Front Page Reviews & AIR
Artist In Residence - November 2011 - Birds & Batteries
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San Francisco-based Birds & Batteries are drawing on their energetic, aviary nomenclature and rising, rising. They are selling out shows in SF, sneaking songs onto soundtracks, and touring with Peter Wolf Crier (Jagjaguwar). They've got three albums worth of lush, adventurous, and mind-bending stuff in the bag--and a fourth LP, Stray Light, is on the way. The new stuff is purportedly the future filtered through synth prisms and green dappled light. Their working on it at Tiny Telephone Studios (John Vanderslice) with the help of engineer Jay Pellicci (Deerhoof). The album aims to be a funky and classic-sounding collection of frontman and songwriter Mike Sempert's best songs yet. Batteries included.
Their most recent offering was Panorama (2010, Spune/ Velvet Blue Music): a stealthy mix of organic, electronic, pop and experimental stuff that conjured up big skies and strange landscapes, while not hiding a love for Harry Nilsson, ELO, and David Byrne. Its an album that gives up a bit of irony in exchange for empathy--and some alchemy: its not easy to create a formula for blending Sempert's classic folk-ish voice with synth textures and futuristic indie energies. When pressed for a simple summary, Sempert once described the sound as "Art-rock meets AM radio."
Birds & Batteries' Up To No Good EP (2009, Eightmaps) explored synth-funk, Bowie's Scary Monsters, and P-funk. The lead track, "Lightning UTNG", was featured on Gossip Girl, 90210, MTV and Fuel TV.
B&B is no stranger to the road. Their spring tour brought them to several festivals, including SXSW, Noise Pop (SF), Foburg (New Orleans), 35 Conferette (Denton), Mission Creek (IC), and Switchboard (SF) as headliners. They've shared the stage with The Cave Singers, Tapes n' Tapes, Two Gallants, Clues, Janelle Monae, The Besnard Lakes, White Williams, Telegraph Canyon, Movitz, Memory Tapes and many more.
Sempert is joined by Christopher Walsh (guitar), Jill Heinke (bass), and Andrew Maguire (drums).
Mule Variations' interview with Birds & Batteries coming November 7th.
*Free Downloads*
From the forthcoming EP: UNFOLD
http://soundcloud.com/birdsandbatteries/01-living-through-pictures
While I'm at it, I wanted to bring the wonderful Jay William Henderson to Mule Variations' readers attention. I recently had the pleasure of completing string and brass arrangements for Jay William Henderson's new album. I'm extremely proud of these arrangements and its been a real pleasure to be a part of Jay's album. I can't wait until its all mixed, mastered and out in the world so we can share it with you folks. Meanwhile, check out Jay's demos, his voice and songs are beautiful.
http://jaywilliamhenderson.bandcamp.com/album/demos
As you listen, imagine these songs backed by an orchestra. Now you're getting the picture...
i really like "strange kind of mirror". a fantastic tune. it's restrained in all the right places, and it's lyrically potent in it's simplicity. these are so hard to do in songs, yet b n b does it. for the last 3 weeks, its the first song i listen to when i wake up on the first free morning after a long work week. love it.
Dear Mule Variations Readers,
We're honored to premier Travis Vick's cover of our song, The Villain here at Mule Variations. Travis is a musical force with a new album in the works. You can find out more about him here:
http://tinyurl.com/79qu7u3
His version of The Villain is part of an EP he released called "Friends" in which he covers songs written by friends and family of his. I was really happy to be included. Hope you enjoy it.
ps. its located just above our Bio on this page.
Oui.
dear Mule Variations readers,
thank you for listening , watching and reading. we really appreciate all the positive feedback. we'll be adding some more videos to the collection over the next week.
cheers,
-m
melikes. the musical flavors remind me a little of the Walkmen....and that's always a good thing.
Holy shit! Richard Manuel has a son? It is a dream come true. I first heard these fellows on 90.3 Newton now here they are. I am alpha music nerd. Love the videos such a treat. Can't wait to catch the interview I am dying here. Thanks Mule thanks Birds and batteries. boo yeah
What a kind comparison. Richard Manuel is one of my favorites of all time. Used to do a cover of Tears of Rage back in the day. Thanks Chris.
-m
thanks for turning me on to B and B. Loving Panorama. When does the new album hit?
Thanks Shifty. Not sure yet when its dropping, but hoping for summer 2012. We're in the process of finding a home for the album.
Cheers!
-Mike
this is such great music! pure and simple love.
seems almost effortless. sign me up
this band just knocked me out - thanks y'all
Big warm welcome to Birds and Batteries. Thanks for making the trip, lady and gentlemen. The Mule loves you.
brilliant video, great song. love the hair dryers. first time i've heard your stuff --- so glad to know about you guys.
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