A five-piece band that fuses folk and indie. Their acoustic music is soothing to listen to and paints a picture of a humid night lying in the grass. Based from Nashville, a country presence exists in the undertones of their work – with a natural and easy-going sound, while the themes are thought-provoking; questioning religion – Nothing’s Right and Father Texas; changes in relationships – Looking for Love, its line “But she says she loves me/Oh, when she loves french fries” reflecting on the ease in which love is said but not felt; to gender roles exploring the restrictions and expectations placed on women, such as in – Autodomesticated Animal. Here, lyrics and music are of equal importance, but pay attention to those words – they might just offer clues and solace from a band highly attuned to modern society.
Initially starting as a duo – husband and wife; Zack Green (co-singer and guitarist) and Dani Green (co-singer, keyboard) – they were soon joined by Andy Hubright (drums), Brian Seligman (mandolin and guitar), Jesse Baker (bass), forming the Birdtalker group we know today.
Birdtalker’s music expresses intense feelings, and as Zack and Dani have previously stated they use their writing to ‘share ideas they care about and sentiments they feel deeply’, which certainly comes across in their music, especially in the song Heavy. Highly emotive, it talks of the hurt and angst of carrying past pains with you, and the relief and choice you have in leaving it behind.
Starting off with the beat of heavy drums, its soon matched in surprising sympathy with a lightness of piano keys that has a parallel to the chorus’s lines; “Leave what’s heavy/What’s heavy behind.” The deep beats a constant presence until the last lines, where its left behind for a mellow joining of voices.
The video (also directed by the band) keeps in line with the music, its pure and clean cut – as a man and a woman dance on a plain backdrop, each carrying the weight of the other, and in turn being supported. Contemporary dance mixed with ballet, their movements smoothly transition with the singing – from stepping into the spotlight, to then going into the shadows and back again. Its understanding of depression, and the complications of mental health being grasped both within the video and the song, and as such resonates as a healing anthem for the soul.
Although Birdtalker started in 2012, they were first launched to stardom with the single Heavy in 2016, with many other tracks from the EP Just This being equally as loved. But it wasn’t until 2018 that they released their debut album; One, and it was well worth the wait. Their second album Birdtalker (2021) continuing the essence of the group’s personality, with its catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics – leaving you full, but craving more.
Other songs by Birdtalker we love:
- Taking Control (acoustic) (2022 – single)
- Old Sob Story (2022 – Birdtalker)
- Autodomesticated Animal (2018 – One)
- Free Like a Broken Heart (2018 – One)
- One (2018 – One)
- Outside the Lines (2018 – One)
- Graveclothes (2016 – Just This [EP])
Other artists you might like:
- Caamp
- Elliot Root
- Family and Friends
- Henry Jamison
- Tall Heights
- The Head and the Heart
