The Wooden Birds
Encyclopedia
The Wooden Birds are a band from Austin, Texas
(with members also in Brooklyn, NY), led by former American Analog Set frontman, Andrew Kenny
, formed in 2008. The band's current lineup, which Andrew Kenny
introduces on stage as the "Hometown Fantasy Band", are Leslie Sisson (Western Keys
, American Analog Set guest artist, Matt Pond PA
) on lead guitar/vocals, Matt Pond (Matt Pond PA
) on guitar, and Sean Haskins on drums.
Their debut full length album Magnolia was released on Barsuk Records
(United States/Canada) and Morr Music
(Europe) in 2009. Magnolia received attention from such publications as Pitchfork Media
, Spin
, and The Washington Post
, with the track "Sugar" earning NPR
's "Song of the Day." Since their record release, The Wooden Birds have played SXSW and toured Europe and the United States multiple times (Europe with Grand Archives
, the U.S. with Other Lives
, Great Lake Swimmers
, The Clientele
, Dan Mangan
, and Broken Social Scene
), totaling over 100 live performances in less than a year. They have been known to cover one or two American Analog Set songs in their live set.
In 2010, an EP of demo tracks recorded by Kenny in his home in Brooklyn Heights in 2008 titled Montague Street EP was released by Insound
. The band's second album, Two Matchsticks, is set to be released in June 2011.
Former members of the band include David Wingo (Ola Podrida, David Gordon Green
film score composer) who sang backup on "Magnolia" along with Leslie Sisson, Michael Bell (Lymbyc Systym
) on drums during SXSW, Magnolia co-producer Chris Michaels as a touring guitarist, and Jody Suarez as a touring percussionist. Andrew Kenny
is also known for playing as a guest artist in The Album Leaf
, Her Space Holiday
, Styrofoam
, Ola Podrida, Arthur & Yu, and Broken Social Scene
.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
(with members also in Brooklyn, NY), led by former American Analog Set frontman, Andrew Kenny
Andrew Kenny
Andrew Kenny was the main singer/songwriter of the American indie/lo-fi band The American Analog Set. In 2004, he released a split EP in the Home Series with Benjamin Gibbard. In 2005, he contributed towards Broken Social Scene's 2005 self-titled album...
, formed in 2008. The band's current lineup, which Andrew Kenny
Andrew Kenny
Andrew Kenny was the main singer/songwriter of the American indie/lo-fi band The American Analog Set. In 2004, he released a split EP in the Home Series with Benjamin Gibbard. In 2005, he contributed towards Broken Social Scene's 2005 self-titled album...
introduces on stage as the "Hometown Fantasy Band", are Leslie Sisson (Western Keys
Western Keys
Western Keys is a band from Austin, Texas, led by singer Ben Dickey. Their first CD, Damage, was written in a few weeks and released on The Self-Starter Foundation on 10 September 2002. This EP featured seven songs, which has been categorized as alt-country or indie...
, American Analog Set guest artist, Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA is a New York based band formed in Philadelphia by singer-songwriter Matt Pond. They have released eight LPs and eight EPs since 1998....
) on lead guitar/vocals, Matt Pond (Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA
Matt Pond PA is a New York based band formed in Philadelphia by singer-songwriter Matt Pond. They have released eight LPs and eight EPs since 1998....
) on guitar, and Sean Haskins on drums.
Their debut full length album Magnolia was released on Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records
Barsuk Records is an independent record label based in Seattle, Washington, started and still managed by the members of the band This Busy Monster, Christopher Possanza and Josh Rosenfeld, who created the label in 1994 to release their band's material. Its logo is a drawing of a dog holding a...
(United States/Canada) and Morr Music
Morr Music
Morr Music is an independent record label based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1999 by Thomas Morr. Most artists on the label fall into the categories of intelligent dance music, electronica and dreampop, but all reflect Thomas Morr's personal taste...
(Europe) in 2009. Magnolia received attention from such publications as Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
, Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
, and The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, with the track "Sugar" earning NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
's "Song of the Day." Since their record release, The Wooden Birds have played SXSW and toured Europe and the United States multiple times (Europe with Grand Archives
Grand Archives
Grand Archives is an American indie rock band that formed in Seattle. They were originally called Archives and are led by principal songwriter Mat Brooke, formerly of Carissa's Wierd and Band of Horses.-The Grand Archives:...
, the U.S. with Other Lives
Other Lives (band)
Other Lives are an American indie rock band from Stillwater, Oklahoma. The band formed in 2004 as Kunek and released one album in 2006 under that name. Other Lives' self-titled album was released physically April 7, 2009 by TBD Records and digitally March 17, 2009. The album was recorded in Los...
, Great Lake Swimmers
Great Lake Swimmers
Great Lake Swimmers is a Canadian band built around the melodic folk rock songs of singer-songwriter Tony Dekker. Originally from Wainfleet, Ontario, the band is currently based in Toronto....
, The Clientele
The Clientele
The Clientele are a London-based British band with Alasdair MacLean on vocals and guitar, Mark Keen on drums, James Hornsey on bass and Mel Draisey on violin, keyboards, backing vocals and percussion....
, Dan Mangan
Dan Mangan
Daniel Mangan is a Canadian indie folk-rock singer-songwriter.-Early life:Mangan was born in Smithers, British Columbia. His family moved a fair amount, residing in both the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia - and primarily in his current home town of Vancouver...
, and Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
), totaling over 100 live performances in less than a year. They have been known to cover one or two American Analog Set songs in their live set.
In 2010, an EP of demo tracks recorded by Kenny in his home in Brooklyn Heights in 2008 titled Montague Street EP was released by Insound
Insound
Insound is an online CD, vinyl, digital, and music related merchandise retailer that focuses primarily on the sale of indie rock and music from other similar genres. The company is located in Greenpoint in Brooklyn, New York.- History :...
. The band's second album, Two Matchsticks, is set to be released in June 2011.
Former members of the band include David Wingo (Ola Podrida, David Gordon Green
David Gordon Green
David Gordon Green is an American filmmaker. He has directed dramas such as George Washington, All the Real Girls, and Snow Angels, as well as the thriller Undertow, all of which he wrote or co-wrote...
film score composer) who sang backup on "Magnolia" along with Leslie Sisson, Michael Bell (Lymbyc Systym
Lymbyc Systym
Lymbyc Systym is an instrumental band from Tempe, Arizona which formed in 2001, consisting of brothers Jared and Michael Bell. Their sound combines elements of instrumental rock and electronic music. Lymbyc Systym have toured with Broken Social Scene, The Books, Crystal Castles, The Album Leaf, ...
) on drums during SXSW, Magnolia co-producer Chris Michaels as a touring guitarist, and Jody Suarez as a touring percussionist. Andrew Kenny
Andrew Kenny
Andrew Kenny was the main singer/songwriter of the American indie/lo-fi band The American Analog Set. In 2004, he released a split EP in the Home Series with Benjamin Gibbard. In 2005, he contributed towards Broken Social Scene's 2005 self-titled album...
is also known for playing as a guest artist in The Album Leaf
The Album Leaf
The Album Leaf is an American solo musical project founded in San Diego, California in 1998 by Jimmy LaValle. He is known for his use of electronics, synthesizer and Rhodes piano...
, Her Space Holiday
Her Space Holiday
Her Space Holiday is the recording moniker of indietronic and indie rock artist Marc Bianchi.-History:Marc Bianchi began as a musician in the California hardcore scene. He was a part of Indian Summer and Mohinder before assuming the moniker "Her Space Holiday" in 1996...
, Styrofoam
Styrofoam
Styrofoam is a trademark of The Dow Chemical Company for closed-cell currently made for thermal insulation and craft applications. In 1941, researchers in Dow's Chemical Physics Lab found a way to make foamed polystyrene...
, Ola Podrida, Arthur & Yu, and Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
.