Birdy

About

BIRDY is a Chicago-based acoustic quartet featuring outstanding vocal harmony, fine originals and creative musical arrangements. MAGIC DAYS - the group’s second CD - was released in August of 2012. As an avid BIRDY fan would expect and hope for, the cd contains plenty of the group’s unique “fringe folk” spin on traditional folk tunes, along with new originals by Sharon Speziale and a re-mix of Journey Home (which appeared on their first cd of the same name) penned by Speziale and Bianca Bevard.

With an eclectic repertoire that draws from both traditional and contemporary influences, Birdy has quickly established itself on the Chicago music scene and beyond, and is a regular performer at coffee houses, restaurants and pubs, folk venues, community centers, neighborhood parties, festivals, and farmers markets. The BIRDY idea was literally 'sparked' in the '90's while Bianca Bevard and Sharon Speziale were singing around a bonfire at a camping weekend. Instantly recognizing a soaring harmony blend, the two began performing together regularly. In-demand percussionist Meg Thomas, who brings a wonderful driving and creative dimension to BIRDY's established sound, joined the group in 2007. More recently, veteran bassist Roy McNaughton joined the group, with bass lines that are both artistically fluid and warmly down to earth, and ethereal mandolin chops that twinkle.

A typical BIRDY concert includes BIRDY originals, covers of favorite singer/songwriters both near and far, traditional folk tunes with a twist, songs of love (lost, acquired or desired), and a few other styles thrown in for good measure. BIRDY resonates with the richness of many influences, entertaining with songs that evoke an array of sounds, thoughts, and feelings. Their first cd, Journey Home, was released in 2009.


BIRDY is…
Bianca Bevard Vocals
Sharon Speziale Vocals, Guitar
Meg Thomas Djembe, Conga, Darbuka, Bodhran, Shaker, Tambourine
Roy McNaughton Vocals, Upright Bass, Mandolin

Personnel

Sharon Brunot Speziale: vocals, guitar, fiddle
Megan Thomas: percussion
Bianca Wesolowski Bevard: vocals
Roy McNaughton: vocals, mandolin, upright bass

Influences

Kate Rusby, Nanci Griffith, Indigo Girls, Shawn Colvin, Martha Scanlan, the Appalachian Mountains, Mark Dvorak, The Pickin' Bubs, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, The Wailin' Jennys, and music they sang at church while they were growin' up.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 45 - 90 minutes

BIRDY performs a variety of music in beautiful two-part harmony. When you attend one of their shows, you can expect to hear Birdy originals, tradional folk tunes, Celtic selections, contemporary music in a stripped down earthy style, a random Beatles tune, and a few other things thrown in for good measure.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Like a Songbird That Has Fallen, Journey Home, Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Wildest Sea, I'll Fly Away, Arlington, My Love Grows, Edelweiss, Rock of Ages, Heaven When We're Home, The One I Love is Gone, By the Mark, Hands of a Pirate

Performance Schedule

Past Booked Dates:

09-14-2012 — Heartland Cafe

Available for Your

Bar/Lounge, Church Service, Concert Venue, Festival, Fundraiser, Funeral Service, Private Party, Restaurant, Studio Session, Wedding Ceremony

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