Bird Language piece the sunshine with some thunder on ‘Clear Head’
The Boston ambient pop-rock quintet release an introspective new tune on Friday, April 22
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Bird Language’s debut album ‘625 Days’ set for May 20 release
Listen to Bird Language on Spotify
Photo Credit: Pat Piasecki
BOSTON, MA [April 22, 2022] -- Bird Language know when it’s time to take a moment, look inward, and reflect on their place in the world. The Boston ambient pop-rock quintet have quickly made a name for themselves so far in 2022 with a pair of engaging singles – February romper “Apoplectic” and last month’s golden “First Date” – that masterfully examine the world around them, the first through a night out on the town gone awry, and the second through a scene of awkward dates taking place at Highland Kitchen in Somerville.
On Friday, April 22, Bird Language turn the focus inward and towards themselves on “Clear Head,” a striking and contemplative new single that serves as the third and final release before the band unveils their anticipated debut album, 625 Days, on May 20. This introspective single finds Bird Language doing what they do best; capturing distinctive moods and applying them to a magnetic brand of modern pop-rock that’s indebted to a throwback time when colorful songwriting ruled the radio airwaves. “Clear Head” is a journey, the type of song that is imminently personable and coated in a human element, and perhaps the perfect lead-in to the larger themes swirling around the LP.
“The lyrics were inspired by the time in my life when I Ieft Boston and moved to New York,” says Bird Language vocalist, pianist, and keyboardist Jeff Nicolai. “After a couple of years, I was struggling to decide if I should stay or move back. I ultimately decided to come back and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.”
It only takes a few introductory notes of Nicolai’s piano to understand that “Clear Head” comes from a unique place, and a songwriting vision buoyed by the band’s burgeoning experimental chemistry. This track, aforementioned single “Apoplectic,” and 625 Days album cut “Lean Back” were all written together through one furious creative outburst – and the band members are quick to praise each others’ effort in what came together as a sonic high-point of the album.
“‘Clear Head’ started as a blue sky, sunny day, slacker type of adventure theme… like an ambitious long urban walk on a Sunday propelled by coffee and weed,” says guitarist Neil Simmons. “It was only when Jeff added his vocals that the song became maybe the strongest point on the whole album, my favorite moment being a rad solo/musical break by Andrew [Doherty, guitarist] that pieces the sunshine with some angry thunder! The fellows excellently holding down the rhythm, Pat [Piasecki, bass] and Mike [Nashawaty, drums], keep the song together and keep it from being a mess! That was my fear when we struggled to find the feel in the writing process, but those gents killed it – at the end we had a good song!”
Avoiding a messy situation and pulling out a victory by making the right decisions is at the root of “Clear Head.” Nicolai credits experimenting with different harmonies and vocal layers with Nashawaty at the drummer’s Voice Motel studio before hitting Somerville’s New Alliance East to lay down his lyrics. And using New Alliance’s upright acoustic piano was an added bonus, augmenting an intro that immediately grips the listener with dual piano seduction. Doherty says Bird Language’s initial goal was “to write music that created a sense of proximity within the expanse of space, while connecting with the heart,” and while the expansiveness may have been on fuller display in prior singles, the heartfelt core of “Clear Head” and its relatable tone and nature helps propel it as yet another compelling composition from a band that seems to become more compelling with each release. And with “Clear Head,” this last lead-in to the album, their ambition is blooming.
“This one is our rock opera, in my head anyway,” adds Simmons. “It’s a journey that starts delicately with the piano, and ends up on the back of a Harley by the end.”
Media Contact: Please direct all press inquiries to Bird Language at birdlanguageband@gmail.com or Michael Marotta at michael@publisist.co.
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Bird Language is:
Andrew Doherty - Guitar
Michael Nashawaty - Drums
Jeff Nicolai - Vocals, keyboards, piano
Pat Piasecki - Bass
Neil Simmons - Guitar
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‘Clear Head’ production credits:
Recorded by Ethan Dussault at New Alliance Audio
Mastered by Will Benoit at The Radar Studio
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‘Clear Head’ single artwork:
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The music of Bird Language can be heard on:
UncertainFM (Nostalgia), Music Box Pete, Mark Skin Radio (Original Music Showcase, Christian’s Cosmic Corner, Marc’s Alt-Rock Playground), Code Zero Radio, Boston Emissions, Bay State Rock, BumbleBee Radio, Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico, Blood Makes Noise, WMFO Radio (Rising With Skybar, On The Town With Mikey Dee), Banks Radio Australia, Lonely Oak Radio, Citywide Blackout, WMWM Salem State (Everything You Know Is Wrong), KNNZ Fargo (Your First Listen), 1st 3 Magazine, Spain’s This Is Only Rock Radio, and other fine radio shows, stations, and playlists.
Recent media praise for Bird Language:
“Triumphant” _Ryan’s Smashing Life
“A shimmering force” _1st 3 Magazine
"[‘First Date’] has a great vibe to it, it’s like ‘70s AM soul at first." _Blood Makes Noise
“What these guys do best is to take us away from our surroundings, and transport us into a world where we can leave all our worries behind, and just focus on the things that matter most to us in our lives… ['Apoplectic' is] a mellow, relaxing tune with calming indie melodies omnipresent at every turn that puts you into the right frame of mind almost immediately.” _Music Box Pete
“Bird Language is catchy and cool. The lead single from the forthcoming debut ‘625 Days’ chronicles a night gone wrong through overdriven guitars and moments of exceeding tenderness. Remember that you like fragile as much as relentless (and love them together)...” _Boston Herald
“Bird Language’s ‘Apoplectic’ has an upbeat sound that reminds me of a Friday night in Boston, hanging with my friends while the bands take the stage. A great feeling paired with a really cool tune. Check it out on this week’s playlist.” _Citywide Blackout
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Media Contact: Please direct all press inquiries to Bird Language at birdlanguageband@gmail.com or Michael Marotta at michael@publisist.co.
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