One of the most original sounding groups to emerge from the Chicago underground, Bird Names remains an enigma of cross-category psychedelic multi-fi mayhem. Quirky, catchy, poppy and dischordant are all adjectives that merely point to a place where a true description of this band might lie, if you were able to sprout a second head and penetratingly gaze into the invisible aether in search of it.
I was lucky enough to catch several performances of the 2-piece Bird Names configuration right before they left town to move down south to Georgia. Little did I know that I caught the tip of a kaleidoscopic iceberg of sound, trickery, and performative magic that runs seven years deep. The shifting texture of multiple line ups, styles, and locations provides a thick patch of flora to explore and enjoy.
Thanks to Ray, the ubiquitous photo documentarian and music historian of the Chicago DIY scene, for dubbing me copy of their latest tape. It still blows my mind upon repeated listening!
Please enjoy the following selections to see/hear what I mean, and then go to their website to find out more.
~Kyle
