Jill Birt

Last updated

Jill Birt
Birth nameJillian Margaret Birt
Born Tambellup, Western Australia, Australia
Genres Rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, architect
Instrument(s)Keyboard, piano, organ, vocals
Years active1983–present

Jillian Margaret Birt (born 1960) is an Australian rock musician and architect. Birt was the keyboardist and vocalist of the alternative rock and pop band, The Triffids from 1983 to 1989. In 2008, The Triffids were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame.

Contents

Biography

Early years

Jillian Margaret Birt was born in Tambellup, a rural agricultural region of Western Australia 317 km south east of Perth. Her parents were grain and sheep farmers. With her two older brothers, Birt was raised in a deeply religious household. [1] Birt attended the local Tambellup Primary School and then boarded at the Methodist Ladies' College in Perth. [1] After secondary education Birt studied fine arts and formed an all-girl punk band, What Are Little Boys Made Of. [1] Later she was a member of Precious Title. [2]

The Triffids 1983–1989

In April 1983, Jill Birt became a member of the alternative rock and pop band, The Triffids, replacing the band's original keyboardist, Margaret Gillard. The group had formed in Perth in 1978 and, by early 1983, had a line-up of Martyn P. Casey on bass guitar, David McComb on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, his older brother Robert McComb on violin and guitar, and Alan 'Alsy' MacDonald on drums and vocals. [3] [4] [5] They had signed to Mushroom Records' White Label and released the Bad Timing and Other Stories extended play in March. [3] [5] [6] The Triffids had relocated to Sydney, where Birt joined on piano, organ and vocals. [3] [5]

The band's first 12-inch vinyl LP, Treeless Plain , was released in November 1983 by Hot Records. It had been recorded at Emerald City Studios, Sydney, in twelve midnight to dawn sessions, during August through to September with The Triffids self-producing. In April 1984 they returned to the studio with producer Nick Mainsbridge – who had engineered Treeless Plain – to record a seven-track EP, Raining Pleasure , which was issued on Hot Records in June. [3] [4] According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, "it was another superb release highlighted by the shimmering title track 'Raining Pleasure' (sung by Birt), the atmospheric country-blues of 'Jesus Calling' and a mournful rendering of the traditional blues tune 'St James Infirmary'". [3]

In August 1984 the band relocated to London, where they recorded the critically acclaimed album, Born Sandy Devotional in August 1985, which was issued on Mushroom Records in March 1986. The Triffids line-up now included 'Evil' Graham Lee on pedal steel and guitar. [2] Lee had recorded the EP, Lawson Square Infirmary (October 1984) as a side-project by The Triffids members except Birt. [3] Born Sandy Devotional was produced by Gil Norton with Mansbridge engineering. Birt provides vocals for the album's closing track, "Tender Is the Night (The Long Fidelity)". [7] In October 2010, the album was listed at No. 5 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums by music journalists, John O'Donnell, Toby Creswell and Craig Mathieson. [7] The authors described its final tracks:

The swirling strings and the crescendo of "Stolen Property" hangs in the air as Casey's bass steps forward to accompany Jill Birt's dry, fragile voice on "Tender Is the Night (The Long Fidelity)" ... Birt sings, 'He never asks after her anymore/He made a point of losing her address' as though her friend has hardened his heart to its defence. Later Birt is joined by David McComb who suggests they go out but his thoughts inexorably turn to the ex-lover on the other side of the world with the exquisite lines 'It's getting dark earlier now/But where you are it's just getting light' ... It's a devastating song, so full of sadness.

O'Donnell, Creswell and Mathieson, 100 Best Australian Albums , p. 35. [7]

Through the rest of 1985 and early the next year, The Triffids toured Europe. [3] They returned to Australia to tour and in April 1986 they recorded their next studio album, In the Pines , on the McCombs' family property in Ravensthorpe, about 540 km south east of Perth. [3] [4] For the album Birt is credited with keyboards and metal percussion. [8] In 1987 the band signed a three-record deal with Island Records, which saw the release of Calenture which had been recorded from April to August and was issued in November that year. Penny Black Music's John Clarkson declared "[t]he breezy 'Trick of the Light', another failed single and an attempt at a pop number, pushes Jill Birt’s cascading, gorgeous keyboards to the fore, but again has a bleak undercurrent". [9] The track, "Open for You", was co-written by Birt and David McComb. [10] It reminded Rolling Stone 's David Fricke of "Lou Reed's acoustic lullabies with The Velvet Underground (no small thanks to the whispery Mo Tucker-style harmonies by pianist Jill Birt), is ostensibly a song of forgiveness. But the gruesome imagery in the second verse – 'Well, they've dug up the patch/And found the remains ... hidden beneath that old stone/Where we carved our names on the underside' – makes you wonder if McComb is singing about emotional resilience or romantic delusion". [11]

The Triffid's final studio album, The Black Swan , was released in April 1989. Birt's vocals were highlighted on the album's lead single "Goodbye Little Boy", issued in March which reached No. 81 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. [12] The single's cover depicts a close-up of Birt in sunglasses. [13] Allmusic's Wilson Neate discovered her "little-girl voice and an electronic sheen make 'Goodbye Little Boy' one of the band's purest pop statements". [14] "Good Fortune Rose" from the album is another composition by Birt – co-written with MacDonald. [15] In April 1989 NME 's Gavin Martin described "Goodbye Little Boy" as "a modern girlie pop classic – breathy charm with a sting in the tale, a sure fire hit whenever the necessary radio edit has been made of the line 'I'm so fucking tired'" and found her own composition, "Good Fortune Rose" to be "a delicately blossoming thing etching a young girl's aspirations on the cusp of womanhood – a heady mix of innocence and sophistication". [1] David McComb described her songwriting "[t]he great thing about Jill’s songs is that they're the first she's ever written and the first 10 songs that anyone writes are usually the best, they're so fresh and alive ... When Jill was going to join the band I interviewed a techno keyboard player who was a brilliant musician but he wasn't right. Jill joined for fun, friendship and adventure. Those are far better reasons". [1] In August 1989, tired from the constant travelling and touring, the band dissolved. [4]

Post-Triffids

Jill Birt married MacDonald, and they have three children, the family reside in East Fremantle. In 1990, The Triffids were honoured at the West Australian Music Industry Awards with a trophy for 'Most Outstanding International Achievement Award'. [16]

I remember one night at the Burswood Casino, it must have been in about 1990. The Western Australia Music Industry had this big event at the showroom and someone announced the winner of the most outstanding WA contribution to the national and international music scene. It was The Triffids. There was a young woman who was working at the show serving drinks. All of a sudden, she put down her tray, walked up on stage in her Burswood uniform and collected the prize. It was Jill Birt, the keyboardist. While the rest of the music industry was sitting around in black ties and tuxes, the only person from the band who was there to accept the award was serving them drinks. It was very telling.

Steve Gordon, Western Australian music industry insider, quoted in Barass, Tony (17 April 1999), "Beautiful Waste", The Australian . [17]

In 1993, Birt studied architecture at the University of Western Australia and became a qualified architect, whilst MacDonald is a lawyer for the Equal Opportunity Commission in Perth. [17] In February 1999 David McComb died of heroin toxicity and mild acute rejection of his 1996 heart transplant. Both Birt and MacDonald have performed on The Triffids reunions, in June 2006, [18] and January 2008. [19] Surviving members of The Triffids – Birt, Casey, Lee, MacDonald and Robert McComb – were joined by guest singers and musicians, Mick Harvey (The Bad Seeds), Toby Martin (Youth Group), Mark and Rob Snarski (The Blackeyed Susans), Steve Kilbey (The Church) and Melanie Oxley. [19] [20] Graham Hill of ABC's national radio's Dig Music, found the "delivery of 'Goodbye Little Boy' was as close to 'original line-up' as you could hope for, but throughout the evening it was hard to shake the obvious absence – this was not a reunion, it was a celebration of a songwriter". [21] Hill noted "[t]he final song was left to Jill Birt, who offered a word-perfect rendition of 'Tender Is the Night' despite losing her lyrics amidst the mountain of crib sheets of earlier singers". [21] The 2008 performances were issued as a DVD documentary, It's Raining Pleasure (2009), directed by Steven Levett. [19]

On 1 July 2008, The Triffids were inducted by Nick Cave into the ARIA Hall of Fame; former members were joined on-stage by Snarski as vocalist for "Red Pony" and Kilbey as vocalist for "Wide Open Road". [22] [23] [24] In April 2010, The Triffids reunited for performances in London with various guest vocalists in place of David McComb, Dev Hynes, Harvey, Snarski, Simon Breed and Tindersticks' Stuart Staples. [25]

In July 2011 Birt released a solo four-track EP, Still Life. [18] [26] Joining Birt on the EP were Casey and MacDonald with Adrian Hoffman (The Morning Light), guesting on individual tracks were Rob McComb and Lee. [26] Birt designed the cover, with Pippa Hurst, and the lino cut was provided by Oscar MacDonald. [27] Birt and MacDonald toured Australia in July 2011. In November and December that year another The Triffids reunion series, including an appearance at the Queenscliff Music Festival, had guest vocals from Harvey and Breed. [28]

On 21 April 2012 Birt released her debut solo album, Render & Prosper. All nine songs were written by Birt, together with one a collaboration with MacDonald. Similar to her EP, MacDonald, Casey and Hoffman all both perform on the album with appearances by Graham Lee, Robert McComb and Ricky Maymi (Brian Jonestown Massacre). In May 2012 Birt and McDonald performed tracks from her debut solo album in Newtown. [29]

Discography

Albums

EPs

Related Research Articles

The Triffids were an Australian alternative rock and pop band, formed in Perth in Western Australia in May 1978 with David McComb as singer-songwriter, guitarist, bass guitarist and keyboardist. They achieved some success in Australia, but greater success in the UK and Scandinavia in the 1980s before disbanding in 1989. Their best-known songs include "Wide Open Road" and "Bury Me Deep in Love". SBS television featured their 1986 album, Born Sandy Devotional, on the Great Australian Albums series in 2007, and in 2010 it ranked 5th in the book The 100 Best Australian Albums by Toby Creswell, Craig Mathieson and John O'Donnell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David McComb</span> Australian musician

David Richard McComb was an Australian musician. He was the singer-songwriter and guitarist of the Australian bands, The Triffids (1976–89) and The Blackeyed Susans (1989–93). He also had a solo career including leading David McComb and The Red Ponies. Over his career McComb had bouts of alcoholism, and amphetamine and heroin abuse. He developed cardiomyopathy and in 1996 underwent a heart transplant. David McComb died on 2 February 1999 "due to heroin toxicity and mild acute rejection of his 1996 heart transplant", according to the coroner. In May 2001, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "Wide Open Road" by The Triffids – written by McComb – as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. On 1 July 2008 The Triffids were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame with McComb's contribution acknowledged by a tribute performance.

For the American band with a similar name, see Blackeyed Susan.

<i>In the Pines</i> (album) 1986 studio album by The Triffids

In The Pines is an album by The Triffids, released in August 1986, which reached No. 69 on the Australian Album Charts.

<i>Calenture</i> (album) 1987 studio album by The Triffids

Calenture is the fourth studio album by Australian rock group The Triffids, it was released in November 1987 and saw them explore themes of insanity, deception and rootlessness—the title refers to a fever suffered by sailors during long hot voyages. It reached No. 32 on the Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart. In November 1987, it reached No. 24 on the Swedish Albums Chart, in May 1988 it peaked at No. 25 on the New Zealand Albums Chart. The album spawned three singles, "Bury Me Deep in Love" (1987), "Trick of the Light" and "Holy Water". The latter track was recorded with American producer Craig Leon.

<i>Love in Bright Landscapes</i> 1986 compilation album by The Triffids

Love In Bright Landscapes is an anthology by Australian folk rock group, The Triffids, which was released in 1986. The original LP had ten tracks compiled from their album, EP and single releases in the period from 1983 to 1985, during which time the group were resident in Perth, Sydney and London. Three additional tracks from the same sources were included on the later CD version of the album.

<i>The Black Swan</i> (The Triffids album) 1989 studio album by The Triffids

The Black Swan is the fifth and final studio album by The Triffids, released in April 1989 and peaking at No. 59 on the Australian Album Charts. The album was originally conceived as a double album.

<i>Treeless Plain</i> 1983 studio album by The Triffids

Treeless Plain is the debut album by The Triffids, released in November, 1983. The album was recorded at Emerald City Studios, Sydney, Australia in twelve midnight to dawn sessions, during August through to September 1983. It was the band's first release after signing with Hot Records.

<i>Stockholm</i> (The Triffids album) 1990 live album by The Triffids

Stockholm is a live recording by Australian rock group, The Triffids, released in July 1990 and is the final official recording by the band. All tracks were recorded live in Stockholm in 1989 for Swedish National Radio, The Bommen Show. The album was produced by Lars Aldman, engineered by Michael Bergek, and mixed at Planet Sound Studios, Perth on 15, 16 and 17 September 1989 by James Hewgill and David McComb.

<i>Raining Pleasure</i> (EP) 1984 EP by The Triffids

Raining Pleasure is a record released in 1984 by the Australian folk rock group The Triffids as a 12" vinyl EP. It reached No. 95 on the Australian Charts. Its seven tracks were co-produced by the group with Nick Mainsbridge who also supplied trumpet.

Alan MacDonald is an Australian musician and lawyer, best known as the drummer of the 1980s band the Triffids, where he performed under his nickname 'Alsy'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trick of the Light (The Triffids song)</span> 1988 single by The Triffids

"Trick of the Light" is a single released in January 1988 by Australian group The Triffids from their album Calenture. The single appeared in 7", 10", 12" and CD single versions. It was produced by Gil Norton and written by David McComb. The B-Side "Love the Fever" was co-written by David McComb and Adam Peters and was produced by Peters. It was recorded in August 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bury Me Deep in Love</span> 1987 single by The Triffids

Bury Me Deep in Love is a single released by Australian rock group The Triffids from their album Calenture. It appeared in October 1987 and reached No. 48 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. It was produced by Gil Norton and written by David McComb, the group's lead singer and guitarist. The B-sides "Baby Can I Walk You Home" and "Region Unknown" were produced by Victor Van Vugt and The Triffids. The single was released as 7", 12" & CD single versions.

<i>Dedicated to the Ones We Love</i> 2001 studio album by The Blackeyed Susans

Dedicated to the Ones We Love is the fifth studio album by the Australian folk rock group The Blackeyed Susans and was released on 23 April 2001. It is the first issued on their own label, Teardrop, and was distributed through Shock Records. As the name suggests, it is a collection of cover versions, focusing on songs that have influenced and inspired the band. It includes songs made popular by Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, The Crystals, Bob Dylan, The Velvet Underground, and, most poignantly, The Triffids. The Triffids were the previous band of David McComb, who had died in 1999 and was a founding member of The Blackeyed Susans. The album was well received by the public and lauded by the critics, a national tour followed keeping the band busy until the end of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wide Open Road (The Triffids song)</span> 1986 single by The Triffids

"Wide Open Road" is a single released in 1986 by Australian rock band The Triffids from their album Born Sandy Devotional. It was produced by Gil Norton and written by David McComb on vocals, keyboards and guitar. The B-side "Time of Weakness" was recorded live at the Graphic Arts Club, Sydney, November 1985 by Mitch Jones, mixed by Rob Muir. "Dear Miss Lonely Hearts" was recorded at Planet Sound Studios, Perth and produced by the Triffids. "Wide Open Road" reached No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart in 1986, and No. 64 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. In May 2001 the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "Wide Open Road" as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goodbye Little Boy</span> 1989 single by The Triffids

"Goodbye Little Boy" was the first single released in March 1989 by Australian group The Triffids ahead of their album The Black Swan. Lead vocals are provided by Jill Birt, their keyboardist, instead of David McComb, the group's usual lead singer. Birt is also featured on the single's front cover.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Water (The Triffids song)</span> 1988 single by The Triffids

"Holy Water" was the third single taken from Australian rock group The Triffids' Calenture album, and was released in August 1988. It was produced by Craig Leon and was written by lead guitarist and lead singer David McComb. This was one of only two tracks that resulted from Leon's production of the band's fourth album. The production costs of Leon's efforts were more than the total costs of the band's break-through album, Born Sandy Devotional. The record sleeve however credits the production to Gil Norton who produced the remainder of the album with the band. The single was released as 7", 12" and CD single versions by Island Records but failed to chart in either Australia or the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Waste</span> 1984 single by The Triffids

"Beautiful Waste" is a single released by Australian rock group, The Triffids in February 1984. Not included on any of the band's studio albums nor extended plays, it was first compiled on Australian Melodrama (1994). Its B-side, "Property Is Condemned", was included on the 1984 EP Raining Pleasure. A film clip was made for "Beautiful Waste". Its name was adapted for a 2008 posthumous compilation of mid-1980s non-album tracks, Beautiful Waste and Other Songs.

The Triffids were an Australian rock band from Perth, Western Australia. They have released five studio albums, one live album, ten singles, six extended plays, nine cassette tapes, four compilation albums and a video album. The Triffids formed in 1978 by mainstay David McComb, his school friend Alsy MacDonald together with Phil Kakulas. Their first release was a cassette tape, Triffids 1st recorded in May, by September they had added Byron Sinclair and released, Triffids 2nd with four more cassette tapes released by 1981. Considerable line-up changes had occurred resulting in McComb and MacDonald with Will Akers, Margaret Gillard, Robert McComb and Mark Peters. "Stand Up", their first single, was released in July 1981 from Triffids 6th. Their first extended play, Reverie appeared in November 1982.

Martha's Vineyard were an Australian rock band formed in Perth in May 1986 by lead singer Peggy Van Zalm. In June 1989 the group issued their debut self-titled album on rooArt, which was produced by Nick Mainsbridge. It peaked in the top 100 on the Kent Music Report Albums Chart. Australian musicologist, Ian McFarlane, described their sound as "reflective folk rock [which] mixed melancholy vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, gentle percussion and spacious arrangements to arrive at a harmonious and intriguing whole". They shared a similar sound and outlook to that of fellow Perth bands like The Triffids, The Honeys and Chad's Tree. Van Zalm's vocals drew positive comparisons with Patti Smith, Chrissie Hynde and Joni Mitchell. The group had toured nationally supporting Simply Red, INXS, Eurythmics, The Go-Betweens, Paul Kelly, The Triffids, Mental as Anything, The Saints and Weddings, Parties, Anything, before disbanding in 1990. By 1994 Van Zalm had launched her solo career.

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