Music for Dead Birds

Music for Dead Birds are an anti-folk band from Galway and County Mayo, Ireland. Its members are Jimmy Monaghan (vocals, guitar) and Dónal Walsh (drums).[1][2]

Music for Dead Birds
Music for Dead Birds performing at the Roisin Dubh, Galway.
Background information
OriginGalway, Ireland
GenresIndie folk, lo fi, indie rock, anti-folk
Instrumentsvoice, guitar, drums
Years active2007 – present
LabelsRusted Rail
Websitewww.musicfordeadbirds.eu
MembersJimmy Monaghan, Dónal Walsh
Past membersBrianna Monaghan

Debut album and criticism

In April, 2009, Music for Dead Birds released their debut album "And then it rained for seven days" on the Irish independent record label Rusted Rail.[3] The album was self produced by the band and was mainly recorded using a 4-track tape deck. General reception of the album from critics was good, Foxy Digitalis commented : " The additional album info describes the recording as taking place in "various sheds, attics & bedrooms in Galway and Mayo." The end result represents clear intentions and highly creative song writing and recording techniques."[4] However, it was also criticised for its lo-fi quality.[5] The song Four Years From Now went on to feature on the soundtrack of the German Science Fiction movie Centerland, which was released by Jellyfant Records in 2013.[6]

"The Pope's Sister"

In October 2011 the group released a new 10 track album titled "The Pope's Sister". The album was a departure from their usual, acoustic based sound.[7] AU Magazine said : "Over ten short tracks – each one as good as the next – Jimmy Monaghan and co meld Beta Band-esque charm with boldly erratic time signatures and disaffected fuzz."[8] Terrascope also praised the album stating: "By the time you get to “Release the Dogs” you find you are fully immersed in the album, the twisted guitar lines hooking you in with relentless ease."[9] It was listed by Irish radio DJ Dan Hegarty as one of the top 50 Irish albums of 2011.[10]

"Vitamins"

The group's third album "Vitamins" was released on 17 April 2014, by the band's own Ghost Home Recordings label, as both a Pay what you want digital download and a limited edition CD run of 100 copies.[11] The album was recorded in one weekend at Data Studios, County Kerry, with recording engineer Tadgh Healy.[12] Critical reception of the album was mixed, with Irish website Goldenplec.com referring to it as a "flawed project",[13] while in a more positive review Ptolemaic Terrascope opined: "The sudden stop/starts, so beloved of Seattle residents, do sometimes get a little wearing, but it's never less than intriguing listening, and the good songs have their own chutzpah."[14] Lead track The Farmer's Corn was broadcast by 2fm in Ireland[15] and 2SER in Australia.[16] A music video was produced for the track Magic Witch which received some media attention for its dark content.[17]

Live

They have given live performances regularly, often as an opening act for artists such as Lite (band), Angus & Julia Stone[18] Woodpigeon (band),[19] And So I Watch You From Afar[20] & Girl Band (Irish band)[21] in Galway & Mayo. They have also appeared at 93 Feet East in London,[22] The Space (Connecticut)[23] & The Living Room in New York.[24]

Discography

Albums

EP's

  • "The Day The Water Ran Out", 2009. CD EP.[26]
  • "Black Tides Falling", 2010. Digital EP.[27]
  • "Your Brand New Life", 2015. CD EP.[28]
  • "Nail & Tooth EP", 2017. Digital EP [29]

Singles

  • "English Weed/What A Waste", 2015. Digital single.[30]
  • "Summer in Suburbia/Untied", 2020. Digital single [31]

Compilations

  • Ball of Wax Vol. 12 [32]
  • Eardrums Music compilation [33]
  • Ball of Wax Vol. 36 [34]
  • Centerland OST, 2013

References
  1. Andrews, Kernan (9 April 2009). "Music For Dead Birds to release debut mini-album". Galway Advertiser.
  2. ATL (22 February 2012). "BBC – Across the Line: That New Band Smell – Deerstalker". BBC.
  3. "Rusted Rail – Music for Dead Birds". www.rustedrail.com.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Music For Dead Birds release new album".
  8. "Music for Dead Birds - The Pope's Sister". Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  9. "© Terrascope Rumbles for March 2012". www.terrascope.co.uk.
  10. "Dan's Tope 50 irish Albums of 2011". Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  11. "Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Music for Dead Birds – "A Better View" | Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly".
  12. "Vitamins: The recording of".
  13. "Music for Dead Birds - Vitamins | Review | Album Review".
  14. "© Terrascope Rumbles for August 2014".
  15. "Dan Hegarty - the Alternative Monday 15 December 2014". RTÉ.ie.
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. "Watch: Music for Dead Bird's song, Magic Witch". RTÉ.ie. 6 November 2014.
  18. "St Stephen's Night spectacular at Finbar Hoban presents".
  19. "Shows – Woodpigeon-Songbook – Page 30". www.woodpigeon-songbook.com.
  20. "The Mayo News". www.mayonews.ie.
  21. "Girl Band come to Garbo's in Castlebar next Saturday".
  22. "HOG RECORDS PRESENTS: MUSIC ARCADE – NEW KID IN TOWN + CRISTOPHER JOHNSON + JIMMY MONAGHAN + FORTLINE + MORE TBC". Eventful.
  23. "Glint – Ribbons – Half Estatic – Music for Dead Birds". Eventful.
  24. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. "music for dead birds – vitamins". www.themodernfolk.net.
  26. http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/guitar14.html
  27. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. "Music For Dead Birds to open October Citóg gigs".
  29. http://www.puremzine.com/music-for-dead-birds-nail-tooth-ep/
  30. "Watch: Music For Dead Birds – English Weed". 10 August 2015.
  31. "Irish Tracks of the Week - September 4th". 4 September 2020.
  32. "Volume 12 – Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly". ballofwax.org.
  33. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. "Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Music for Dead Birds – "A Better View" – Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly". ballofwax.org.
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