Bird Talks New Short, Film, Accompanying Soundtrack And More

Multi-instrumentalist Bird will be releasing her forthcoming film soundtrack album for her award-winning short film “Wider Than The Sky” in June 2024. She kindly sat down with us to tell us more about the film, its soundtrack and more:

When did you begin songwriting and recording music?
I started writing music on notepads when I was 7 years old but it took me a lot longer to start on the words…I began my solo project when I was 24

Your new soundtrack album ‘ Wider Than The Sky”, is due for release June 5th. How did you want to approach the making of the record?
The entire film was born really from the music – I’d been working on a big music project for almost 5 years that Covid almost destroyed. Coming out the other side minus the producer and any idea what to do with 5 years of work – I decided to write a short film to showcase some of the music I had been working on all that time..The songs are in part semi autobiographical so I decided the film should be too.

Where did you record the album and who produced it?
I recorded it in my studio in Tuscany Italy where I’m based half the time. I produced it with Pete Davis aka Sleepcub, but a lot of it stems from the original project that Mike Hedges started production with me on, so I feel he’s still an important part of this journey too.

One of the tracks is the single ‘She’ll Turn To Stone’. What was the story/inspiration behind the song?
I co-wrote this track with a dear friend Hal Lindes who used to play guitar in the legendary band Dire Straits.
I had written the lyric already when I got to the studio. I often do that, then keep them in a book waiting for the right music to fit the words, sometimes I do that myself and sometimes someone else will. I remember clearly we were sitting in my old studio in London (where I’m also still based half the time!) and Hal started playing the main guitar riff for this song…and I just felt it was perfect for the lyric…It’s about my Mum who at the time had just been diagnosed with the awful, rare disease Pansclerotic Morphea. It’s a truly horrific and little known condition that literally turns the sufferer to stone from the outside in…Obviously the lyric is inspired by this, it’s not directly about it as I didn’t want people to feel horrified hearing the track..I always strive to write lyrics that have a universal connection. So for me the significance of the lyric is literal but it could be about fear or just detachment from the world..

What was the thought process behind the short film ‘Wider Than The Sky’?
As I said above the film was inspired firstly but my ambition to give some of my music a home. When I decided to make it semi autobiographical it feel natural to write about the most moving part of my life which for me was the time in which I nearly lost my father to cancer but also discovered my love of music.

Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals etc?
Depending on the type of album I make the toys change! This one has cello and ukulele on so I’ll be bringing them both on tour…I just bought a new guitar pedal on a recent trip to Nashville – it’s called the “Flangela Lansbury” – it’s got a picture of Angela Lansbury on and sounds pretty good (you can guess the effect) – it’s way too much fun to take on tour though…it’s staying in the studio…:)

Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
I live between Italy and England so: Green Grey Pasta Pie Airports

Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?
Yes, I’m playing The Great Escape and Black Deer Festivals and should also have a few London shows soon…

You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
Great question! Kae Tempest – The Bricks That Built The Houses – it’s a bold choice I know because she’s also a musician..But I connect deeply with her work being a fellow South Londoner…I can literally smell the places she describes and I’d love to musically interpret her words…I think she’s a total genius..

Which of your new album tracks hear you at your a) happiest, b) angriest and c) most reflective?
I never sing with anger, I am seeking to connect through my music and you can’t make connections when you are angry, you break them with anger.
She’s Like A rainbow has a lot of quirky joy in it, The Tides is full of frustration for a relationship I try and try not to let drown…and What The Night Knows is definitely very much a reflection…even the title is!

Who is in the band with you on the album?
A lot of amazing talented people have played on the songs in this project, Sally Herbert (Florence and the Machine, London Grammar), arranged orchestra, Hal Lindes (Dire Straits) and John Paul White (The Civil Wars) both contributed guitar, Will Sayles and Martin Ditchum (Sade) both played drums and percussion….and I had Scott Mulvahill on bass…

Who are some of your musical influences? Do you have any recommendations?
Listen to as much music as you can…often is my recommendation. Different artists inspire me in different ways..and each album I make has a different approach…During this one I drew on some early influences, The Alex Harvey Band, Nick Drake, Fleetwood Mac, Harry Nilsson and other bands I love, Massive Attack, Portishead, Goldfrapp..

Was it a difficult album to write and film to make?
It wasn’t difficult but it was a new journey, full of firsts…I’d never made a soundtrack before, never written or co-produced a short film but I realised during the process that the classical training and art degree I have were actually great preparation for this..I had no idea what would happen so it’s great to see the film so well received at festivals and winning the odd award or two…

Who designed/created/photographed the album artwork?
The album artwork is taken from the original poster of the film. It was shot by Mick Cookson and the graphic design and layout was Simon Ellis at Astro Studios.

How do you look after your voice?
I don’t drink much alcohol or caffeine and I try not to shout!

What makes Bird happy and what makes you unhappy?
Connecting with other people and making them smile makes me very happy as does Sunday roast dinner in a British pub, a pint of Guinness poured in Dublin, the Tuscan sunshine, my family and my 4 dogs.. Anger, war, very crowded places, people who cough without covering their mouths, young people injecting their faces with poison to be “pretty”, heavy auto tune and lyrics that are abusive just to be cool..none of that works for me..