Andrew Bird
Encyclopedia
Andrew Bird is an American musician, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
.
from the age of four, Bird graduated from Lake Forest High School
in 1991 and Northwestern University
with a bachelor's degree
in violin performance in 1996. That same year he self-released his first solo album, Music of Hair. Vastly different from his later work, this album showcased his violin skills and paid tribute to his fascination with both American and European folk
traditions, as well as jazz
and blues
. Following this, his initial commercial exposure came through collaborative work with the band Squirrel Nut Zippers
, appearing on three of their albums (Hot, Sold Out, and Perennial Favorites
) between 1996 and 1998.
Taking on the role of bandleader
, Bird released Thrills on Rykodisc in 1997 with his group Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire, shortly followed by second album Oh! The Grandeur
in 1998. Both albums were heavily influenced by traditional folk, pre-war jazz, and swing
, with Bird relying on the violin as his primary musical instrument
, as well as providing vocals along with his trademark verbose lyrics. The Bowl of Fire featured musicians from Bird's home town of Chicago
, including Kevin O'Donnell, Joshua Hirsch, Nora O'Connor
, Andy Hopkins
, Jimmy Sutton, Colin Bunn, and Ryan Hembrey. During this period, Andrew Bird was a member of the jazz group Kevin O'Donnells Quality Six, for which he was the lead singer and violinist and contributed to arrangements and songwriting for the albums Heretic Blues (Delmark 1999) and Control Freak (Delmark 2000) (both Delmark albums were produced by Raymond Salvatore Harmon
).
In 2001, the Bowl of Fire released their third album, The Swimming Hour
, a dramatic departure from their previous recordings. It featured a mixture of styles, from the zydeco
-influenced "Core and Rind" to more straightforward rock songs such as "11:11". Due to this eclectic nature, Bird has often referred to it as his "jukebox
album". Although gaining critical praise (The Swimming Hour received a 9.0 from indie music website Pitchfork), the band failed to attain commercial success or recognition, playing to audiences as small as 40 people.
In 2002, Bird was asked to open for a band in his hometown of Chicago, but fellow Bowl of Fire members were unavailable for the date. The reluctant Bird performed the gig alone, and the surprising success of this solo show suggested potential new directions for his music.
The Bowl of Fire unofficially disbanded in 2003, and Bird went on to radically re-invent himself as a solo artist. His two subsequent albums were released on Ani Difranco
's Righteous Babe Records
label. 2003's Weather Systems
(originally released on Grimsey Records) was a sparse record with a dramatic change in musical direction. It featured the tracks "Skin" and "I", proto-versions of songs that would later become "Skin Is, My" (The Mysterious Production of Eggs
) and "Imitosis" (Armchair Apocrypha
).
The Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005) continued a progression towards an eclectic indie
–folk
sound, and both records formed a stark stylistic break with Bird's earlier work, swapping the lush backing of a full band for carefully layered samples of sound constructed using multitrack recorders
and loop pedals
. As his sound changed, Bird made increasing use of guitar, glockenspiel, and whistling in his songwriting, in addition to his traditional violin and vocals.
Bird is noted for improvising and reworking his songs during live performance, as can be seen in his series of self-released live compilations entitled Fingerlings
, Fingerlings 2
, and Fingerlings 3
, the first of which was released in 2002. Each Fingerlings EP was released prior to a studio album, and presented a mixture of live performances from different shows, including old tracks, covers
, and previously unreleased songs, some of which have since appeared on studio albums. Fingerlings 3, released in October 2006, also featured studio outtakes. Fingerlings 2 provided Bird with an unexpected boost in recognition in 2004 when it was named album of the month by Mojo
.
In 2005, co-collaborator Martin Dosh joined Bird's line-up, adding percussion and keyboards to his sound. Jeremy Ylvisaker
was later added to the group on bass and backup vocals.
In September 2006, Bird signed to Fat Possum Records
, and in March 2007 he released his third post-Bowl of Fire album, Armchair Apocrypha
. The album was recorded in collaboration with electronic musician Martin Dosh, and includes a track composed by Dosh (with lyrics by Bird) entitled "Simple X". This song first appeared without Bird's lyrics as "Simple Exercises" on Dosh's 2004 release Pure Trash
. The album was produced by Ben Durrant (who had worked on Dosh's The Lost Take
), and also featured Haley Bonar
and Chris Morrissey
. In advance of the March release date, Armchair Apocrypha was leaked to the Internet in January 2007. The album went on to sell over 100,000 copies.
As publicity for Armchair Apocrypha, Bird made his network television debut on April 10, 2007, performing "Plasticities" (from the new album) on the Late Show with David Letterman
. He also appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
on June 14, 2007, performing "Imitosis" from the same album. In April 2007, he did a Take-Away Show acoustic video session shot by Vincent Moon
. These appearances were accompanied by an extensive tour, which ended with sell-out performances at the Beacon Theater, New York and the Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles.
In January 2007, Andrew Bird made an appearance on the Noggin television network's Jack's Big Music Show
, playing the part of Dr. Stringz and appearing in order to mend a character's broken dulcimer
. Bird sang a brief song called "Dr. Stringz", written specially for the show. He now often plays it live as an introduction to the song "Fake Palindromes".
On May 20, 2007, National Public Radio aired a live concert by Bird from Washington, D.C.
's 9:30 Club
He also worked with Reverb
, a non-profit environmental
organization, for his 2007 spring tour.
Five of his songs — "Banking on a Myth" from "The Mysterious Production of Eggs," a medley of "I" from Weather Systems and "Imitosis" from "Armchair Apocrypha," and "Skin" and "Weather Systems" from Weather Systems — have been licensed for use by Marriott Residence Inn.
Since March 2008, Bird has contributed to "Measure for Measure," a New York Times
blog
in which musicians write about their songwriting process. In it, he has charted the development of the song "Oh No," previewing samples at various stages of development through to the finished album recording. He also discussed the conception of the song "Natural Disaster," the recording of instrumental piece "Hot Math," and previewed "Master Sigh." The first two songs were later released on Bird's 2009 album "Noble Beast
," whilst the latter two appeared on its bonus disc "Useless Creatures."
In December 2008, Bird appeared in the second series of Nigel Godrich
's From the Basement
alongside Radiohead
and Fleet Foxes
. His performance included a preview of new song "Section 8 City," a ten minute re-imagining of "Sectionate City," which originally appeared on the "Soldier On EP."
Bird's fifth solo album, "Noble Beast
," was released on January 20, 2009, and contained fourteen new songs, with bonus tracks available for download from iTunes
and eMusic
. "The Privateers" is a re-imagining of a very early song entitled "The Confession" from 1999's "Oh! The Grandeur
." A limited deluxe edition of the album included alternate packaging and artwork, as well as an all-instrumental companion disc entitled "Useless Creatures." The entirety of "Useless Creatures" was made available via Bird's website during the run-up to the release. "Noble Beast" has been met with generally favourable reviews, receiving a score of 79 out of 100 from review collation site Metacritic
.
In 2009, Bird contributed a cover of the song "The Giant of Illinois" to the HIV and AIDS benefit album "Dark Was the Night
" produced by the Red Hot Organization
. On May 11, 2009, Bird released the EP "Fitz and the Dizzy Spells
." It contains "Fitz and the Dizzyspells" from "Noble Beast," as well as other songs from that album's recording sessions. Some of the songs on the EP were previously available for download from iTunes
and eMusic
as bonus tracks to "Noble Beast."
In 2010, Bird recorded with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
, contributing vocals and violin on a cover of "Shake It and Break It" on "Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program."
Andrew Bird currently uses custom-made Schroeder
amplifiers.
, Lester Young
, and Fats Waller
. He has also had a number of classical influences such as Claude Debussy
, Maurice Ravel
, and Bela Bartok
. Other influences included jazz, swing, calypso, and folk. Bird has stated that, at 22, he found a lot of indie rock and pop music repetitive and boring, but now understands it better.
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
.
Early life and the Bowl of Fire (1973–2002)
Trained in the Suzuki methodSuzuki method
The Suzuki method is a method of teaching music that emerged in the mid-20th century.-Background:The Suzuki Method was conceived in the mid-20th century by Shin'ichi Suzuki, a Japanese violinist who desired to bring beauty to the lives of children in his country after the devastation of World War II...
from the age of four, Bird graduated from Lake Forest High School
Lake Forest High School
Lake Forest High School may refer to:* Lake Forest High School , Lake Forest, Lake County, Illinois* Lake Forest High School , Felton, Kent County, Delaware...
in 1991 and Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in violin performance in 1996. That same year he self-released his first solo album, Music of Hair. Vastly different from his later work, this album showcased his violin skills and paid tribute to his fascination with both American and European folk
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
traditions, as well as jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
. Following this, his initial commercial exposure came through collaborative work with the band Squirrel Nut Zippers
Squirrel Nut Zippers
The Squirrel Nut Zippers are a band formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina by James "Jimbo" Mathus , Katharine Whalen , Chris Phillips on drums, Don Raleigh on bass and sideman Ken Mosher....
, appearing on three of their albums (Hot, Sold Out, and Perennial Favorites
Perennial Favorites
Perennial Favorites is an album by American band Squirrel Nut Zippers.-Track listing:#"Suits Are Picking up the Bill" – 3:04#"Low Down Man" – 4:14#"Ghost of Stephen Foster" – 3:32#"Pallin' with Al" – 2:41...
) between 1996 and 1998.
Taking on the role of bandleader
Bandleader
A bandleader is the leader of a band of musicians. The term is most commonly, though not exclusively, used with a group that plays popular music as a small combo or a big band, such as one which plays jazz, blues, rhythm and blues or rock and roll music....
, Bird released Thrills on Rykodisc in 1997 with his group Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire, shortly followed by second album Oh! The Grandeur
Oh! The Grandeur
-External links:*...
in 1998. Both albums were heavily influenced by traditional folk, pre-war jazz, and swing
Swing (genre)
Swing music, also known as swing jazz or simply swing, is a form of jazz music that developed in the early 1930s and became a distinctive style by 1935 in the United States...
, with Bird relying on the violin as his primary musical instrument
Musical instrument
A musical instrument is a device created or adapted for the purpose of making musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can serve as a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. The history of musical instruments dates back to the...
, as well as providing vocals along with his trademark verbose lyrics. The Bowl of Fire featured musicians from Bird's home town of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, including Kevin O'Donnell, Joshua Hirsch, Nora O'Connor
Nora O'Connor
Nora O'Connor is an American musician. She sings and plays guitar with numerous bands and individuals from the U.S. and Canada, her primary involvements being Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire and the Blacks...
, Andy Hopkins
Andy Hopkins
Andy Hopkins is a former all-star Canadian Football League running back.After playing college football at Stephen F. Austin State University he joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1973, where he rushed for 1223 yards in his rookie season...
, Jimmy Sutton, Colin Bunn, and Ryan Hembrey. During this period, Andrew Bird was a member of the jazz group Kevin O'Donnells Quality Six, for which he was the lead singer and violinist and contributed to arrangements and songwriting for the albums Heretic Blues (Delmark 1999) and Control Freak (Delmark 2000) (both Delmark albums were produced by Raymond Salvatore Harmon
Raymond Salvatore Harmon
Raymond Salvatore Harmon is an American media artist, painter, and filmmaker. As a graffiti artist Harmon has used the tags BETA and RSH...
).
In 2001, the Bowl of Fire released their third album, The Swimming Hour
The Swimming Hour
The Swimming Hour is Andrew Bird's third album with Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire. It comprises a blend of musical styles from the last century including jazz, gospel, rock, classical, Latin and folk, often accompanied by thoughtful, playful or haunting vocals and lyrics.-Track listing:...
, a dramatic departure from their previous recordings. It featured a mixture of styles, from the zydeco
Zydeco
Zydeco is a form of uniquely American roots or folk music. It evolved in southwest Louisiana in the early 19th century from forms of "la la" Creole music...
-influenced "Core and Rind" to more straightforward rock songs such as "11:11". Due to this eclectic nature, Bird has often referred to it as his "jukebox
Jukebox
A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media...
album". Although gaining critical praise (The Swimming Hour received a 9.0 from indie music website Pitchfork), the band failed to attain commercial success or recognition, playing to audiences as small as 40 people.
In 2002, Bird was asked to open for a band in his hometown of Chicago, but fellow Bowl of Fire members were unavailable for the date. The reluctant Bird performed the gig alone, and the surprising success of this solo show suggested potential new directions for his music.
Early solo career (2003–2005)
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
's Righteous Babe Records
Righteous Babe Records
Righteous Babe Records is an American independent record label. It was created by progressive folksinger Ani DiFranco in 1990 to release her own songs in lieu of being beholden to a mainstream record company.-History:...
label. 2003's Weather Systems
Weather Systems
Weather Systems, released in 2003, is Andrew Bird's second solo album and his first after disbanding the Bowl of Fire. Bird has said that the album was simply a side project during his four or five year recording of Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs...
(originally released on Grimsey Records) was a sparse record with a dramatic change in musical direction. It featured the tracks "Skin" and "I", proto-versions of songs that would later become "Skin Is, My" (The Mysterious Production of Eggs
The Mysterious Production of Eggs
Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs is the second album of Andrew Bird's career post-Bowl of Fire, released in 2005, following his Weather Systems in 2003. The album art, along with track illustrations in the accompanying booklet were drawn by Jay Ryan...
) and "Imitosis" (Armchair Apocrypha
Armchair Apocrypha
- Personnel :* Andrew Bird* Haley Bonar – Vocals * Jon Davis – Bass clarinet * Martin Dosh – Drums, electric piano , other sounds* Ben Durrant – Guitar * Chris Morrissey – Bass...
).
The Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005) continued a progression towards an eclectic indie
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
–folk
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
sound, and both records formed a stark stylistic break with Bird's earlier work, swapping the lush backing of a full band for carefully layered samples of sound constructed using multitrack recorders
Multitrack recording
Multitrack recording is a method of sound recording that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole...
and loop pedals
Tape loop
In music, tape loops are loops of prerecorded magnetic tape used to create repetitive, rhythmic musical patterns or dense layers of sound. Contemporary composers such as Steve Reich and Karlheinz Stockhausen used tape loops to create phase patterns and rhythms...
. As his sound changed, Bird made increasing use of guitar, glockenspiel, and whistling in his songwriting, in addition to his traditional violin and vocals.
Bird is noted for improvising and reworking his songs during live performance, as can be seen in his series of self-released live compilations entitled Fingerlings
Fingerlings
-External links:*...
, Fingerlings 2
Fingerlings 2
-References:http://www.andrewbird.net/fingerlings2.htm...
, and Fingerlings 3
Fingerlings 3
Fingerlings 3 is the third in Andrew Bird’s series of live albums called Fingerlings. Unlike the previous Fingerlings, Fingerlings 3 contains songs not recorded live in front of an audience; "Dear Dirty" is a studio track and "The Water Jet Cilice" and "Ethiobirds" were recorded live at Andrew’s...
, the first of which was released in 2002. Each Fingerlings EP was released prior to a studio album, and presented a mixture of live performances from different shows, including old tracks, covers
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
, and previously unreleased songs, some of which have since appeared on studio albums. Fingerlings 3, released in October 2006, also featured studio outtakes. Fingerlings 2 provided Bird with an unexpected boost in recognition in 2004 when it was named album of the month by Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
.
In 2005, co-collaborator Martin Dosh joined Bird's line-up, adding percussion and keyboards to his sound. Jeremy Ylvisaker
Jeremy Ylvisaker
Jeremy Ylvisaker is a Minneapolis-based musician. Ylvisaker fronts the band Alpha Consumer. He plays guitar in Andrew Bird's touring band band alongside fellow Minnesotans Dosh and Alpha Consumer bassist Mike Lewis....
was later added to the group on bass and backup vocals.
Signed to Fat Possum Records (2006–present)
Fat Possum Records
Fat Possum Records is an American independent record label based in Oxford, Mississippi. At first Fat Possum focused almost entirely on recording hitherto unknown Mississippi blues artists . Recently, Fat Possum has signed younger rock acts to its roster...
, and in March 2007 he released his third post-Bowl of Fire album, Armchair Apocrypha
Armchair Apocrypha
- Personnel :* Andrew Bird* Haley Bonar – Vocals * Jon Davis – Bass clarinet * Martin Dosh – Drums, electric piano , other sounds* Ben Durrant – Guitar * Chris Morrissey – Bass...
. The album was recorded in collaboration with electronic musician Martin Dosh, and includes a track composed by Dosh (with lyrics by Bird) entitled "Simple X". This song first appeared without Bird's lyrics as "Simple Exercises" on Dosh's 2004 release Pure Trash
Pure Trash
Pure Trash is the second full-length album by Dosh, released on 11 October 2004 on the anticon. label.-Track listing:#"Simple Exercises"#"Dark Lord of Rhodes"#"This Is When Things Were Looking Up"#"Rock It to the Next Episode"#"Bye Rhodsy"...
. The album was produced by Ben Durrant (who had worked on Dosh's The Lost Take
The Lost Take
The Lost Take is a 2006 album by Dosh, released on anticon. The album features many contributors, most notably Andrew Bird on violin and whistling.-Track listing:#"One Through Seven"#"Everybody Cheer Up Song"#"Um, Circles and Squares"...
), and also featured Haley Bonar
Haley Bonar
Haley Bonar is an American alternative country singer-songwriter who hails from South Dakota. She has lived in Duluth and St. Paul, Minnesota. In July 2009, she moved to Portland, Oregon, where she spent a year writing songs for her newest album Golder, which is to be released April 19, 2011...
and Chris Morrissey
Chris Morrissey (musician)
Chris Morrissey is a musician currently living in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Chris plays the bass. Chris currently plays with and has recorded with a number of bands:* Mason Jennings* Haley Bonar* Bill Mike Band* Tarlton...
. In advance of the March release date, Armchair Apocrypha was leaked to the Internet in January 2007. The album went on to sell over 100,000 copies.
As publicity for Armchair Apocrypha, Bird made his network television debut on April 10, 2007, performing "Plasticities" (from the new album) on the Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
. He also appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
on June 14, 2007, performing "Imitosis" from the same album. In April 2007, he did a Take-Away Show acoustic video session shot by Vincent Moon
Vincent Moon
Vincent Moon is an independent filmmaker from Paris mainly known for his field work music videos of indie rock related musicians as well as some notable mainstream artists like Tom Jones, R.E.M. or Arcade Fire. Besides making music videos he also makes experimental films and documentaries...
. These appearances were accompanied by an extensive tour, which ended with sell-out performances at the Beacon Theater, New York and the Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles.
In January 2007, Andrew Bird made an appearance on the Noggin television network's Jack's Big Music Show
Jack's Big Music Show
Jack's Big Music Show is a children's television program currently airing on the Nick Jr. television network. The show premiered on the same network on September 12, 2005...
, playing the part of Dr. Stringz and appearing in order to mend a character's broken dulcimer
Appalachian dulcimer
The Appalachian dulcimer is a fretted string instrument of the zither family, typically with three or four strings. It is native to the Appalachian region of the United States...
. Bird sang a brief song called "Dr. Stringz", written specially for the show. He now often plays it live as an introduction to the song "Fake Palindromes".
On May 20, 2007, National Public Radio aired a live concert by Bird from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
's 9:30 Club
9:30 Club
Foo Fighters Promise to come back to D.C. and play the 9:30 ClubNightclub 9:30 is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. Originally located at 930 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C., in the 1970s it was called the "Atlantis Club", and hosted primarily rock, New Wave, and punk bands...
He also worked with Reverb
Reverb (non-profit)
Reverb is a non-profit environmental organization that educates and engages musicians and their fans to promote environmental sustainability. It was founded by environmentalist Lauren Sullivan and her musician husband, Guster guitarist/vocalist Adam Gardner....
, a non-profit environmental
Environmentalism
Environmentalism is a broad philosophy, ideology and social movement regarding concerns for environmental conservation and improvement of the health of the environment, particularly as the measure for this health seeks to incorporate the concerns of non-human elements...
organization, for his 2007 spring tour.
Five of his songs — "Banking on a Myth" from "The Mysterious Production of Eggs," a medley of "I" from Weather Systems and "Imitosis" from "Armchair Apocrypha," and "Skin" and "Weather Systems" from Weather Systems — have been licensed for use by Marriott Residence Inn.
Since March 2008, Bird has contributed to "Measure for Measure," a New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
in which musicians write about their songwriting process. In it, he has charted the development of the song "Oh No," previewing samples at various stages of development through to the finished album recording. He also discussed the conception of the song "Natural Disaster," the recording of instrumental piece "Hot Math," and previewed "Master Sigh." The first two songs were later released on Bird's 2009 album "Noble Beast
Noble Beast
Noble Beast is American singer-songwriter Andrew Bird's fifth solo studio album released on January 20, 2009. Two songs from this album were previewed on his webpage, "Oh No" and "Carrion Suite", while the entire album was made available by NPR as a streaming feed...
," whilst the latter two appeared on its bonus disc "Useless Creatures."
In December 2008, Bird appeared in the second series of Nigel Godrich
Nigel Godrich
Nigel Godrich, , is a recording engineer, record producer and musician. He is best known for his work with the English rock band Radiohead and is sometimes referred to as the "sixth member" of the band...
's From the Basement
From the Basement
From the Basement is a podcast turned television programme created by music producer and engineer Nigel Godrich that features live performances from various musicians, without a host or audience.-Background:...
alongside Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
and Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes are a folk rock band which formed in Seattle, Washington. They are signed to the Sub Pop and Bella Union record labels. The band came to prominence in 2008 with the release of their second EP, Sun Giant, and their debut full length album Fleet Foxes...
. His performance included a preview of new song "Section 8 City," a ten minute re-imagining of "Sectionate City," which originally appeared on the "Soldier On EP."
Bird's fifth solo album, "Noble Beast
Noble Beast
Noble Beast is American singer-songwriter Andrew Bird's fifth solo studio album released on January 20, 2009. Two songs from this album were previewed on his webpage, "Oh No" and "Carrion Suite", while the entire album was made available by NPR as a streaming feed...
," was released on January 20, 2009, and contained fourteen new songs, with bonus tracks available for download from iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
and eMusic
EMusic
eMusic is an online music and audiobook store that operates by subscription. It is headquartered in New York City with an office in London and owned by Dimensional Associates. As of September 2008 eMusic has over 400,000 subscribers....
. "The Privateers" is a re-imagining of a very early song entitled "The Confession" from 1999's "Oh! The Grandeur
Oh! The Grandeur
-External links:*...
." A limited deluxe edition of the album included alternate packaging and artwork, as well as an all-instrumental companion disc entitled "Useless Creatures." The entirety of "Useless Creatures" was made available via Bird's website during the run-up to the release. "Noble Beast" has been met with generally favourable reviews, receiving a score of 79 out of 100 from review collation site Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
.
In 2009, Bird contributed a cover of the song "The Giant of Illinois" to the HIV and AIDS benefit album "Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night
Dark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
" produced by the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
. On May 11, 2009, Bird released the EP "Fitz and the Dizzy Spells
Fitz and the Dizzy Spells
Fitz and the Dizzyspells is the fifth EP by American singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, released on May 11, 2009. "See the Enemy" is a reworked version of the song "Anonanimal", and "Ten-You-Us" is an alternate version of "Tenuousness", both from the album Noble Beast.-Track listing:...
." It contains "Fitz and the Dizzyspells" from "Noble Beast," as well as other songs from that album's recording sessions. Some of the songs on the EP were previously available for download from iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
and eMusic
EMusic
eMusic is an online music and audiobook store that operates by subscription. It is headquartered in New York City with an office in London and owned by Dimensional Associates. As of September 2008 eMusic has over 400,000 subscribers....
as bonus tracks to "Noble Beast."
In 2010, Bird recorded with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Preservation Hall Jazz Band is the name for numerous groups of Dixieland Jazz and traditional jazz bands at Preservation Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana, and on tours as organized by the Preservation Hall...
, contributing vocals and violin on a cover of "Shake It and Break It" on "Preservation: An Album to Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program."
Andrew Bird currently uses custom-made Schroeder
Schroeder Audio, Inc.
Schroeder Audio, Inc. is a boutique builder of high-end, hand wired, guitar tube amplifiers and effects. They are located in Chicago, IL and owned by Tim Schroeder.- Critical Reception :...
amplifiers.
Influences
Growing up, Bird was surrounded by classical music. As a child, he was interested in Irish tunes and bluegrass. He also cites English and Scottish folk music as an early influence. His early jazz influences were Johnny HodgesJohnny Hodges
John Cornelius "Johnny" Hodges was an American alto saxophonist, best known for his solo work with Duke Ellington's big band. He played lead alto in the saxophone section for many years, except the period between 1932–1946 when Otto Hardwick generally played first chair...
, Lester Young
Lester Young
Lester Willis Young , nicknamed "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He also played trumpet, violin, and drums....
, and Fats Waller
Fats Waller
Fats Waller , born Thomas Wright Waller, was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer...
. He has also had a number of classical influences such as Claude Debussy
Claude Debussy
Claude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
, Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel
Joseph-Maurice Ravel was a French composer known especially for his melodies, orchestral and instrumental textures and effects...
, and Bela Bartok
Béla Bartók
Béla Viktor János Bartók was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer...
. Other influences included jazz, swing, calypso, and folk. Bird has stated that, at 22, he found a lot of indie rock and pop music repetitive and boring, but now understands it better.
Bowl of Fire albums
- Thrills (1998)
- Oh! The GrandeurOh! The Grandeur-External links:*...
(1999) - The Swimming HourThe Swimming HourThe Swimming Hour is Andrew Bird's third album with Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire. It comprises a blend of musical styles from the last century including jazz, gospel, rock, classical, Latin and folk, often accompanied by thoughtful, playful or haunting vocals and lyrics.-Track listing:...
(2001)
Solo albums
- Music of Hair (1996)
- Weather SystemsWeather SystemsWeather Systems, released in 2003, is Andrew Bird's second solo album and his first after disbanding the Bowl of Fire. Bird has said that the album was simply a side project during his four or five year recording of Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs...
(2003) - Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs (2005)
- Armchair ApocryphaArmchair Apocrypha- Personnel :* Andrew Bird* Haley Bonar – Vocals * Jon Davis – Bass clarinet * Martin Dosh – Drums, electric piano , other sounds* Ben Durrant – Guitar * Chris Morrissey – Bass...
(2007, Fat Possum) #76 US - Noble BeastNoble BeastNoble Beast is American singer-songwriter Andrew Bird's fifth solo studio album released on January 20, 2009. Two songs from this album were previewed on his webpage, "Oh No" and "Carrion Suite", while the entire album was made available by NPR as a streaming feed...
(2009, Fat Possum) #12 US
Live albums
- FingerlingsFingerlings-External links:*...
(2002, Grimsey Records) - Fingerlings 2Fingerlings 2-References:http://www.andrewbird.net/fingerlings2.htm...
(2004, Grimsey) - Fingerlings 3Fingerlings 3Fingerlings 3 is the third in Andrew Bird’s series of live albums called Fingerlings. Unlike the previous Fingerlings, Fingerlings 3 contains songs not recorded live in front of an audience; "Dear Dirty" is a studio track and "The Water Jet Cilice" and "Ethiobirds" were recorded live at Andrew’s...
(2006, Grimsey) - Live In Montreal (2008, Bella Union)
- Fingerlings 4 (2010, Wegawam Music Co.)
EPs and singles
- The Ballad of the Red ShoesThe Ballad of the Red ShoesThe Ballad of the Red Shoes is a collaborative project between Andrew Bird and his mother, Beth Bird, who is a printmaker. In its original printing in 2001, the artwork consisted of an accordion folded set of prints illustrating a story tucked inside a sturdy printed / handpainted chipboard folder...
(2002) - SovaySovay (Andrew Bird song)Andrew Bird's song, "Sovay", was originally released as a single before appearing as the second track on his album Andrew Bird & the Mysterious Production of Eggs.- Song meaning :...
(2005, Fargo Records) – single - Live at Bonnaroo Music Festival (2006, Live at Bonnaroo Music FestivalBonnaroo Music FestivalThe Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is an annual four day music festival created and produced by Superfly Productions and AC Entertainment, held at Great Stage Park on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. It hosted its tenth annual event June 9–12, 2011...
) – Live EP - Soldier On (2007) – European tour EP
- Fitz and the Dizzy SpellsFitz and the Dizzy SpellsFitz and the Dizzyspells is the fifth EP by American singer-songwriter Andrew Bird, released on May 11, 2009. "See the Enemy" is a reworked version of the song "Anonanimal", and "Ten-You-Us" is an alternate version of "Tenuousness", both from the album Noble Beast.-Track listing:...
(2009) - Anonanimal (2009) – Download only single
Other album appearances
- Kiltartan Road – Joy to the Morning (1995)
- Kat Eggleston – Outside Eden (1996, Waterbug RecordsWaterbug RecordsWaterbug Records is a small independent record label based in Glen Ellyn, Illinois specializing in singer-songwriters and traditional folk musicians who do original research. The label was founded as an artist cooperative label in 1992 by singer-songwriter Andrew Calhoun. Calhoun described the...
) - Lil Ed and Dave Weld with The Imperial Flames – Keep On Walkin (1996, Earwig Music)
- Andrew CalhounAndrew CalhounAndrew Calhoun is an American folk singer/songwriter. He was inspired to become a musician when his mother brought home a couple of her hippie students who played guitar. Early influences include Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, John Prine, Leonard Cohen, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Joseph Conrad,...
– Phoenix Envy (1996, Earwig Music) - Charlie Nobody – Soup (1996)
- Squirrel Nut ZippersSquirrel Nut ZippersThe Squirrel Nut Zippers are a band formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina by James "Jimbo" Mathus , Katharine Whalen , Chris Phillips on drums, Don Raleigh on bass and sideman Ken Mosher....
– Hot (1996, Mammoth RecordsMammoth RecordsFounded by Jay Faires in 1989 in Carrboro, North Carolina, Mammoth Records was one of the premiere independent record labels of the 1990s. Its roster featured such diverse talent as Antenna, Blake Babies, Chainsaw Kittens, Dash Rip Rock, Dillon Fence, Far Too Jones, Frente!, Fun-Da-Mental, Fu...
) - Squirrel Nut Zippers – Perennial FavoritesPerennial FavoritesPerennial Favorites is an album by American band Squirrel Nut Zippers.-Track listing:#"Suits Are Picking up the Bill" – 3:04#"Low Down Man" – 4:14#"Ghost of Stephen Foster" – 3:32#"Pallin' with Al" – 2:41...
(1998, Mammoth) - Rose PolenzaniRose PolenzaniRose Polenzani is an independent folk musician. She was raised in the Chicago area and attended Knox College before leaving to pursue a singing career. She is currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. Her singing style is distinctive and emotionally charged. At least one free download is always...
– Dragersville (1998, The Orchard) - Pinetop Seven – Rigging the Toplights (1998)
- Extra Virgin – Twelve Stories High (1999)
- Kevin O'Donnell – Heretic Blues (1999, Delmark RecordsDelmark RecordsDelmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
) - Andrew CalhounAndrew CalhounAndrew Calhoun is an American folk singer/songwriter. He was inspired to become a musician when his mother brought home a couple of her hippie students who played guitar. Early influences include Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, John Prine, Leonard Cohen, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Joseph Conrad,...
– Where Blue Meets Blue (1999, Waterbug) - Sally TimmsSally TimmsSally Timms is an English singer and songwriter. Timms is best known for her long involvement with the Mekons whom she joined in 1985....
– Cowboy Sally's Twilight Laments for Lost Buckaroos (1999, Bloodshot RecordsBloodshot RecordsBloodshot Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois which specializes in roots-inflected indie rock, punk blues, and a Chicago brand of outlaw country...
) - Squirrel Nut Zippers – Bedlam BallroomBedlam BallroomBedlam Ballroom is an album by Squirrel Nut Zippers, released in 2000. Most editions of the CD case have a lenticular cover. The cover artwork was created by artist Michael Doret.-Track listing:#"Bedbugs" – 3:12...
(2000, Hollywood RecordsHollywood RecordsHollywood Records is an American record label owned by Disney Music Group, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.-History:Hollywood Records was founded in 1989 by then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner with the idea of expanding the music operations of the company and to develop and promote...
) - The BlacksThe Blacks (band)The Blacks were and insurgent country band from Chicago, IL. They released two albums through Bloodshot Records.-Career:...
– Just Like Home (2000, Bloodshot) - The Handsome FamilyThe Handsome FamilyThe Handsome Family is an alternative country band, formed in Chicago, Illinois.-History:The band was formed in 1993 by husband-and-wife duo Brett Sparks and Rennie Sparks and drummer Mike Werner, although the band would later revolve around Rennie, who writes the lyrics, and Brett, who writes...
– In the Air (2000, Carrot Top RecordsCarrot Top RecordsCarrot Top Records is a Chicago-based independent record label owned and operated by Patrick Monaghan.-Artist roster:* Antietam* The Bitter Tears* The Coctails* Darling Downs* Disco Inferno* Duplex Planet Radio Hour* The Handsome Family* KatJonBand...
) - Devil in a WoodpileDevil in a WoodpileDevil in a Woodpile is a band from Chicago, Illinois. Although they routinely give a fresh sound to 80-year old songs, their repertoire and instrumentation categorizes them as a country blues or jug band.-History:...
– Division Street (2000, Bloodshot) - Kevin O'Donnell – Control Freak (2000 · Delmark RecordsDelmark RecordsDelmark Records is an independent American jazz and blues record label, based in Chicago since 1958. The label originated in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1953 when owner Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the "Delmar" imprint.-History:Born in 1932 in...
) - Neko CaseNeko CaseNeko Case is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her solo career and her contributions as a member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers....
– Canadian AmpCanadian AmpCanadian Amp is a 2001 EP by Neko Case.The recording features Case performing four covers of material by Canadian songwriters, along with a Hank Williams cover, a traditional folk song and two original songs written by Case .Guest musicians include Andrew Bird, Jon Rauhouse, Kelly Hogan, Brett...
(2001) - The Verve PipeThe Verve PipeThe Verve Pipe is an American rock band from East Lansing, Michigan. It was formed in 1992 by Brian and Brad Vander Ark, Brian Stout and Donny Brown.-History:...
– UnderneathUnderneath (The Verve Pipe album)Underneath is a studio album by The Verve Pipe, released on September 25, 2001. Produced by Fountains of Wayne and Ivy band member Adam Schlesinger, the album's power-pop sound was a departure from the darker, textured sonics of The Verve Pipe and Villains...
(2001, RCA RecordsRCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
) - Jenny ToomeyJenny ToomeyJenny Toomey is an American indie rock musician and arts activist from Chevy Chase, Maryland, and later, Washington, D.C. She was a member of the bands Geek, Tsunami, Liquorice, Grenadine, So Low and Choke, among others, and has also recorded under her own name...
– Antidote (2001, Misra Records) - Kelly HoganKelly HoganKelly Hogan is an American singer-songwriter born in Atlanta, Georgia.In the 1990s, Hogan sang with The Jody Grind , singing on their full-lengths One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure and Lefty's Deceiver . The group disbanded after two of its members were killed in a car crash...
– Because It Feel Good (2001, Bloodshot) - Sinister Luck Ensemble – Anniversary (2002, Perishable RecordsPerishable RecordsPerishable Records is an independent record label founded by Chicago musicians Ben Massarella and Tim Rutili. Some artists include Califone, HiM, Joan of Arc, oRSo, Red Red Meat, and Fruit Bats....
) - Abandon Jalopy – Mercy (2002)
- WYEP Live and Direct: Volume 4 - On Air PerformancesWYEP Live and Direct: Volume 4 - On Air PerformancesWYEP Live and Direct: Volume 4 - On Air Performances is a compilation album made of songs that were performed by various artists live on WYEP. WYEP is a non-commercial, community-supported radio station that specializes in eclectic music and programming...
- "Core and Rind" (2002) - Kristin HershKristin HershKristin Hersh is an American singer/songwriter who performs solo acoustic concerts; she also continues to perform as lead singer and guitarist for alternative rock group Throwing Muses and the hardcore punk-influenced power trio 50 Foot Wave...
– The Grotto (2003) - The Autumn DefenseThe Autumn DefenseThe Autumn Defense is an indie band composed of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone.-History:The Autumn Defense began as a side project for John Stirratt, best known for his work as bassist for alt-country bands Wilco and Uncle Tupelo...
– CirclesCircles (The Autumn Defense album)Circles is the second album of The Autumn Defense, composed of multi-instrumentalists John Stirratt and Pat Sansone.-Track listing:# "Silence"# "The Sun in California"# "Written in the Snow"# "The Answer"# "The World "...
(2003, Arena Rock Recording Co.Arena Rock Recording Co.The Arena Rock Recording Company is an independent record label based in Portland, Oregon, United States. Albums are distributed by Redeye in the United States and Koch in Canada.-History:...
) - Bonnie 'Prince' BillyWill OldhamWill Oldham , better known by the stage name Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, is an American singer-songwriter and actor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music...
– Sings Greatest Palace MusicSings Greatest Palace MusicBonnie 'Prince' Billy Sings Greatest Palace Music is an album by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy. It features new recordings of songs from his Palace music era , recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with a large group of country session musicians. The lo-fi nature of the songs' original recordings was abandoned...
(2004, Drag CityDrag City (record label)Drag City is a Chicago-based independent record label. It was established with a Royal Trux release in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois by Dan Koretzky and Dan Osborn.Drag City specializes in experimental indie rock acts...
) - Bobby Bare, Jr.Bobby Bare, Jr.Bobby Bare, Jr. is an American musician who has recorded several solo albums, along with two albums with his band, Bare, Jr....
– From the End of Your Leash (2004, Bloodshot) - Nora O'ConnorNora O'ConnorNora O'Connor is an American musician. She sings and plays guitar with numerous bands and individuals from the U.S. and Canada, her primary involvements being Andrew Bird's Bowl of Fire and the Blacks...
– Til the Dawn (2004, Bloodshot) - Ani DiFrancoAni DiFrancoAni DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
– Knuckle DownKnuckle DownKnuckle Down is the fourteenth studio album by singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco. It is the first album that DiFranco has collaborated with a producer; Joe Henry. The record is also her first studio album to feature a string section...
(2005, Righteous Babe RecordsRighteous Babe RecordsRighteous Babe Records is an American independent record label. It was created by progressive folksinger Ani DiFranco in 1990 to release her own songs in lieu of being beholden to a mainstream record company.-History:...
) - My Morning JacketMy Morning JacketMy Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
– Z (2005, ATO RecordsATO RecordsAccording to Our Records was founded in early 2000 by Dave Matthews , Coran Capshaw, Chris Tetzeli, and Michael McDonald as a division of RCA Records...
) - Bobby BareBobby BareRobert Joseph Bare is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician.-Early career:...
– The Moon Was Blue (2005, Dualtone Music Group) - Emily LoizeauEmily LoizeauEmily Loizeau is a French author, composer, and singer. Her debut album, released in 2006, was titled L'autre bout du monde .- Biography :...
– London Town (in French and English) (2006) - DoshDoshMartin Luther King Chavez Dosh , known in music as Dosh, is a musician and multi-instrumentalist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As an artist, Dosh is a percussionist uses various electronics, often with a Fender Rhodes...
– The Lost TakeThe Lost TakeThe Lost Take is a 2006 album by Dosh, released on anticon. The album features many contributors, most notably Andrew Bird on violin and whistling.-Track listing:#"One Through Seven"#"Everybody Cheer Up Song"#"Um, Circles and Squares"...
(2006, anticon.) - Candi StatonCandi StatonCandi Staton is an American soul and gospel singer, best known for her 1970 remake of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" and her 1976 disco hit "Young Hearts Run Free". In 2007, Staton was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame.-Early years:...
– His Hands (2006, AstralwerksAstralwerksAstralwerks is a New York-based record label that releases primarily electronic music. It is owned by Virgin Records/EMI and distributed by Caroline Distribution in the United States....
) - Magnolia Electric Co. – The Black Ram (2007, Secretly CanadianSecretly CanadianSecretly Canadian is an American independent record label based in Bloomington, Indiana. It was started in 1996 by Chris and Ben Swanson, Eric Weddle, and Jonathan Cargill. Their first release was a re-issue of an album by June Panic...
) - KFOG Live From the Archives Volume 14 – (2007)
- Song of AmericaSong of America (album)Song of America is a 3-disc, compilation album comprising 50 songs related to the history of America. Released on September 18, 2007 under Split Rock Records/Thirty One Tigers, the music collection was conceived by former U.S...
- "How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down On the Farm" (2007, Split Rock Records/Thirty One Tigers) - Charlie LouvinCharlie LouvinCharles Elzer Loudermilk , known professionally as Charlie Louvin, was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1955.-Biography:Born in Henagar, Alabama, Louvin was one of 7 children...
- "Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs" (2008, Tompkins Square) - Todd SickafooseTodd SickafooseTodd Sickafoose is an American jazz and rock bassist originally from the San Francisco Bay Area who now lives in Brooklyn, New York.He is best known for playing bass with Ani DiFranco, but he has also led his own group called, "Todd Sickafoose's Blood Orange".Sickafoose has been a member of the...
- "Tiny Resistors" (2008, Cryptogramophone) - DoshDoshMartin Luther King Chavez Dosh , known in music as Dosh, is a musician and multi-instrumentalist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As an artist, Dosh is a percussionist uses various electronics, often with a Fender Rhodes...
– Wolves and WishesWolves and WishesWolves and Wishes is the fourth full-length musical album by Dosh, released on 13 May 2008 on the anticon. label. The album features appearances from Bonnie ’Prince’ Billy, Andrew Bird, and Marshall LaCount and Nona Marie Invie from the band Dark Dark Dark; as well as Fog, labelmates Odd Nosdam,...
(2008, anticon.) - Final Fantasy – Plays to PleasePlays to PleasePlays to Please is an EP by Canadian musician Owen Pallett, under the name of his project Final Fantasy. It pays tribute to the songs of Toronto’s Alex Lukashevsky and Deep Dark United.-Track listing:#"Horsetail Feathers" – 3:25#"Ultimatum" – 2:44...
(2008, Blocks Recording ClubBlocks Recording ClubBlocks Recording Club is a Canadian co-operative of musicians, which serves as both a collaborative artist community and a record label for its member artists.The label's name may also be cited graphically as □□□□□□ rather than the word "Blocks"...
) - DianogahDianogahDianogah is a Chicago, Illinois based indie rock outfit formed in 1995, noted for their use of two bass guitars. Members include Kip McCabe, Jay Ryan and Jason Harvey. Dianogah's first full-length album, As Seen From Above, was recorded by Steve Albini, who also produced their second full-length...
– Qhnnnl (2008, Southern RecordsSouthern RecordsSouthern Records is an independent record label closely associated with Crass Records, Corpus Christi Records and Dischord Records. It is based in London and previously had offices in Chicago , Le Havre and Berlin .Southern was originally a recording studio owned and operated by John Loder...
) - Loney, DearLoney, DearLoney, Dear is the pseudonym of Swedish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emil Svanängen. He has self-released four albums of music in his native Sweden. His first major release came in February, 2007 in the U.S. when Sub Pop re-issued his album Loney, Noir.-History:Emil Svanängen...
- Dear John (2009) - Dark Was the NightDark Was the NightDark Was the Night is the twentieth compilation release benefiting the Red Hot Organization, an international charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS...
– "The Giant of Illinois" (Red Hot OrganizationRed Hot OrganizationRed Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
, 2009) - Live at KEXP Vol.5- Oh No (2009)http://kexp.org/cd/default.aspx
- Thao with the Get Down Stay DownThao with the Get Down Stay DownThao with The Get Down Stay Down is a San Francisco, California-based alternative folk rock music group. It consists of Thao Nguyen , Adam Thompson , and Lisa Schonberg . Frank Stewart and Willis Thompson are former members of the band.-History:Thao began playing guitar at age 12...
- Know Better Learn Faster (2009, Kill Rock Stars) - DoshDoshMartin Luther King Chavez Dosh , known in music as Dosh, is a musician and multi-instrumentalist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As an artist, Dosh is a percussionist uses various electronics, often with a Fender Rhodes...
– TommyTommy (Dosh album)-Additional Information:"Airlift" contains a sample of Dosh and his friend covering "Run Like Hell" by Pink Floyd.... - Twistable Turnable Man: A Musical Tribute to Shel Silverstein - The Twistable, Turnable Man Returns (2010, Sugar Hill RecordsSugar Hill RecordsSugar Hill Records may refer to:*Sugar Hill Records , specializing in rap music*Sugar Hill Records , specializing in bluegrass and country music...
) - Muppets: The Green AlbumMuppets: The Green AlbumMuppets: The Green Album is a cover album of popular Muppet songs by various contemporary music artists. The album was released by Walt Disney Records on August 23, 2011 on CD and as a digital download in the iTunes Store....
- "'Bein' Green'" (2011, Walt Disney RecordsWalt Disney RecordsWalt Disney Records is a family music record label owned by the Walt Disney Company. Walt Disney Records was formed in 1956 as Disneyland Records. Before that time, Disney recordings were licensed out to a variety of other labels such as . It was Walt Disney’s brother Roy O...
) - NormanNorman (film)Norman is a 2011 drama film directed by Jonathan Segal. It stars Dan Byrd, Emily VanCamp, and Richard Jenkins. It airs at limited locations on October 21, 2011.-Plot:...
(Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2011, Mom + Pop Music) - "Bold Native (film) (Soundtrack)
External links
- Official site
- Andrew Bird collection at the Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
's live music archive - TED talks