John Van Wicklen doesn’t need a wall of sound to make a song hit home. With his new single “You Lit The Flame,” the Pennsylvania-born artist leans into restraint—and the result is disarmingly intimate. The track opens with a gentle, fingerpicked guitar line that feels less like a performance and more like a secret shared in confidence. In a music landscape that often rewards spectacle, Van Wicklen’s decision to keep things minimal is both bold and refreshing.
Rooted in analog warmth and lived-in vocals, “You Lit The Flame” plays like a love letter aged in real time. “While others burned out over time, our flame still burns bright,” Van Wicklen sings, with a delivery that’s more weathered whisper than polished shine. The song’s unvarnished production—no frills, no tricks—lets every line breathe. There’s a timeless quality here, calling to mind James Taylor’s sincerity and Damien Rice’s early vulnerability, but the sentiment is unmistakably Van Wicklen’s: love that doesn’t fizzle, it endures.
The track also speaks to the artist’s long arc in music, stretching back to school band rooms and drum corps fields. Now with over 18 YouTube performances under his belt, Van Wicklen has grown into his own skin—not chasing hits, but carving out emotional space. “It’s not just about the song,” he says. “It’s about the story behind it.” And the story here is one of resilience—of choosing connection over chaos, slow burn over fast fame..
That perspective hasn’t come easy. As an independent artist, Van Wicklen has navigated the grind of self-releasing with persistence and a few hard lessons. He credits fellow songwriter Mike Gladstone (of Gary Lewis & The Playboys) as someone he’s collaborated with along the way, not as a mentor but as a creative peer helping him stay the course. That mindset shows up in his fan relationships, too: no algorithms, no stunts—just honest music and patient storytelling. “This healed parts of my marriage,” one fan wrote. That kind of feedback doesn’t come from trends. It comes from truth.
There’s more on the horizon. Van Wicklen is already teasing a holiday single set to drop later this year, promising “that same intimacy, just with sleigh bells.” If “You Lit The Flame” is any indication, it won’t be just another seasonal track—it’ll be a quiet companion to winter nights and long-held memories.
Because in a world full of noise, Van Wicklen proves one thing: you don’t need to shout to be heard.
Listen to “You Lit The Flame”:
YouTube | Spotify
“Music isn’t about shouting loudest—it’s about whispering something true.”
— John Van Wicklen