reflective, measured, and open to a wider sonic palette. The creative process often begins with Randell’s arrangements, then expands through improvisation and contributions from others. That openness to collaboration is a defining characteristic of the group.
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's interview with Kent Randell and friends:
The band recently played a handful of shows around the Upper Great Lakes and received strong support from venues and music communities across the region. Their upcoming performance is set for Thursday, August 7th, at Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette, where they’ll share the stage with The God Eaters and The Chanteymen. Fans can also look forward to vinyl pre-orders of "Call Me Dandelion," with copies available at the show and through Cudighi Records’ Bandcamp.
For those interested in diving deeper into Windmill Music’s evolving catalog, "Call Me Dandelion" is now available on major streaming platforms, with additional material on the group’s Bandcamp page. Whether as a studio project or a live band, Windmill Music continues to evolve as a community-driven, emotionally resonant musical outlet rooted in friendship, memory, and sound.
The preceding interview was part of a broadcast of The Shuffle on August 2nd, 2025.
Listen to Windmill Music perform three songs live and acoustic in Studio A:
