MP3: Out In the Woods (Woodsarama Remix) via RCRD LBL
MP3: Out In the Woods via Pitchfork
MP3: Sneaky Times via The Fader
March 6 – San Diego, CA at Bar Pink w/ Writer
March 7 – Tucson, AZ at Plush
March 9 – Albuqurque, NM at Burt’s Tiki Lounge
March 10 – Lubbock, TX at Bash’s
March 11 – Fort Worth, TX at Lola’s
March 12 – Dallas, TX at City Tavern
March 14 – Denton, TX at NX35 Festival
March 18 – Austin, T at Beauty Bar w/ The Bay Area Takeover at SXSW
March 22 – Tulsa, OK at The Soundpony Lounge w/ Judgement Day
March 25 – St. Louis, MO at Cicero’s
March 26 – Indianapolis, IN at The Melody Inn
March 27 – Chicago, IL at Ronny’s Bar
March 29 – Rock Island, IL at Daytrotter Sessions
March 30 – Iowa City, IA at The Mill w/ The Cave Singers for the MCMF
April 2 – Colorado Springs, CO at The Rocket Room
April 3 – Santa Fe, NM at Corazon
Combining meticulously produced psych, synth-funk, Americana, aching electro, and unveiling more surprises upon closer listen SF’s Birds & Batteries return with their latest: the spooky, funky Up To No Good EP. Stacked with addicting aching-electro/boogie jams the EP manages to convey a degree of mystery/magic amidst post-modern wreckage, combining the fun of late 70’s freak funk with a detached, studio cool of 80’s r&b.
Still centered around the art of the song, redoubled by meticulous arrangements and rich atmospheres, B&B saw the EP format as an opportunity to dig deeper into one group of sounds, with synth bass, kick drum, percussion and voice at the forefront. The result is more focused than previous efforts, allowing for a unified statement and narrative to emerge as well as a nineteen minute dance party. This fusing of song craft and electronic music feels natural and easy, owing more to pioneering electro-funk than post-punk.
Birds & Batteries’ live show focuses on the more energetic and rocking parts of their repertoire. “As we’ve toured and played more and more shows, we’ve found ourselves choosing set lists from the material that is most enjoyable to play live and that gets people loose.”
They will be on the road this winter/spring to support Up To No Good and previewing songs from their upcoming full-length due in 2010.
“This is some freak-funk, alt-electro right here. Blast it in honkey-tonk dives and haunted houses alike.”
RCRD LBL
“They reminded him of early Brian Eno, which I can also hear in their fine melding of electronic bleats and slow simmering pop. I also pick up on a similarly playful aesthetic that aligns them with groups like Super Furry Animals.”
Pampelmoose
“It’s rare that a band can remind you of Neil Young, Sparklehorse and The Legend of Zelda at the same time, but San Francisco’s left-field electric-folk band, Birds & Batteries traffics in both the nerdy and beautiful.” Williamette Week
“When Neil Young discovered the synthesizer, he made Trans. San Francisco’s Birds & Batteries demonstrate another-dare we say better?-way that combination could have worked.” RollingStone.com
