On of the finer releases this year (in another very fine year, we would like to add) has been the remarkable début album from BIRD. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, it is a set of songs which begs to listened to over and over again as it reveals it's nuances. Taking in folk, electronica and goth the influences are hidden deep within the surface creating an album which sounds truly original. Adding to the mystique is a rather unsearchable name on Google with BIRD and so in an effort to find out more about this band Echoes and Dust caught up with Adele Emmas to ask her a few questions.
(((o))): Can you tell me a bit of history about the band, how you all met, previous bands, influences etc?
Lex (drums) and I have been friends for years and had been in previous bands together growing up, we decided to start BIRD after I'd been demoing some stuff and we thought the songs had potential. Sian was first to join after answering a Facebook post that'd I'd put up advertising for a guitarist, she came along for a practice and we just hit it off right away. In terms of influences, the type of sound we were going for and what we were trying to create, it just came really naturally to us without the need to explain anything. Lex, Sian and I crafted BIRD for while before we realised that we needed an extra pair of hands and that the music we were playing was only taking us so far, so we met Christian (bass/synth) through a friend and he's been a great asset to the band ever since. I think for the past year, since it's been the four of us things have really gone from strength to strength.
(((o))): It's been a rather hectic year for you with praise coming from all over. Has this affected you as a band, how do you feel about all this and has it changed you in any way?
It's great to hear the positive things people have been saying about us and the album and that's why you do it I guess, you do it because of a need within yourself but also because you want to make people feel something and to relate to your music. Knowing that there's people out there enjoying what you've created really spurs you on and makes you realise that there's actually something to work for. If the praise continues then that's amazing but I'd hope we'd always stay grounded and never change as a result of that.
(((o))): Let's talk about the album. How did you hit upon the sound you have?
We were in the studio for about 8 months in total, at first we went in with a pre-decided track listing and started recording, but then a few songs in we stopped and realised the direction that it was going in wasn't right and didn't feel natural to us. It was a question of 'Shall we put songs on the album which are more accessible and may appeal to more people? Or shall we put the songs on there that may be more left field but they're what we love and what we feel is right?' So we went with the latter and ended up scrapping the first few songs and started all over again. I think it's quite an intense and emotional album and perhaps we were a bit dubious about letting all of that out there but we did and we're glad of it.
(((o))): What were the primary influences whilst writing and recording, did you jam together or bring something to the table, so to speak?
I'll usually write or demo stuff at home and then go in to the practice room with a hook or a full song and we'll all build on it from there. Every person in the band is mandatory and each brings their own special, integral thing to the table. The primary influences were a mixture of things, a lot of it was about personal life experience but put across in more of a vague, dream like way. The running theme throughout the album is about the yin and yang of life, the darkness and light of things.
(((o))): There's a very organic sound to the album which is strange considering how much electronica is actually on there. How do you straddle that line between the organic and the electronic without succumbing to that awfully named genre folktronica?
It's a difficult one, it's taken us a long time to get away from the 'folk' label because our early stuff was very stripped back and just involved an acoustic guitar and drums, we didn't even know how to use pedals back then! And we were pretty inexperienced, just trying to find our way in the dark a bit. But our stuff is so different now and anyone that comes to see us live soon realises that we're not the delicate band that we used to be. When putting us in to a genre people usually use the world 'ethereal' because there is that quality to it but I don't think anyone really knows what genre to put us in!
(((o))): We must talk about the lyrics, they are an integral part of the BIRD sound. Where does the inspiration for them come from? Do you write the lyrics and then put them to music or does it work the other way around?
It can go either way really, sometimes the lyrics and melody will come first or it can be the other way round with instrumentation first and words secondary. I always carry a notebook around with me just in case I think of some lyrics on the go and need to get them down, or I'll even be walking down the road singing a melody in to my phone or something! But when writing a song it's played out in a very visual way in my head, almost like a film real and there'll be a setting, location, characters and everything, I think that's why our music can create quite a lot of imagery, I'd like to think the lyrics help with that
(((o))): The lyrics seem to delve into a dark heart sometimes, 'Bullet' springs to mind as being one of the darkest and interestingly one soaked in the blues. Is the darkness where you like to dwell or do you look for the light too?
It isn't a conscious decision to write dark lyrics or to dwell too much on that side of things but I guess that's just what comes naturally when writing. Of course light is important too but I don't think I'll ever be a person that writes about how happy and fantastic everything may be, even if it is, I guess we just find the melancholy of music much more interesting!
(((o))): Nature seems to be an important part too with trees, mountains and rain all getting a mention. Coming from Liverpool where does this yearning for nature come from?
I think being by the sea and in the country is a really important thing as it's good for the soul. I spent summers sailing as a kid so spent a lot of time by the sea which I think has really leaked through in to the music, there's something about the open air and water which just gives you a massive sense of clarity and good head-space to think. But nature has always been a big component in my life and in writing, this natural beauty that's all around us, man made things don't seem to have the same effect!
(((o))): Are there songs you don't feel brave enough to release just yet? What are the plans for the next album or is it a case of enjoying the ride for the time being?
I think most songs that go out there can make you feel a bit uneasy at times, songs are very personal things about your life and things you've been through so it's almost like you're giving a bit of yourself away for everyone to see, but I find it to be quite a positive and cathartic process.
In terms of the new album we've got a few ideas and bits of songs here and there, but at the moment it's just about trying to gather your experiences and figuring out what it is you want to say next. We wouldn't want there to be too much time before the next album is out though as we like to keep ourselves busy! But we've a feeling the next ones going to be quite different.
(((o))): Your music is very cinematic at times, what are your favourite film soundtracks?
Ooh this is a great question as I love soundtracks! It'd be - The Hours OST by Philip Glass, The Fountain OST by Clint Mansell and The Proposition OST by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, The Virgin Suicides OST by Air and Yo La Tengo did a compilation soundtrack called They Shoot, We Score which is always good to sleep to! The Donnie Darko soundtrack is pretty cool too.
(((o))): As it's festival season and you're hitting a fair few, if you could curate one who would you have playing?
We'd have Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Leonard Cohen, Kate Bush, Bat For Lashes, Warpaint, The Cocteau Twins, The War On Drugs, The Beta Band, John Maus, Slowdive, The Cure, Angel Olsen, Savages, Portishead, PJ Harvey and then we'd get a load of our mates from various other bands around the UK and Liverpool to come and play and have a big party too! Reckon they'll all be up for it? I'd definitely buy a ticket …
(((o))): and finally...what is your favourite biscuit? (that's the Smash Hits question)
Got to be hobnobs, they're lethal
(((o))): ….plus any message you would like to leave our readers at Echoes and Dust
Create something!
So there we have it, some of the mysteries of BIRD revealed. Intriguingly there are more questions raised which adds to the, yes we may as well say it, ethereal nature of the band. My Fear and Me stands alone as an album of such gravitational power that we only have to wonder where they will head next. For want of a metaphor we can safely assume that BIRD have taken flight and the horizon is now their ultimate goal.
