The Mynabirds

Last updated

The Mynabirds
The Mynabirds 02 28 2016 -1 (25321480953).jpg
Background information
Origin Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Genres Indie pop, indie rock, garage rock, blue-eyed soul, shoegaze, new wave
Years active2009–present
Labels Saddle Creek
MembersLaura Burhenn
Past membersTom Hnatow
Tyler Odom
Patrick Damphier
Nicole Childrey
Rebecca Marie Miller

The Mynabirds are an American indie pop band founded by singer-songwriter and pianist Laura Burhenn, [1] who was previously one half of the Washington, D.C., indie duo Georgie James. [2] Burhenn formed The Mynabirds in 2009, [3] and shortly after signed to Saddle Creek Records and relocated to Omaha, Nebraska. [4] The sound has been described by Pitchfork as "...openhearted, politically engaged, feminist pop that, miraculously, never veers into schmaltz." [5]

Contents

History

Laura Burhenn early years (1994–2008)

After years of classical piano and stints singing and playing keyboards in rock bands and electronica projects in Washington, D.C., [6] Burhenn founded her own record label, Laboratory Records, and began releasing solo work. Burhenn's first solo record, Not Ashamed to Say, was released in 1999 and is a collection of thirteen songs written from 1994 to 1998. After releasing a split 7" in 2003, Burhenn released the full-length Wanderlust in 2004. In 2005, Burhenn teamed up with John Davis, drummer of defunct DC trio Q and Not U, to form Georgie James. Laura first worked with Saddle Creek in 2007 on Georgie James' debut LP, Places. [7] The duo parted ways in late 2008. [8]

What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood (2010)

Burhenn went into the studio with Richard Swift in the summer of 2009 and recorded what would become the debut album from The Mynabirds. The band signed with Saddle Creek in January 2010 [9] and released What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood to critical acclaim in April 2010. Anthony Lombardi described the record in PopMatters as "...a soul-purging, powerful statement of survival and self-assertion that stands head and shoulders above the current crop of navel-gazers populating today’s underground music scene." [10] The Mynabirds supported their debut LP with more than a year of touring with Bright Eyes, David Bazan and Crooked Fingers. Burhenn also toured at this time as a member of Bright Eyes. [11]

Generals (2012)

At the end of 2011, Burhenn headed back into the studio with Swift to begin work on The Mynabirds' second album, Generals. Saddle Creek released the title-track single in February 2012 as a free download. [12] The album was released on June 5, and was met with near universal critical acclaim, with Gianna Stefanelli of CMJ describing the work as "...a serious and intellectual pop album." [13]

Laura Burhenn tour with The Postal Service (2013)

In 2013, Burhenn was a touring member of The Postal Service's reunion tour. She provided back-up vocals along with Jenny Lewis.

Lovers Know (2015)

In May 2015, The Mynabirds' official website announced that Lovers Know would be released on August 7, 2015 via Saddle Creek. Lovers Know took a year to make, as Burhenn drove across the US twice and toured South Africa solo while writing. Burhenn then spent eight months in studios in Los Angeles, Nashville, Joshua Tree and Auckland, New Zealand with producer Bradley Hanan Carter (of Black English). [14]

The first single, "Semantics", debuted on NPR's All Songs Considered on May 12, 2015. [15]

Be Here Now (2017)

In the summer of 2017, Burhenn released a series of EPs that culminated in the release of the album Be Here Now. This album was the product of two weeks of writing and recording with singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer Patrick Damphier in Nashville, TN after the presidential inauguration and the Women's March. [16]

Members

Past members

Discography

YearDetailsPeak chart positions
US
US
Heat
[17]
2010 What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood —36
2012 Generals
  • Released: June 5, 2012
  • Label: Saddle Creek
—18
2015Lovers Know
  • Released: August 7, 2015
  • Label: Saddle Creek
——
2017Be Here Now
  • Released: August 25, 2017
  • Label: Saddle Creek
——
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bright Eyes (band)</span> American indie rock band

Bright Eyes is an American indie rock band founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist Conor Oberst. It consists of Oberst, multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis, arranger, composer and trumpet and piano player Nate Walcott, and a rotating line-up of collaborators drawn primarily from Omaha's indie music scene. Between 1998 and 2011, the band's albums were released through Saddle Creek Records, a Nebraska-based label founded by Justin Oberst and Mogis. In January 2020, the band announced their return, having signed with Dead Oceans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Faint</span> American indie rock band

The Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Graham Ulicny, Dapose and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst. He quit shortly after the band was formed, though the Faint continued to share a spot with Bright Eyes on Saddle Creek Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bratmobile</span> American punk band

Bratmobile is an American punk band from Olympia, Washington, formed in 1991. They are known for being one of the first-generation "riot grrrl" bands. The band was influenced by several eclectic musical styles, including elements of pop, surf, and garage rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saddle Creek Records</span> American record label

Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Mike Mogis and Justin Oberst in 1993. Mogis soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel. The label is named after Saddle Creek Road, a major street which cuts through midtown Omaha and also the beginnings of a scene whose members included Justin's brother Conor Oberst, Tim Kasher, and others. Collectively, they were known unofficially as the "Creekers". Saddle Creek first appeared in print on a show flyer, offering to "Spend an evening with Saddle Creek" Saddle Creek became an incorporated entity as a result of a class project on entrepreneurship. Distribution is handled by Redeye Distribution.

Desaparecidos was an American punk rock band from Omaha, Nebraska headed by singer/guitarist Conor Oberst, the frontman of indie rock band Bright Eyes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Postal Service</span> American indie pop band

The Postal Service is an American indie pop group from Seattle, Washington, consisting of singer Ben Gibbard, producer Jimmy Tamborello, and Jenny Lewis on background vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cursive (band)</span> American indie rock band

Cursive is an American indie rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. Stylistically described as emo and post-hardcore, Cursive came to prominence with 2000's Domestica and found commercial and critical success with 2003's The Ugly Organ. The band has released eight studio albums, a compilations album, and a mix of singles and EPs since 1997. They have released recordings on several labels, including 15 Passenger Records, Saddle Creek Records, and Big Scary Monsters (UK).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenny Lewis</span> American musician

Jennifer Diane Lewis is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and keyboardist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Azure Ray</span> American dream pop duo

Azure Ray is an American dream pop duo, consisting of musicians Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor. Formed in Athens, Georgia, in 2001, they later moved to Omaha, Nebraska, and became part of the Saddle Creek Records music scene, which also included Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Cursive. Azure Ray's music has often been featured in film and television, including Six Feet Under, Grey's Anatomy, and The Devil Wears Prada. They have released five albums and several EPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Thermals</span> American indie rock band

The Thermals were an American indie rock band based in Portland, Oregon, United States. The group was formed in 2002. With influences heavily rooted in both lofi, as well as standard rock, the band's songs were also known for their political and religious imagery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Two Gallants (band)</span> American guitar/drum duo

Two Gallants are a guitar/drum duo from San Francisco, California. Consisting of Adam Stephens and Tyson Vogel, the band formed in 2002. Two Gallants are often described as punk and blues-infused folk rock, with the band's sound developing deeper into rock and roll on later releases. The band has released five studio albums, two EPs, and several singles since 2004 as well as touring extensively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Taylor (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1976)

Maria Diane Taylor is an American singer-songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink. Taylor plays several instruments, including the guitar, drums, and piano and has collaborated or performed with such artists as Bright Eyes, Phoebe Bridgers, Moby, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Joshua Radin, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orenda Fink</span> Musical artist

Orenda Fink is an American singer, musician, and writer. Perhaps best known as half of the duo Azure Ray, Fink is also a member of Art in Manila, O+S, Closeness, and High Up, and has played with or appeared as a guest on records by Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst, Moby, The Faint, Pete Yorn, and others. She is married to Todd Fink of The Faint.

<i>The Storms of Early Summer: Semantics of Song</i> 1998 studio album by Cursive

The Storms of Early Summer: Semantics of Song is the second full-length album by the American indie rock band Cursive, released in 1998.

Georgie James was an American indie pop/rock group from Washington D.C. composed of John Davis and Laura Burhenn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rural Alberta Advantage</span> Canadian rock band

The Rural Alberta Advantage is a Canadian indie rock band that formed in 2005 in Toronto, Ontario. The band consists of Nils Edenloff on lead vocals and guitar, Amy Cole on keyboards, bass, and backing vocals, and Paul Banwatt on drums. They have released four albums and are signed to Paper Bag Records in Canada and Saddle Creek Records internationally. In 2011, they were nominated for a Polaris Music Prize.

<i>The Peoples Key</i> 2011 studio album by Bright Eyes

The People's Key is the ninth studio album by American band Bright Eyes. The album was recorded in Omaha, Nebraska at ARC Studios, produced by Mike Mogis, and engineered by Mogis and Andy LeMaster. The album was released on February 15, 2011, lead singer Conor Oberst's 31st birthday, by Saddle Creek Records. Prior to its official release, the album was available to stream online in its entirety, as part of NPR's "First Listen" series.

<i>What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood</i> 2010 studio album by The Mynabirds

What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood is the first studio album by the indie pop band The Mynabirds. It was released by Saddle Creek Records on April 27, 2010 and produced by Richard Swift.

<i>Generals</i> (album) 2012 studio album by The Mynabirds

Generals is the second studio album by the indie pop band The Mynabirds. It was released by Saddle Creek Records on June 5, 2012 and produced by Richard Swift. The album's title was inspired by Richard Avedon's photograph "Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis Schefano</span> American singer-songwriter

Louis Schefano is an American singer-songwriter, producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Birmingham, Alabama, United States. He has recorded under various monikers including Regia, Louis, and Suspicious Light. Schefano was also a founding member of Remy Zero and Little Red Rocket, and has performed, produced or recorded with Azure Ray, Maria Taylor, Verbena, Cheshires, Bright Eyes, The Ladybug Transistor, and Jaymay.

References

  1. ↑ "Q&A with Laura Burhenn of The Mynabirds". We Love DC. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  2. ↑ [ dead link ]
  3. ↑ Archived August 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Cheryl Waters. "The Mynabirds: Dusty In Omaha". NPR. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  5. ↑ "The Mynabirds: Generals | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Featured artist". Radioindy.com. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ "GEORGIE JAMES (Q and not U) signs to Saddle Creek + 2007 Tour Dates". Brooklynvegan.com. May 17, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  8. ↑ ""Hard Feelings"?: Georgie James break up | Vox Populi". Blog.georgetownvoice.com. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  9. ↑ Sudol, Brendan (January 27, 2010). "Saddle Creek Signs The Mynabirds (ex-Georgie James) | Music News | Releases". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  10. ↑ Lombardi, Anthony (April 30, 2010). "The Mynabirds: What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood". PopMatters. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  11. ↑ Fischer, Jonathan L. (December 15, 2010). "Laura Burhenn Joins Bright Eyes – Arts Desk". Washingtoncitypaper.com. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  12. ↑ "The Mynabirds announce new record, free MP3, and portrait project". Saddle Creek. February 21, 2012. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  13. ↑ Gianna Stefanelli. "Review: Mynabirds – Generals (Saddle Creek)". Cmj.com. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Listen to "Semantics" + Pre-Order the New Album, Lovers Know, Out August 7th on Saddle Creek" . Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  15. ↑ "The Mynabirds, 'Semantics'". NPR . Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  16. ↑ "The Mynabirds, Be Here Now" . Retrieved September 1, 2017.
  17. ↑ "The Mynabirds – Chart History". Billboard.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.