Tag Archives: The Wooden Birds

06.28.11
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The Wooden Birds Premiere Tour Diary And Hit The Road

Tour diaries generally only interest die hard fans; the casual listener doesn’t necessarily care about what kind of pranks band members pull on each other or what their favorite food is. The Wooden Birds just released one of their own tour diaries to celebrate the beginning of the summer tour they kicked off in Phoenix, AZ on June 16th, but everyone can find something in it for themselves. Directed and narrated by front Andrew Kenny, this tour diary isn’t just a quick montage of random and silly video; it’s a story. And it’s told so well that Crawdaddy called Kenny “the indie rock Ira Glass.” Watch the video below:

But even better than just hearing about what tour life is like for The Wooden Birds would be to just catch them live supporting their album Two Matchsticks! Check the dates below to see if they’re coming near you in their summer-long trip around North America.

Here are their upcoming tour dates:

7/8 – Chicago, IL @ The Hideout (21+)
7/9 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewery (21+)
7/10 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake (all ages)
7/11 – Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo  (all ages)
7/12 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott (18+)
7/14 – New York, NY @ Mercury (21+)
7/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rock Shop (21+)
7/16 – Washington, DC @ DC9 (all ages)
7/17 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl (21+)
7/20 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk (all ages)

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04.28.11
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Matt Pond PA Releases ‘Spring Fools’ EP


Matt Pond PA recently released his Spring Fools EP with tracks such as “Love To Get Used,” “Human Beings,” “Lovers Always Win,” “Spring Fawn,” “Sugar Bush.” Speaking from strictly listening to the lead track “Love To Get Used” this EP will blaring out of headphones in this city everywhere. The track has a catchy, sway your head back and forth kind of beat and the lyrics will stick with you long after the mp3 is over. If you think you recognize that lovely lady voice it is Austin’s very own singer-songwriter Ariel Abshire. She perfectly compliments Pond’s vocals in this track which boasts that physical love may be the only truth in this world. Whether you agree or not, download the EP, give it a listen, and form your own opinion. The EP itself is dedicated to Andrew Kenney of The Wooden Birds, of which Matt Pond PA is now a full fledged member. Their new album “Two Matchsticks” will be dropping in June. Matt Pond PA will be performing a last-minute show on Thursday, April 28 at Watermark 800 Ocean Avenue Asbury Park, NJ. Doors @ 8pm. And it’s 21+.

See Matt Pond on tour with The Wooden Birds this summer:

June 16 Rhythm Room – Phoenix AZ

June 17 The Echo – Los Angeles CA

June 18 Soda Bar – San Diego CA

June 19 The Crepe Place – Santa Cruz CA

June 23 Sunset Tavern – Seattle WA

June 24 Doug Fir Lounge – Portland OR

June 25 Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco CA

July 8 Hideout – Chicago IL

July 9 Founders Brewery, Co. – Grand Rapids MI

July 10 Drake Hotel – Toronto ON

July 11 Casa Del Popolo – Montreal QC

July 12 Great Scott – Allston MA

July 14 Mercury Lounge – New York NY

July 15 The Rock Shop – Brooklyn NY

July 16 DC9 – Washington DC

July 17 THE EARL – Atlanta GA

July 20 The Mohawk – Austin TX

04.26.11
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The Wooden Birds Announce Tour and Drop New Single

Indie rockers The Wooden Birds have just announced they’re be going on tour in support of their new full length album, Two Matchsticks.  Led by Andrew Kenny of American Analog Set and Broken Social Scene, the band has also announced the release of previously unreleased songs.  You can listen to the title track of the new album right here: http://read.mtvhive.com/2011/04/18/song-the-wooden-birds-two-matchsticks/

Here are the spots you can see them on tour:

6/16 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room (all ages)
6/17 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo (18+)
6/18 – San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar (21+)
6/19 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Crepe Place (all ages)
6/23 – Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern (21+)
6/24 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir  (21+)
6/25 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill  (all ages)
7/8 – Chicago, IL @ The Hideout (21+)
7/9 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Founders Brewery (21+)
7/10 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake (all ages)
7/11 – Montreal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo  (all ages)
7/12 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott (18+)
7/14 – New York, NY @ Mercury (21+, 8pm)
7/15 – Brooklyn, NY @ Rock Shop (21+)
7/16 – Washington, DC @ DC9 (all ages)
7/17 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl (21+)
7/20 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk (all ages)

03.01.11
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The Wooden Birds Announce New Album and SXSW Shows

The Wooden Birds will be releasing their new album, Two Matchsticks, on June 7th via Barsuk Records! Frontman Andrew Kenny, who you may know as a former touring member of Broken Social Scene and a founding member of American Analog Set, wrote all the songs, performed all the instruments and recorded everything in a converted bedroom at home. The album features guest appearances by Ben Gibbard and members of Ola Podrida.

The Wooden Birds will be performing these new tracks during shows at Austin’s South By South West festival. If you’re lucky to be there, check the dates below to catch on their sets!

THE WOODEN BIRDS AT SXSW

Sunday 3/13 @ Club DeVille, Found Footage Festival, 8:30 (free show)

Thursday 3/17 @ Homeslice, 2:15 (free show)

Thursday 3/17 @ Red Eyed Fly, Barsuk Showcase, 10pm

Saturday 3/19 @ The Hilton, KUT performance, 11:30am (free show)

 

06.27.10
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Matt Pond PA “Starting”

Tonight I am going to see one of my favorite bands, Matt Pond PA. Here’s my little secret. For some reason I have NEVER seen MPPA live. This is beyond wierd isn’t it? I’m not exactly sure how this has happened, being I live in New York, as does the band, but we have unfortunate incidents, that every time for the past 5 years, when MPPA took the stage I either already had tickets to another show or I was on vacation. It seemed to be working against me. Good grief Charlie Brown.

I still remember the first time I discovered Matt Pond PA. It was 2005 and I was interning at big record label in Manhattan. Someone got fired, and as the intern I was, I got to clean out their cd collection, and keep what I wanted to, and put the rest in the trash. Nothing caught my eye but this mix someone had made the person oddly titled “Sunsetting.” Looking at the tracklist, I saw the good Matt Pond PA name on there, noticed it being familar, and took it. The song that was on there was “The Butcher,” and in my ever mess of a room, I didn’t listen to the mix for almost two weeks. It wasn’t until Sunday night two weeks later when I was watching Subteranean on MTV2, that they showed the MPPA video for “Closest (Look Out).” I’ve been hooked ever since.

Well tonight is the night that I get to experience first hand, MPPA at the Bowery Ballroom. With the recent release of The Dark Leaves (Polyvinyl), and some of the strongest songs Pond has ever written, it is sure to be an amazing night. Plus I am going to experience it with someone who I love dearly. I think it was all meant to happen at once.

Recently MPPA released the first video for the record, “Starting,” which features the new-ish lineup featuring the lovely Miss Leslie Sisson of the Wooden Birds (which she plays with Pond and Andrew Kenny formerly of American Analog Set), running away from a slow swerving car with glowing orbs. It MPPA fashion, it’s beautiful.

Matt Pond PA “Starting”

12.31.09
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Modern Mystery’s Top 25 Albums of 2009

 

1. The Wooden Birds-Magnolia
From the ashes of the classic indie band, American Analog Set, rose a new project from former frontman, Andrew “AK” Kenny, called The Wooden Birds. Shifting completely everything he’s done musicially, AK has come out with one of the most surprising releases of the year. Creating a record that is more folk than rock, no songs on the album contain any drums what-so-ever. The bass and vocals really take off and captivate you, the listener. The live sets of the song also include Matt Pond on guitar along with songstress Leslie Sisson. I’m not sure I’ve heard such a heart felt and warm record in the past 10 years.

2. Julian Casablancas- Phrazes for the Young
It’s been a long time since we heard from The Strokes as a unified band. A lot of fans were hesitant on the thought of a solo album by the charasmatic leader, Julian Casablancas, putting out music that doesn’t resemble his band at all. What a surprise it was when we found he took his love for a bit of 1980’s dance and incoporated it with his unforgettable voice and lyrics. The end result? One of the coolest records of the year. We’d expect no less from him.

3. James Husband- Parallax 1
It took 10 years for multi-instrumentalist and drummer from Of Montreal, James Husband, to create his solo album masterpiece. Husband is in the spotlight for the first time in his career and wow, is he certainly taking advantage of it. Providing one of the best indie pop records of the past year, he lets out a 60’s retro sound that no one can mess with. The end result is something as charming as it seems. Raw, catchy, and glorious.

4. Alvin Band-Mantis Preying
Rick  Schaier is not only an amazing drummer and artist, but he is also an extremely talented singer and songwriter. Schaier who spends most of  his time playing drums in The Miniature Tigers has begun a new chapter in his book in the form of ‘Alvin Band,’ this year and completely blew our minds. Blending a retro sound with updated electronics, this is one album you should pick up if you haven’t yet. The catchy hooks and vocals will only leave you wanting more. That my friends, is a good thing!

5. Bishop Allen- Grrr
It’s been a long night since Bishop Allen gained attention by two teenagers named Nick and Norah, and fans were at the edge of their seat wondering what the Brookyln line up would come up with next. Taking a further step into their brilliant indie pop sound, the band did not disappoint at all with Grrr. See it as the next chapter in the Bishop Allen movie, one that is bound to have many sequels in store.

6. Grizzly Bear-Veckatimest
Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you may have heard of a little band called Grizzly Bear. Somehow exploding this year, it was certainly one of the most highly anticipated albums of 2009. Every song is flawless. Catchy yet moody. Beautiful in every way. This album describes itself better than anyone ever could.

7. Bat for Lashes- Two Suns
Completely out of left field, the lovely miss Natasha from Bat for Lashes surprised us all this year with making a stunning, charming, and beautiful record. The combination of her voice and the spacey background music is enough to send chills down your spine. And it does just that. The haunting track “Daniel” captivated the attention of many, and the rest of the album is able to keep you around.

8. Flight of the Conchords-I Told You I Was Freaky
Yes, they are known for writing ‘funny’ songs, but on this record, FOTC became even witty and even more advanced it seems in their writing. Their songs, even though the lyrics are mostly ‘silly’, are composed perfectly from start to end. Jermaine and Bret are really on top of their game with this record. We can’t wait to hear more!

9. Phoenix-Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
This band always makes a great record, and their 2009 hit was no different. Everyone wanted a piece of Phoenix and boy, did they get them. This classic indie dance pop record was a must have for everyone who ‘knew what’s cool.’ Apparently, this was the world.

10. Girls-Girls
An unlikely hit, this retro indie duo shocked us all with such a raw and appealing debut album. This lo-fi record filled with melodies, doesn’t need any frills or thrills to make it great. It hold’s its own firmly which is a hard thing to mess with.

11. Cass McCombs-Catacombs
12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs- Its Blitz
13. Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Pains of Being Pure at Heart
14. Casper and the Cookies-Modern Silence
15. Headlights-Wildlife
16. Japandroids- Post Nothing
17. Cymbals Eat Guitars-Why There are Mountains
18. Kevin Devine- Brother’s Blood
19. Joan of Arc- Flowers
20. Passion Pit-Manners
21. The Antlers- Hospice
22. Loney Dear-Dear John
23. Neko Case-Middle Cyclone
24. The Mountain Goats- The Life of the World to Come
25. Dirty Projectors-Bitte Orca