Music for Dead Birds

Music for Dead Birds formed in Galway city in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/raidio-na-gaeltachta-to-release-session-compilation-3960187|title=Raidió na Gaeltachta to release session compilation|date=15 August 2007|publisher=hotpress.com}} In April, 2009, they released their debut album "And then it rained for seven days" on the Irish independent record label Rusted Rail.{{cite web|url=http://www.rustedrail.com/musicdeadbirds.html|title=Rusted Rail – Music for Dead Birds|website=www.rustedrail.com}} The album was self produced by the band and was mainly recorded using a 4-track tape deck. Foxy Digitalis commented "The additional album info describes the recording as taking place in "various sheds, attics & bedrooms in Galway and Mayo." The end result represents clear intentions and highly creative song writing and recording techniques."{{cite web|url=http://www.foxydigitalis.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=4942 |title=--==> foxy digitalis : Reviews <==-- |access-date=18 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012450/http://www.foxydigitalis.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=4942 |archive-date=19 April 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} However, it was also criticised for its lo-fi quality.{{cite web|url=http://www.comfortcomes.com/2009/04/23/music-for-dead-birds-and-then-it-rained-for-seven-days/ |title=Music for Dead Birds – and then It Rained for Seven Days | ComfortComes |accessdate=15 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721051803/http://www.comfortcomes.com/2009/04/23/music-for-dead-birds-and-then-it-rained-for-seven-days/ |archivedate=21 July 2011 }} The song Four Years From Now went on to feature on the soundtrack of the German art project [http://www.centerland-movie.de/ Centerland], which was released by Jellyfant Records in 2013.{{Cite web |url=https://jellyfant.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/today-centerland-exhibition-and-ost-release-party/ |title=Today: Centerland Exhibition and OST Release Party | JellyFant Records |access-date=12 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419044510/https://jellyfant.wordpress.com/2013/12/07/today-centerland-exhibition-and-ost-release-party/ |archive-date=19 April 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

In October 2011, the group released their second album "The Pope's Sister".{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/46458/music-for-dead-birds-release-new-album|title=Music For Dead Birds release new album|publisher=Galway Advertiser|first=Kernan|last=Andrews|date=17 November 2011}} AU Magazine said : "Over ten short tracks – each one as good as the next – Jimmy Monaghan and co meld Beta Band-esque charm with boldly erratic time signatures and disaffected fuzz."{{cite web|url=http://iheartau.com/2012/02/music-for-dead-birds-the-popes-sister/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126041628/http://iheartau.com/2012/02/music-for-dead-birds-the-popes-sister/ |url-status=dead |title=Music for Dead Birds - The Pope's Sister|archive-date=26 January 2013 |accessdate=19 February 2016 }} Terrascope also praised the album stating: "By the time you get to “Release the Dogs” you find you are fully immersed in the album, the twisted guitar lines hooking you in with relentless ease."{{cite web|url=http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Reviews/Rumbles_MARCH_12.htm|title=© Terrascope Rumbles for March 2012|publisher=Ptolemaic Terrascope|website=www.terrascope.co.uk}} It was listed by Irish radio DJ Dan Hegarty as one of the top 50 Irish albums of 2011.{{cite web|url=http://2fm.rte.ie/blogs/dan_hegarty/2011/12/dans-top-50-irish-albums-of-2011.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217192050/http://2fm.rte.ie/blogs/dan_hegarty/2011/12/dans-top-50-irish-albums-of-2011.html |url-status=dead |title=Dan's Tope 50 irish Albums of 2011|archive-date=17 February 2013 |accessdate=19 February 2016 }}

The group's third album "Vitamins" was released on 17 April 2014, by the band's own Ghost Home Recordings label, as both a Pay what you want digital download and a limited edition CD run of 100 copies.{{Cite web|url=http://ballofwax.org/2014/06/ball-of-wax-36-songs-music-for-dead-birds-a-better-view/|date=3 June 2014|first=Levi|last=Fuller|title = Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Music for Dead Birds – "A Better View" | Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly|website=ballofwax.org}} The album was recorded in one weekend at Data Studios, County Kerry, with recording engineer Tadgh Healy.{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicfordeadbirds.eu/2014/11/vitamins-recording-of.html|date=24 November 2014|title=Vitamins: The recording of|website=musicfordeadbirds.eu}} Critical reception of the album was mixed, with Irish website GoldenPlec referring to it as a "flawed project",{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldenplec.com/album-reviews/music-dead-birds-vitamins-review/|first=Danny|last=Kilmartin|date=5 August 2014|title = Music for Dead Birds - Vitamins | Review | Album Review}} while in a more positive review Ptolemaic Terrascope opined: "The sudden stop/starts, so beloved of Seattle residents, do sometimes get a little wearing, but it's never less than intriguing listening, and the good songs have their own chutzpah."{{Cite web|url=http://www.terrascope.co.uk/Reviews/Rumbles_August_14.htm|title=© Terrascope Rumbles for August 2014|date=1 August 2014|publisher=Ptolemaic Terrascope}} Lead track The Farmer's Corn was broadcast by 2fm in Ireland{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/2fm/dan-hegarty-the-alternative/programmes/2014/1215/666915-dan-hegarty-the-alternative-monday-15-december-2014/?clipid=1754500|title = Dan Hegarty - the Alternative Monday 15 December 2014|website = RTÉ.ie}} and 2SER in Australia.{{Cite web |url=http://www.2ser.com/news-a-events/events/item/9208-sideways-through-sound-june-11-2014-imaginational-anthem |title=Sideways Through Sound June 11, 2014: Imaginational Anthem - 2SER - Real Radio 107.3 FM |access-date=12 April 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150412024503/http://www.2ser.com/news-a-events/events/item/9208-sideways-through-sound-june-11-2014-imaginational-anthem |archive-date=12 April 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} A music video was produced for the track Magic Witch which received some media attention for its dark content.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2014/1106/657321-watch/|title=Watch: Music for Dead Bird's song, Magic Witch|website=RTÉ.ie|date=6 November 2014}}

They have played with artists such as Lite (band), Angus & Julia Stone{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/20308/st-stephens-night-spectacular-at-finbar-hoban-presents|title=St Stephen's Night spectacular at Finbar Hoban presents|publisher=}} Woodpigeon (band),{{cite web|url=http://www.woodpigeon-songbook.com/shows?page=30|title=Shows – Woodpigeon-Songbook – Page 30|website=www.woodpigeon-songbook.com}} And So I Watch You From Afar{{cite web|url=http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14327:music-rock-bands-converge-on-castlebar-clubhouse&catid=52:going-out&Itemid=146|title=The Mayo News|website=www.mayonews.ie}} & Girl Band (Irish band){{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/82195/girl-band-come-to-garbos-in-castlebar-next-saturday|title=Girl Band come to Garbo's in Castlebar next Saturday|publisher=}} in Galway & Mayo.{{cite web|url=https://www.mayonews.ie/living/going-out/13166-arts-feile-iorrais-attracts-performers-from-four-corners|first=Ciara|last=Moynihan|date=11 July 2022|publisher=The Mayo News|title=ARTS Féile Iorrais attracts performers from four corners}} They have also appeared at 93 Feet East in London,{{cite web|url=http://london.eventful.com/events/hog-records-presents-music-arcade-new-kid-/E0-001-044505642-3|title=HOG RECORDS PRESENTS: MUSIC ARCADE – NEW KID IN TOWN + CRISTOPHER JOHNSON + JIMMY MONAGHAN + FORTLINE + MORE TBC|website=Eventful}} The Space (Connecticut){{cite web|url=http://hartford.eventful.com/events/glint-ribbons-half-estatic-music-dead-birds-/E0-001-029416644-1|title=Glint – Ribbons – Half Estatic – Music for Dead Birds|website=Eventful}} & The Living Room in New York.{{Cite web |url=http://www.livingroomny.com/artist/music-dead-birds |title=Music for Dead Birds | the Living Room |access-date=30 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719072655/http://www.livingroomny.com/artist/music-dead-birds |archive-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}

{{Infobox album

| name = And then it rained for seven days

| type = studio

| artist = Music for Dead Birds

| cover = Andthenitrainedforsevendays.jpeg

| alt =

| released = April 2009

| recorded = Counties Mayo and Galway, Ireland

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Anti folk, indie folk, indie rock, lo fi

| length = 25:30

| label = Rusted Rail

| producer =

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = The Pope's Sister

| next_year = 2011

}}

{{Album ratings

| title = And then it rained for seven days

| noprose = yes

| rev1 = Foxy Digitalis

| rev1Score = {{rating|8|10}}

| rev2 = Ondarock

| rev2Score = {{rating|6.5|10}} {{cite web|author=Russo, Raffaello|url=https://www.ondarock.it/recensioni/2009_deadbirds.htm|title=Music for Dead Birds - And then it rained for seven days |publisher=onedarock.it |date= 2009|accessdate=28 August 2021}}}}

Albums

• And then it rained for seven days: debut album, released by Rusted Rail in April 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/10690 |title=Music For Dead Birds to release debut mini-album |publisher=Advertiser.ie |date=9 April 2009 |accessdate=10 August 2013}} 3" CD Mini-Albumn. Released on the Mini CD single format, The album was self produced by the band and was mainly recorded using a 4-track tape deck. General reception of the album from critics was good;[http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=4942 Digital Industries] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224004303/http://www.digitalisindustries.com/foxyd/reviews.php?which=4942 |date=24 February 2012 }} however, it was criticized for its lo-fi quality.[http://www.comfortcomes.com/2009/04/23/music-for-dead-birds-and-then-it-rained-for-seven-days/ Comfort comes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721051803/http://www.comfortcomes.com/2009/04/23/music-for-dead-birds-and-then-it-rained-for-seven-days/ |date=21 July 2011 }} The album currently has a 1.84 rating on Rate Your Music.[https://archive.today/20120731050732/http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/music_for_dead_birds Rate your music] Writing for Galway Advertiser, Arts journalist Kernan Andrews wrote; "And Then It Rained For Seven Days is a strong opening statement from the band, and reveals some different sides to their sound. On stage they have a strongly 1960s folk-pop style, but the new mini-album plays much more like edgy indie/alternative acoustic rock, with some experimental flashes."
• "The Pope's Sister" CD Album, 2011
• "Vitamins" CD/Digital, 2014{{cite web|url=http://www.themodernfolk.net/2014/04/music-for-dead-birds-vitamins.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140702051051/http://www.themodernfolk.net/2014/04/music-for-dead-birds-vitamins.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 July 2014|title=music for dead birds – vitamins|website=www.themodernfolk.net}}
• "Pagan Blessings" Digital, 2018

EP's

• "The Day The Water Ran Out", 2009. CD EP.{{Cite web|url=http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/guitar14.html|title=New guitarists : Review page Music for Dead Birds |accessdate=6 June 2022 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822162244/http://www.psychedelicfolk.com/MusicForDeadBirds.html|archivedate=22 August 2016 }}
• "Black Tides Falling", 2010. Digital EP.{{Cite web |url=http://harmlessnoise.ie/2010/12/best-free-music-of-2010/ |title=Best Free Music of 2010 « Harmless Noise |access-date=12 April 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150412024457/http://harmlessnoise.ie/2010/12/best-free-music-of-2010/ |archive-date=12 April 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
• "Your Brand New Life", 2015. CD EP.{{cite web|url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/80035/music-for-dead-birds-to-open-october-citg-gigs|date=6 October 2015|first=Kernan|last=Andrews|title=Music For Dead Birds to open October Citóg gigs|publisher=Galway Advertiser}}
• "Nail & Tooth EP", 2017. Digital EP

Singles

• "English Weed/What A Waste", 2015. Digital single.{{cite web|url=http://thethinair.net/2015/08/watch-music-for-dead-birds-english-weed/|title=Watch: Music For Dead Birds – English Weed|date=10 August 2015|first=Brian|last=Coney|publisher=The Thin Air}}
• "Summer in Suburbia/Untied", 2020. Digital single {{Cite web|url=https://thethinair.net/2020/09/irish-tracks-of-the-week-september-4th/|title = Irish Tracks of the Week - September 4th|date = 4 September 2020|website=thethinair.net}}

Compilations

• Ball of Wax Vol. 12 {{cite web|url=http://ballofwax.org/volumes/volume-12/|title=Volume 12 – Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly|website=ballofwax.org}}
• Eardrums Music compilation {{Cite web |url=http://www.eardrumspop.com/2009/04/29/birdsongs-beesongs-volume-d/ |title=EardrumsPop » Birdsongs, Beesongs Vol. D |access-date=18 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914235604/http://www.eardrumspop.com/2009/04/29/birdsongs-beesongs-volume-d/ |archive-date=14 September 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
• Ball of Wax Vol. 36 {{cite web|url=http://ballofwax.org/2014/06/ball-of-wax-36-songs-music-for-dead-birds-a-better-view/|title=Ball of Wax 36 Songs: Music for Dead Birds – "A Better View" – Ball of Wax Audio Quarterly|website=ballofwax.org}}
• Centerland OST, 2013

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.rustedrail.com/musicdeadbirds.html "And then it rained for seven days" on Rusted Rail].

{{DEFAULTSORT:Music For Dead Birds}}

Category:Irish folk musical groups

Category:Irish indie rock groups

Category:Musical groups from County Galway