I love these guys… I came across them a while ago now, and with each listen I enjoy them more and more. I’ve kept them to myself for too long now, and finally I’m writing to let the world know there is hope yet! [well, at least for new music!!]

Who are the bowerbirds?

Members: Phil Moore, Beth Tacular, and Mark Paulson.

Musically, they’re pretty much on their own – this is down to two things:

1. Their choice of instrumentation (a guitar, an accordion, and a drum).
2. Phil Moore’s voice, laced with intricate melodies, excellent lyrics, and really carrying each of the tracks from start to finish.

I’ve listened to their material too many times to remember, and also watched videos of the group, and I have to say they have “that something” about them. They really capture feeling and sounds as good live as they do recorded. Phil instantly becomes a likable character, very charismatic and very natural – infact, the whole group have a real sense of honesty about them, which is really refreshing [no jumped up lead singer wearing a predictable topman-esque tee, blazer & jeans combo :p ].

Musically, the music is quite sparse [there are only three members after all] but what the music lacks by way of instrumentation / additional mastering effects, it makes up for in emotion.. creating huge space and intimacy within each track. The arrangement of most tracks seem to have been written as if to score a film, or tell a story. Sometimes warming and close, other times distant and pastoral, but always keeping us [the listener] intrigued and wanting more.

Best of the Bowerbirds

Bowerbirds – In Our Talons

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Bowerbirds – Bur Oak

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Both of these tracks feature on their first ep released in 2006 “Danger At Sea“, and on their recently re-released album “Hymns For A Dark Horse” on US ‘Dead Oceans‘ Records.

Where Can I Buy Their Material?

You can, should and will buy their album right now [yes, that is a threat!], don’t even think about when your next payday is.. just click, buy, and come back and thank me later..

The Bowerbirds – Hymns For A Dark Horse

Other Links:
The Bowerbirds Official Website

Lately I’m becoming more and more aware of just how much info we have thrown at us on a daily basis.

I’ve heard the term “life stream”, which is currently a buzz word for social aggregation type platforms, but it seems we’re living in more of a life torrent, and there’s no sign of slowing down any time soon.

Everybody seems to be ready and waiting to jump onto the next big thing, but nobody seems to be enjoying the moment. Gone are the days of buying an album [I could end this sentence here] and listening to it over and over for months.

I’ll openly admit to downloading music, I’m a “try before buy” guy, but I actually DO buy (just this morning I ordered another 2 cds (‘Elbow – Seldom Seen Kid‘ & ‘Grizzly Bear – Yellow House‘) – unlike a lot of people I know that simply just download infinite albums, and never reward the artists they like that put their hearts and souls into their work.

For me, buying a new album is still a great experience. Every night in bed I listen to my iPod, playing new material I’ve been working on, or a new download/CD I’m into. I love to indulge myself with new music, and really become engrossed. I have a great set of studio reference headphones to be sure I hear every aspect of the music, I’ll take out the insert and read about the band, the lyrics, the instruments used, who plays what, and the “thank you” section. On top of that you’ve the artwork, which normally adds to the whole ‘feel’ of an album (think Stanley Donwood / Thom Yorke’s artwork for Radiohead releases).

With so much information floating around [and being stuffed into every orifice possible by any vehicle (mail, email, phone calls, answer messages, TV ads, text messages, town square survey vultures, Radio commercials, etc] it’s more and more evident that we have less and less time.

As with anything in such volume & diversity, it’s only natural people will find it increasingly difficult to focus, and so I hope we never loose the ability of finding ways to indulge ourselves in what we love, carve out our own personalities, and enjoy being able to find escapism (in any form) from the day to day grind that is life on planet earth.

Ok, As mentioned earlier, here’s a sample of the new track “Making White Noise”.

Check it out below, and let me know what you think.. would be great to get some feedback on this guy

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Right then.. off to the gym.. au revoir, and have a great Sunday