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 | |
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![]() Music for Dead Birds performing at the Roisin Dubh, Galway. | |
Background information | |
Origin | Galway, Ireland |
Genres | Indie folk, lo fi, indie rock, anti-folk |
Instruments | voice, guitar, drums |
Years active | 2007 – present |
Labels | Rusted Rail |
Website | www.musicfordeadbirds.eu |
Members | Jimmy Monaghan, Dónal Walsh |
Past members | Brianna 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
- "And then it rained for seven days" 3" CD Mini-Album, 2009
- "The Pope's Sister" CD Album, 2011
- "Vitamins" CD/Digital, 2014[25]
- "Pagan Blessings" Digital, 2018
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
References
- Andrews, Kernan (9 April 2009). "Music For Dead Birds to release debut mini-album". Galway Advertiser.
- ATL (22 February 2012). "BBC – Across the Line: That New Band Smell – Deerstalker". BBC.
- "Rusted Rail – Music for Dead Birds". www.rustedrail.com.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Music For Dead Birds release new album".
- "Music for Dead Birds - The Pope's Sister". Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
- "© Terrascope Rumbles for March 2012". www.terrascope.co.uk.
- "Dan's Tope 50 irish Albums of 2011". Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
- "Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Music for Dead Birds – "A Better View" | Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly".
- "Vitamins: The recording of".
- "Music for Dead Birds - Vitamins | Review | Album Review".
- "© Terrascope Rumbles for August 2014".
- "Dan Hegarty - the Alternative Monday 15 December 2014". RTÉ.ie.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Watch: Music for Dead Bird's song, Magic Witch". RTÉ.ie. 6 November 2014.
- "St Stephen's Night spectacular at Finbar Hoban presents".
- "Shows – Woodpigeon-Songbook – Page 30". www.woodpigeon-songbook.com.
- "The Mayo News". www.mayonews.ie.
- "Girl Band come to Garbo's in Castlebar next Saturday".
- "HOG RECORDS PRESENTS: MUSIC ARCADE – NEW KID IN TOWN + CRISTOPHER JOHNSON + JIMMY MONAGHAN + FORTLINE + MORE TBC". Eventful.
- "Glint – Ribbons – Half Estatic – Music for Dead Birds". Eventful.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "music for dead birds – vitamins". www.themodernfolk.net.
- http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/guitar14.html
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Music For Dead Birds to open October Citóg gigs".
- http://www.puremzine.com/music-for-dead-birds-nail-tooth-ep/
- "Watch: Music For Dead Birds – English Weed". 10 August 2015.
- "Irish Tracks of the Week - September 4th". 4 September 2020.
- "Volume 12 – Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly". ballofwax.org.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - "Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Music for Dead Birds – "A Better View" – Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly". ballofwax.org.