Editorial – April 28, 2016 at 10:01AM
Tags:_AMERICANA
In so many ways, we are a word weary culture, ever searching for ways to communicate in fewer and fewer words, letters, syllables…Our online, blogged out, you-tubed attention spans are truncated and fragmented like never before. Birds of Chicago, the collective centered around Allison Russell and JT Nero, reassert the simple notion – radical in these times – that beautiful words and music can still tap deep veins of emotion.
Stark, elemental imagery that feels like scripture, or a lost folk song recovered; the Birds draw heavily on the gospel tradition and the music feels like a new, secular gospel of sorts. For Birds of Chicago, every word counts. Every note counts. No gold-dusting, no filler. Music is the good news and Real Midnight, the band’s poignant new Joe Henry produced album, throbs with an urgency that feels quietly seismic.
Birds of Chicago was born in 2012 when Nero began writing for his vocal star-muse, Russell. Both were accomplished singer/songwriters with projects of their own, Nero with JT and the Clouds and Russell with the acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po’ Girl, but together there was an unmistakable chemistry. Nero had found the perfect voice for his rock and roll psalms. Russell moved from being a primary songwriter to an interpreter, and her simmering restraint is deeply refreshing to a landscape scorched by post Voice/American Idol vocal gymnastics and over-emoting.
On Real Midnight, Birds of Chicago alternate moody rock swagger with the ghostliest of soundscapes. Produced by Joe Henry, a man who’s expert blending of light and shadow is well known, the album is a melancholy – but never shoe gazing – suite, full of wayward, joyful, lonesome voices raised up against the night.
Music this raw and soul-rich demands to be experienced live, and Birds of Chicago have developed a fervent following, touring 200 nights a year since their formation in late 2012. For these Birds, singing for a room full of new people, hearts wide open, keeps off the cold and chases off the shadows. 2016 will find the band in constant motion – from sea to sea and beyond.
Stark, elemental imagery that feels like scripture, or a lost folk song recovered; the Birds draw heavily on the gospel tradition and the music feels like a new, secular gospel of sorts. For Birds of Chicago, every word counts. Every note counts. No gold-dusting, no filler. Music is the good news and Real Midnight, the band’s poignant new Joe Henry produced album, throbs with an urgency that feels quietly seismic.
Birds of Chicago was born in 2012 when Nero began writing for his vocal star-muse, Russell. Both were accomplished singer/songwriters with projects of their own, Nero with JT and the Clouds and Russell with the acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po’ Girl, but together there was an unmistakable chemistry. Nero had found the perfect voice for his rock and roll psalms. Russell moved from being a primary songwriter to an interpreter, and her simmering restraint is deeply refreshing to a landscape scorched by post Voice/American Idol vocal gymnastics and over-emoting.
On Real Midnight, Birds of Chicago alternate moody rock swagger with the ghostliest of soundscapes. Produced by Joe Henry, a man who’s expert blending of light and shadow is well known, the album is a melancholy – but never shoe gazing – suite, full of wayward, joyful, lonesome voices raised up against the night.
Music this raw and soul-rich demands to be experienced live, and Birds of Chicago have developed a fervent following, touring 200 nights a year since their formation in late 2012. For these Birds, singing for a room full of new people, hearts wide open, keeps off the cold and chases off the shadows. 2016 will find the band in constant motion – from sea to sea and beyond.
April 28 Puur Wit
Terheijden, Netherlands
http://ift.tt/21hgEti
APR 29 FRI
In the Woods
Baarn, The Netherlands
http://ift.tt/1SvfSXy
APR 30 SAT
Rhythm & Blues Night
Bettye LaVette Allen Stone Southern Culture on the Skids Cam Penner and Jon Wood Dave Mcgraw And Mandy Fer
Groningen, Netherlands
http://ift.tt/1SvfSXB
MAY 2 MON
The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival
Belfast, United Kingdom
http://cqaf.com/2016/
MAY 4 WED
The Old Queen’s Head – SOLD OUT!
London, United KingdomSOLD OUT
MAY 7 SAT
Moulin Blues Ospel
Gov’t Mule Devin Cuddy Band Joakim Tinderholt and His Band Jason Ricci and The Bad Kind
Ospel, Netherlands
http://ift.tt/21hgC4G
MAY 8 SUN
Cafe Trianon
Nijmegen, Netherlands
http://ift.tt/1SvfTe0
MAY 9 MON
Meneer Frits Eindhoven
Eindhoven, Netherlands
http://ift.tt/21hgEtr
(already past APR 23 Muziekclub N9, APR 24 Cobblestone - Sold Out APR 25 MON
Paradiso Amsterdam- Kleine Zaal
Amsterdam, Netherlands
http://ift.tt/21hgEtt
APR 26 TUE
Kloveniersdoelen
Middelburg, Netherlands
http://ift.tt/21hgCl5)
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