Andrew Bird Releases New Album

Things Are Really Great Here, Sort of...

Andrew Bird

After previously touring with the Handsome Family, an Americana duet out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Andrew Bird is releasing a collection of songs originally performed by the spirited couple of Brett and Rennie Sparks on his newest album, Things are Really Great Here, Sort of...  Bird is known for masterfully incorporating an assortment of instruments into his music and this record capitalizes on his ability to create a sound that is seldom replicated in music today.  Joining Bird on the album and on his upcoming tour will be Hands of Glory, a collection of talented musicians that includes Tift Merritt, Alan Hampton (bass), Eric Heywood (pedal steel) and Kevin O'Donnell (drums).

Andrew Bird is a musician/songwriter out of Chicago, Illinois.  Bird got involved in music at a very early age by learning to play the violin.  Focusing primarily on classical music as a young musician, he slowly began to study and incorporate other genres of music into his already skilled classical background.  Bird emerged as a solo artist with the release of his first recording, Weather Systems in 2003. In the years that followed, Bird has been featured on the soundtrack for the 2010 film, Norman, and assisted in the production the soundtrack for The Muppets.  Such versatility in music production and lyrical creativity has propelled Bird in popularity with each addition to his already impressive collection of recordings.

The release of Things Are Really Great Here, Sort of....hopes to bring similar success to that of his previous two albums, I Want to See Pulaski at Night and Hands of Glory.  Unlike the mostly instrumental, I Want to See Pulaski at Night, this record encompasses all of Bird's talents as both a musician and a singer.  From the a cappella start of the record in "Cathedral in the Dell," Bird establishes his presence by captivating listeners with his dynamic voice.  Followed by the playful "Tin Foiled," which was pre-released by Pitchfork before the album released on June 3. It provides an upbeat toe-tapping rhythm that focuses on the unique fiddle playing that has become a trademark for Bird over the past 11 years.  Through the progression of the album, Bird utilizes the tremendous talents of each individual in Hands of Glory to create a harmonious collaboration from start to finish.  For a conclusion to the record, Bird covers the Handsome Family's "Far From Any Road," which may sound familiar from being featured as the theme song for the show, True Detective.  Things Are Really Great Here, Sort of...was released on June 3 and is available on iTunes or can be purchased by visiting Andrew Bird's website.

Andrew Bird and Hands of Glory will begin their tour with a special performance in New York City on June 6.  The Triangle is featured on Bird's tour with a performance scheduled for Cat's Cradle in Carborro on Tuesday, June 10.  Tickets for this event are already sold out and promises to be a special evening for those fortunate to have a ticket.  Other popular stops for the tour include major festivals such as Bonnaroo, Telluride, and Summerfest Music Festival in NYC.  You can find more information on Andrew Bird and future tour dates check out www.andrewbird.net.