Birdy is a touring with label-mate Christina Perri in support of her EP, “Breathe,” that is currently available exclusively in the U.S. Her version of “Skinny Love” has really taken on a life of its own. The track is being aired on modern rock radio now, doing incredibly well. Cover versions of The xx’s “Shelter”, Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” and The Postal Service’s “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight” were an extraordinary introduction to an artist who – despite her tender years and the fact that she was interpreting other writers’ songs – managed to stamp her instantly recognizable identity on all of them.
Birdy’s new album, Fire Within, could be described as her second debut, because it sees her stepping into, and shining in, a new role as songwriter-in-chief. Recorded in Los Angeles and London, Fire Within’s 11 tracks include her stirring, propulsive new single, “Wings”, the tender piano ballad, “No Angel” and “Light Me Up”, the song that, more than any other, emphasizes the dramatic developments in Birdy’s musicianship and writing over the past 18 months.
Birdy breathes a different life into my favorite songs. This young lady has tremendous talent and is worth taking notice. I can not even imagine what she may have in store for us in the future.
I caught up with Birdy before her show at Bogart's on Saturday!
Give us some background on Birdy…
I grew up learning classical piano with my mum who's a concert pianist and then started song writing at 8. When I was twelve I put a video up on YouTube playing one of my own songs which got noticed by the record company. Everything really started when I was fourteen I did a cover of Bon Iver's Skinny Love that got played on the radio and it went from there!
What inspired your stage name?
It's always just been my nickname and what everyone calls me by. My parents gave it to me as a baby because when they would feed me I'd open my mouth really wide like a little bird.
You have come so far so quickly, what has been a highlight of your career thus far?
I think creating an album of all originals and getting to perform at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics.
What can we expect to see on the tour with yourself and Christina Perri?
My set will be quite intimate with stripped down versions of songs from my first and new album. There's only three of us on stage not the full band so it's a new set out on stage for me.
After this tour, what is next for Birdy?
I'm very excited to be playing a few festivals this summer which I haven't really done before and just writing new songs!
Enter to win tickets to the show HERE!
Christina Perri
w/ Birdy
Bogart's
Saturday April 12th
7:30p
