From the Shelf: Birds of Chicago: Birds of Chicago (2013)

Birds of Chicago
Birds of Chicago
Self Released

The soulful urban-folk of Birds of Chicago's self-titled debut album is as energetic and vibrant as spring.  Lively and danceable, the music of J.T. Nero and Allison Russel is honest and optimistic in a heartfelt manner. Mixing a richly natural feel with a street wise sensibility this album is filled with highly approachable songs.
Built from Nero's urban white-man's blues and finished with Russel's soulful crooning these songs will wash over you like a warm spring breeze. Its sound musical landscapes weaved from organically paired instrumentation giving this duo a comforting aura that's a joy to listen to.  From the playful "Trampoline" to the reflective wail of "The Wide Sea" this record is filled with one wonderful song after another. A personal favorite is the soulful folk of "The Moonglow / Tapeworm" with its laid back tempo and lyrical play. Even the French of "San Souci" seems at perfect harmony amongst the rest of the songs on the album.
Like a sweet dream, this record has been forming in the ether for sometime now, as the occasional collaborations between these two artists developed into something more permanent. With fruit like this we can only hope that this musical marriage has a long and bountiful future ahead of it.     

10 Questions: Birds of Chicago

Born from the collaboration of JT Nero and Allison Russell the band Birds of Chicago creates a soulful urban folk. Having recently released their debut album and wrapped up an extensive US tour the band is primed to strengthen their following.  Thankfully they found some time to answer some of BLS's questions. 

BLS: You have both experienced success individually or in other bands. How dose this experience differ form your past musical endeavors?

BOC: it feels like a natural evolution: each of our bands had been collaborating, to an increasing degree, for the last several years... this freakish canadian-american hybrid is the final biomusical result of all those years of experimenting together.

BLS: J T, I heard that you did the lion’s share of the songwriting of your self titled EP. How dose your process change when taking into consideration what Allison brings to the musical equation? Are there benefits / drawbacks to developing songs around two voices and personalities?

JT: I thank you for using that phrase - I consider the lion one of my spirit animals, along with the northern pike and the meerkat. Alli's an amazing writer -- as her couple selections on this record and her Po' Girl work reveal, I just tend to spit em out faster. As far as writing for her, however -- it's a hugely exciting thing to have another voice - a woman's voice - to write for; particularly a voice as dynamic and nuanced as hers.


BLS: Your EP is filled with elements of soul, classic country and grassroots rock. Which of you encouraged what elements? Are their influences which both of you equally draw upon?

JT: All of those influences are Alli's -- I bring more of a Norwegian Black Metal flavor to the group. Sadly, all of the songs that had more of that feel didn't make the final cut for this album... uh, seriously, one of the main reasons we gravitated towards each other in the first place is a shared love for all those musics and for the touchpoints between them...

BLS: You are currently on tour. How does the make up of your band change when you’re on the road? Have you brought any additional musicians along with you?.

JT: Basically Birds of Chicago was designed to be a collective, one that revolves around Alli and me -- but when we are at full strength, we have all the Clouds on stage with us... The Clouds plus a couple other stalwarts - namely Joe Faulhaber - our frequent Texas ax-man.

BLS: Do you find it easier to gain an audience for Birds of Chicago from fans of your past musical endeavors? Are they receptive to this new project?

BOC: For whatever reason or combination of reasons, there's been a nice groundswell of loving feeling from lots of sectors for this project, right from the start... That's the kind of thing I don't think it pays to think very much on; we're certainly happy about it, though, and we're gonna keep working really hard

BLS: As artists you have reached a level of success that awards you the opportunity to access resources that help you promote your music, book your gigs and other important aspects of growing your audience. Do you still find you’re doing a lot of work in these areas as well? If so what tools do you regularly use? Do you have any advice to pass on to bands that are just starting out?

BOC: We are just getting to a position for the first time in either of our careers, where we have a team around us that we trust implicity and that are savvy in all the ways we need people to be savvy about moving this thing forward; we're learning to let go of some daily operations a little bit, but we still spend many hours a day on band admin and promotion! Our advice to anyone just getting started will always be: nobody cares more than you do about your music! you are gonna have to be willing to be the main shepherd/advocate for getting your music out into the world, and to get yourself hip to all the social media tools at your disposal.. trust me, if we could eventually make ourselves do that stuff, you can..

BLS: From Ella & Louie and June and Johnny, the musical world is filled with male/female musical teams. What are some of your own favorites?

BOC: Etta James and Harvey Fuqua, Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, Iris Dement and John Prine, Emmylou and Steve Earle (I know most folks would insert Graham here, but I've always loved the blend of emmylou and steve's voices best of all) --and we've been really digging the new Shovels and Rope album O' Be Joyful - which is Cary Ann Hearst and her husband Michael Trent

BLS: In honor of your bands name what is your favorite breed of bird?

Alli: Magpies and Crows

JT: Hawks and falcons amaze me more than almost any other thing in the world.

BLS: Ideally what would be the perfect state of the band if you had a choice? Recording in the Studio? Playing Live? Or just sitting around making music?

JT : As much as I love being on the road AND making records, there's probably no single greater continual thrill than the moment a new song gets finished -- or actually, sometimes, not the actual moment it gets finished, but the moment you realize it will, actually get finished. That's the main high for me, the thing that keeps me coming back.

Alli: I love that moment too - -but the greatest high for me is collaborating with musicians who inspire me and playing for a receptive/interactive audience- that perfect communion and joyful exchange which happens when all the elements align and you hit it just right..

BLS: Name 5 bands you love but who few people have heard of?

BOC: We'll just name 5 that we know, no matter what their present level of recognition, definitely deserve a lot more, and in no particular order...

Anais Mitchell -- people seem to be starting to get it with her now - but they can't do it fast enough. Her most recent record -- Young Man in America -- is flat out brilliant

The Record Low -- our favorite Chicago Band - staying for the moment, in self-imposed obscurity.. Lonesome, seriously melodic dudes with good rock n roll hunger, dissonance...

Nels Andrews: a serious poet (don't cringe at that phrase - it's beautiful!) with understated melodies that Jackson Brown would like to call his own...

Sean Hayes : the grooviest, weirdest superman lover of folk-hop.. one of a kind.

Awna Teixeira -- Alli's partner in Po' Girl just put out her first solo album, where the darkness goes... it's a quiet stunner -- sad and joyful and gorgeous all the way through.

Cure for the Mondays: Birds of Chicago "The Moonglow/The Tapeworm"

Birds of Chicago - "The Moonglow/The Tapeworm"

Sometimes music can be as infectious as chickenpox.




Soulful and bluesy the Chicago based folk band of Birds of Chicago are a wonderfully lively crew. Currently on tour in support of their self-titled debut album. They swung through Portland a few weeks ago and they were awesome. So make sure you catch them when they swing through your neck of the woods.

About Last Night: Birds of Chicago @ Mississippi Studios 01/16

Last night was like a locomotive ride, the slow scenic beginning has it's charm, but once you get moving is when things really get interesting.

Starting off the night was the gravel road serenade of the Huck Notari Trio. Ripe with a back porch mystique the mournfully eloquent songs of their set held the wonderful ache of honesty. Introspectively moody, their set lead perfectly into the earthy duet of Jenn Rawling and Basho Parks.  


Once the Birds of Chicago took the stage, they awakened a new presence in the room. Like the first break of sun on a rainy day, the energy of their live show is undeniably infectious. Paired downed to the bare minimum of JT Nero, Allison Russell and and their hired gun Joe Faulhaber on electric guitar . The fun near-danceable set this trio brought to the Mississippi Studio Stage was a great boost of life after the beautiful melancholy of the opening bands.


JT's white mans blues was richly indicative of his home town while Allison's soulful singing was a sweet mixture of Carol King's power and the lite island energy of Phyllis Dillon. Combined they livened up the trudging weight of a Wednesday night until you could almost forget that you had to work the next day. Their set list was mainly populated by songs from their self-titled album with the occasional gem from one of their individual projects. In particular was the phenomenal rendition of the JT & The Cloud's song "I Have Heard Words." The way that JT and Allison dug so deep and played off each other made this song amazing. I hope that someday they'll take the time to put it down on tape.


As the night wrapped up,you couldn't help but feel like the band had reached out on a personal level. The fun and liveliness of the band seemed to lighten the wait of the week. While the live treatment of their album tracks made me excited to listen to the CD on the ride home. In all, the night was wonderful and Birds of Chicago used their gracious charm to win over a few new fans on a cold Wednesday night. 

The Birds of Chicago Show Coverage Contest

By the Light of the Stereo in conjunction with Bullhorn Publicity is proud to bring you;

The Birds of Chicago Show Coverage Contest.

When you write about music you have to have a full range of skills in your arsenal. Most specifically a  comfortable fluency with language and a keen eye when taking photos. Without these you won't get very far.
We at BLS want to see what you got and have a copy of the Birds of Chicago's self-titled CD and the chance to have your work posted on our site if you make the grade.
Do you have what it takes. Lets find out.
How you win.

First off you have to make it to their show tonight.
Here's the details:
Mississippi Studios
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
$12 at the door.

We have just 2 copies of the CD so well make it easy.
There's two categories; 1) Best concert pic & 2)best Show write-up in 300 words or less.

For best Concert pic:
1. Get your phones out and try your hand catching the action. Remember no flash.
2. Determine which shot's your best.
3. Find BLS and like use on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BytheLightoftheStereo)
4. When you're there, Message us with your name and contact e-mail and attach a jpg of your Photo.
If we feel you're the best of the bunch we'll contact you and get the information to send you your prize.

For best show write up:
1. Tell us what you liked about the show, be creative and have fun.
2.Polish it up and check the punctuation twice.
3. Find BLS and like use on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/BytheLightoftheStereo)
4. When you're there, Message us. Paste the write up in the text of the message and include your name and contact e-mail.
If we feel your the best of the bunch we'll contact you and get the information to send you your prize.

Some simple rules:
All entries must be in by 12:00AM on Friday, January 18th
One entry person, so you have to decide picture or words.
By entering this contest you agree to allow BLS the use of your photos, words and name.

Good luck and I hope to see you at the show.

The Triple Crown: 01/07 - 01/20

We stretched our musical boundaries in this Triple Crown to cover a little bit of it all.  From locally grown rock and Hip hop to the comforting sound of a touring folk band. Take a gander and I'm sure you'll find a show that tickles your fancy. It's a new year and if you haven't made a resolution or goal yet, can I suggest supporting more music by catching more live shows. Just a thought.

Friday, January 11th
Crown Point (Album Release)
Western Aerial / Threebit Bourbon
Doug Fir Lounge
830 E Burnside
Doors: 8PM /Show: 9PM
Adv.: $8 /Day Of: $8
21 & Over

You know you've been part of the music industry for a while when you get as excited about the opening bands as you do the headliners. In this case the dynamic bar rock extravaganza of Wetern Aeiral and the blues drenched thickness of Threebit Bourbon. Both bands will be opening for the artsy radio rock of Portland's Crown Point. Celebrating the release of their Curtains EP, Crown Point will be showcasing their new material with their signature high energy live performance. With new wave elements mixed with the energy of arena rock, this band has been able to distill and down size some awesome elements into a wonderfully enjoyable sound and live show. Teamed with a great opening lineup this should be a great show, and a wonderful way to start a new year by supporting live and local music.    

Wednesday, January 16th
Birds of Chicago
Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks / HuckNotari
Mississippi Studios
3939 N Mississippi
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
Adv.: $10 / Day Of: $12
21 & Over

This line up of richly organic folk should make for such an amazing show,  that they'll talking about about it for weeks. Topping the bill is the freshly formed Birds of Chicago that pairs Allison Russell and JT Nero. Separately amazing artist of their own, their songs play like modern day echoes of Jim Croce's Pennsylvania farmhouse jam sessions. The ways that Russell's bluesy and emotionally rich vocals mixes with Nero's own earthy tones makes for warm comforting songs. The end results is a fulfilling musical tapestry ripe for discovery by the masses.
Sharing the stage for the evening  are two more equally fantastic acts. The artisan folk of Jenn Rawling and Basho Parks is a fluid creature that seems to drift through a forest from a different time.  While, Huck Notari plays a back-to-basics guitar folk in the vein of Dylan and Guthrie. No matter who you come to see you won't be disappointed.

Friday, January 18th
Bad Habitat
Two Planets / New Pioneers / Cray
Mt. Tabor Theater Lounge
4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Show: 9PM
Cover: $5
21 & Over

This showcase is filled with some of the best grassroots hip hop acts this town has to offer and the music they're playing is the truest, purest of it's kind heard in the clubs today. Topping the bill is the powerhouse of Bad Habitats. With tight beats and rhymes that are pieces together with a brilliant architecture, this band is creating powerful and positive Hip hop. Harking back to the days when this music was a celebration of life instead of a weapon, this band is setting themselves apart from the hordes of gangster rap. Another brilliant element of this band is their unique use of some interesting 80's songs for sampleing, making for a totally original sound. Also playing, is a who's who list of Portland's thriving hip hop scene making for an unforgettable lineup. So if you've yearned for the days of Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh and Big Daddy Kane this is the show for you.