The waiting is the hardest part. But that's all over now - Birdy is back! The second CD from the New York-based quintet called "Quarantine" was produced by Bob Perry (ex-Winter Hours and now solo artist on Cropduster Records) and recorded at Mixolidian and Chrometop studios from the summer of 2000 through the summer of 2001.
"This is a classic 'breakup' record inspired by real-life events," jokes Stephanie Seymour, singer and songwriter for Birdy. The lyrics are quite dark, but true to Birdy's form, the music is filled with strong melodies and lush harmonies that counterbalance the sentiment. "I'm a sucker for good pop music, in the vein of The Beatles, Crowded House, Aimee Mann...music like that really inspires me," says Seymour.
There are a few collaborations on "Quarantine," which is a departure from Birdy's first album, "Supernominal Paraphernalia."
All nine songs on that album were penned solely by Seymour. "Hold You Tonight" was co-written with Jeff Epstein from fellow Cropduster Records band The Other 99.
"Job Without Benefits" was co-written with Richy Vesecky, who writes with New York musician Frank Bango.
There is also a cover song, "Brompton Oratory," written by Nick Cave.
Seymour explains, "I felt that the lyrics expressed the frame of mind (and heart) I was in when I went through the end of my last relationship.
They are truly gut-wrenchingly sad words. So we put our own twist on the song, and I'm very happy with how it turned out."
Seymour has quite an impressive history as drummer with The Aquanettas, a seminal all-female group from the early '90s. The band released a full LP, "Love With The Proper Stranger," on Nettwerk/IRS Records in 1990 and toured the U.S. for two months that summer to support it.
1992 saw the release of the "Roadhaus" EP on Rockville Records. The band also recorded a few 12" singles on their own Prize Pagoda label in 1992 which were released in the U.K., and toured England, Scotland, Wales, and even the Shetland Islands that same year.
After The Aquanettas called it quits in 1994, Seymour became a member of Psychic Penguin, a New York-based group that mixed pop songs with four-part harmony and turned out extremely catchy tunes.
It was in this band that she first stepped up to the microphone, sharing center stage with her band mates, although still hidden behind a percussion setup. Birdy was formed in 1997, when she decided to leave the drums behind for good.
So what's in Birdy's future? More live shows, more great pop songs, and total world domination (and hopefully, no more bad breakups). You have been warned - Birdy rocks!
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.cropduster.comTrack List:
1. Quarantine
2. Job Without Benefits
3. Hold You Tonight
4. Please Don't Go
5. You Must Be Stupid
6. Don't Take My Soul
7. Send Up The Smoke
8. Brompton Oratory
9. Her Turn To Cry
10. Fix With Glue
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