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Karin Mallory Presents in association with Flying Under Radar and Vermont Festivals, LLC
Birds of Chicago
Thursday January 18, 2018
Gospel-Infused Rock 'n' Roll Poetry
Birds of Chicago, the collective centered around Allison Russell and JT Nero, reassert the simple notion, radical in these times, that beautiful words and music can still tap deep veins of emotion. Whether touring as a duo or with the full family band (as they will at The Opera House on January 18th,) Nero and Russell have emerged as two of the most compelling new voices in North American Roots music.
They say, "Birds of Chicago was born in 2012 when Nero began writing for his vocal star-muse, Russell. Both were accomplished singer/songwriters with projects of their own, Nero with JT and the Clouds and Russell with the acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po' Girl, but together there was an unmistakable chemistry. Nero had found the perfect voice for his rock and roll psalms. Russell moved from being a primary songwriter to an interpreter, and her simmering restraint is deeply refreshing to a landscape scorched by post Voice/American Idol vocal gymnastics and over-emoting."
The band has been lauded for its poetic lyrics and harmonies, and a sound steeped in Americana, country, soul and bluegrass-flavored rock. Multi-instrumentalists, Nero plays guitar and percussion while Russell plays clarinet, banjo, ukulele and guitar. Stark, elemental imagery that feels like scripture, or a lost folk song recovered; the Birds draw heavily on the gospel tradition and the music feels like a new, secular gospel of sorts. For Birds of Chicago, every word counts. Every note counts. No gold-dusting, no filler. Music is the good news and Real Midnight, the bands poignant new Joe Henry produced album, throbs with an urgency that feels quietly seismic. "Our music, from its start, has been about staking out and savoring moments of hope and joy and redemption in a turbulent - and often cruel - world," the band writes in its Kickstarter campaign.
Music this raw and soul-rich demands to be experienced live, and Birds of Chicago have developed a fervent following, touring 200 nights a year since their formation in late 2012. For these Birds, singing for a room full of new people, hearts wide open, keeps off the cold and chases off the shadows. "Playing live music is kind of a drug for me," Nero is quoted in an interview with COLUMBUS ALIVE, "We try to keep things very intimate and un-precious... A good show should take you through the whole grizzly spectrum of human emotions. There's bitterness, there's hope, there's laughs, and you should get choked up a couple of times."
Live, Birds of Chicago are pure magic.
"Russell's voice is a wonderful weapon and the band cooks like demons crossing over gospel and rock with ease. JT's voice is harsher and with more drawl and it is a brilliant counterpoint to the Po' Girl's throaty and soulful contralto."
-- Andy Snipper Music-News.com
"For several years Russell and Nero's respective bands, Po Girl (Vancouver, BC) and JT and the Clouds (Chicago, IL), have collaborated extensively, but on 2011's Mountains/Forests, released under the JT Nero banner, they tapped into the true, bewitching power of their voices together on an entire record. Nero's fractured country-soul voice wrapped in Russell's silver and gold tones, is a fine thing. Not too perfect, not at all saccharine, you'll hear echoes of mountain gospel, street corner doo-wop, and classic soul. Accompanied by just a banjo and a guitar, it's haunting. Fired by the band, it's a full tilt revival."
-- Asheville Music Guide
"Though the group sometimes swells with additional players, at its core is the collaboration between J.T. Nero and his wife Allison Russell. His is the primary songwriting voice, though she also occasionally writes, and hers is the dominant singing voice, though they make ample space for their vocal interplay. Nero and Russell like to describe the music they make as "secular gospel." (earthly tunes that have the power to connect people). As it turns out, that descriptor is well-earned: They show us a way to fully live with the awareness that nothing's forever and everything's at stake."
-- Jewly Hight, NPR Music
Visit: http://www.birdsofchicago.com
Birds of Chicago welcome opening act, Hayley Reardon. Born in 1996 just outside of Boston, Massachusetts, Hayley Reardon discovered a passion for writing folk songs on her mothers old guitar at a very young age. She quickly established a name for herself in the storied Cambridge, Massachusetts folk scene.
Reardon was named a Bostonian of the Year by the Boston Globe Magazine in 2012 in celebration of not only her music but her work to use it as a vessel for empowerment. With a voice that is distinctively rich and a contemplative sincerity in her songwriting, Reardon has far more in common with Patty Griffin, Lucinda Williams, and Tracy Chapman than many of todays young pop singer/songwriters, boasting a lyrical and melodic weight far beyond her years.
Performer Magazine describes her music as brilliantly moving folk/pop with a lyrical depth and soul, while American Songwriter Magazine refers to Numb and Blue, the lead single from Wayfindings, as a melancholy little masterpiece.
Her latest album, entitled Good (Fall 2016 release) was entirely fan-funded by a highly successful Kickstarter campaign. Produced by Lorne Entress (Lori McKenna, Catie Curtis, Erin McKeown), Good is a dazzling reflection of a period of immense growth and change, as lush arrangements surround the heart felt and humble rawness of Hayleys writing.
Visit: http://www.hayleyreardon.com/#about
As always, partial proceeds from this concert will be donated to a non-profit. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia,affecting 5.4 million Americans. The disease swiftly robs patients of their memories and other brain functions, forcing most to live out their final years in nursing homes.
For some reason, the area of our brains that respond to music seem to escape unscathed from the ravages of Alzheimers disease. Studies have shown that music often helps to reduce agitation and improve behavioral issues that are common in the middle-stages of the disease. Even in the late-stages of Alzheimer's, a person may be able to tap a beat or sing lyrics to a song from childhood. Music provides a way to connect, even after verbal communication has become difficult. There's something about music that cuts through right up until the very end of the disease. Familiar music from the past can help people with dementia feel at home. It calms them, it increases socialization, and it decreases the need for mood controlling medications.
MUSIC & MEMORY is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the lives of the elderly or infirm through digital music technology, vastly improving quality of life. The organization trains nursing home staff and other elder care professionals, as well as family caregivers, to create and provide personalized playlists using iPods enabling those struggling with Alzheimer's, dementia and other cognitive and physical challenges to reconnect with the world through music-triggered memories.
By providing access and education, and by creating a network of MUSIC & MEMORY Certified organizations, the organization aims to make this form of personalized therapeutic music a standard of care throughout the health care industry. Tony Lewis, President and CEO, Cobble Hill Health Care in Brooklyn, New York asserts that "despite the enormous sums of money spent on mood- and behavior-altering medications that are often not particularly effective, nothing compares to these iPods when it comes to improving quality of life."
Partial proceeds from this concert will be donated to MUSIC & MEMORY. The cause is deeply personal for Allison, Hayley and me. All of of our grandmothers were afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and/or dementia.
WE WILL BE COLLECTING GENTLY-USED IPODS AT THE CONCERT! IF YOU HAVE ANY THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER USING AND WOULD LIKE TO DONATE TO MUSIC & MEMORY PLEASE BRING THEM ALONG!
OPERA HOUSE: The 1926 Bellows Falls Opera House underwent a $3.7 million renovation in 2004-2006. The 550-seat theatre features comfortable seating with extra leg room.
The Opera House is in the middle of downtown Bellows Falls, accessed by Rockingham Street from one end of town and Westminster Street from the other. Parking downtown can be limited, but lots surround the Downtown Square: Island Park, Waypoint Center, TD Bank, Bridge Street, Newberry (next to American Legion), Westminster Street (behind the Flat Iron Café building), Miss Bellows Falls Diner and Amtrak train station. From 91 North and South take the Rockingham/Bellows Falls exits. From 12N cross the CT River bridge in NH into Bellows Falls VT. Bellows Falls boasts many restaurants for a pre-show dinner. Arrive a few hours before the show to shop and enjoy diverse dining!
I look forward to seeing you at the show!
Good Music for a Good Cause.
--Karin Mallory
** Handicap-accessible seats are available. If you would like to purchase a wheelchair-accessible seat, please contact Karin Mallory directly: kwm1966@gmail.com **
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| Thursday Jan 18, 2018 7:00 PM - Thursday Jan 18, 2018 10:00 PM | $22.00 - $40.00 |
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LocationBellows Falls Opera House (View)
7 The Square
Bellows Falls, VT 05101
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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