With their new album said to be completed and on its way, television airplay and some seriously gritty gigs under their belt, The Wallbirds’ ambiguous folk pop is about to turn heads.
The three-piece who hail from Doncaster formed in 2007 and have since become well known for their live shows and simplistic approach. With live tours with Pigeon Detectives, Air Traffic and One Night Only already under their belts, this band is a band who will be looking to broaden their horizons over the coming months.
This is a lovable group built upon ramshackle folk blues roots and they swing in a way no other band does which doesn’t necessarily fit in with what our current fad-ridden society may demand. Some may compare Walt ‘Wallbird’ Lindley’s croaking vocals to a younger Dylan but those people should hang their heads out of a window in shame...and then jump. This band are about a lot more than obvious comparisons and 70s swing and they emphasise this quality through their balladry and spirit to create a unclean country Motown sound.
Using a host of vintage recording equipment to create their carefully constructed retro sway, the Wallbirds recorded their debut album, rumoured to be called ‘Changes With The Moon’, in a variety of places including London, Lincolnshire and Glasgow before jetting off to LA to mix their first long player with legendary rock producer Bob Clearmountain (Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams).
Having won a round of well known plaudits including Terry Wogan, Chris Evans and Janice Long the band have announced a few live dates for the end of the year, a list they say they’re going to add to.
The band’s first self titled EP held the album title, ‘Changes With The Moon’ amongst others including ‘8 O’Clock Blues’ (“long to sing you a lullaby, but your breath smells just like booze”) and their debut single ‘The Avenue’ was a joyous folk blast which landed them their first television appearance on Manchester's ‘Channel M' on the 'City Centre Social Show' last January. This has recently been followed up by their new single ‘Lying By The Side Of You’ being featured on popular Channel 4 soap, ‘Hollyoaks’.
Live dates to watch out for:
8 Oct – Kings College – London
12 Nov – King Tuts – Glasgow
14 Nov – The Priory – Doncaster
21 Nov – Fat Sams - Dundee
Posted In Myspace Watch, Aug 16 2009.
Words - Tom