From: Robert LaDuca <>
Subject: band #9 confirmed for NEARfest: BIRDSONGS OF THE MESOZOIC
NEARfest continues to stretch the boundaries of progressive music with band
#9 for next year's festival, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic. This Boston-based
instrumental 4-piece features guitar, synthesizer, acoustic piano, horns,
theremin, electronic percussion, and samples to create music which the New
York Times calls "a common ground amid garage band rock, classical,
minimalism, progressive rock, and its own favorite noises." Their latest
Cuneiform label release Petrophonics brings some jazz influences into the
mix. Birdsongs' music is definitely "outside of the box", but with an
infectious rhythmic and melodic sensibility and also a sense of playfulness.
Their NEARfest set is sure to delight festgoers, and provide this superb
underrated band with some wider exposure in the progressive music community.
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 From: "Chad Hutchinson" <> Subject:
NEW - Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, "2001 Live Birds"
NEW from NEARfest Records... BIRDSONGS OF THE MESOZOIC, "2001 LIVE BIRDS"
[NFR0005] Release Date: November 23, 204 Available *now* for pre-order!
A volcanic cauldron of melodic chamber rock, "2001 Live Birds", oozes with
virtuosity allthewhile bubbling with humorous overtones. Celebrating their
20th anniversary, Birdsongs of the Mesozoic took the stage to open NEARfest
2001 and captivated the enthusiastic crowd of over 1000 people, hungry for
progressive sound and spirit. This energetic live album, the first ever for
the band, covers the full range of their discography, all of which is
available on Cuneiform Records. Ample samplings from the then-new "Petrophonics"
and "Dancing on A'A" dominate the set, but the band reach back to "Faultline",
"Beat of the Mesozoic" and even "Magnetic Flip" to round out the selection.
One of the most refreshing aspects of Birdsongs of the Mesozoic is their
sense of humor, and they brought it along in full force to this live show.
Their renditions of the themes to "The Simpsons" and "The Rocky & Bullwinkle
Show" are twisted, hilarious and amazing all in one. The packaging for the
album bear mentioning as it featuring a breathtaking painting by Edward
Gordon. The elegance and beauty of the scene call to the craft, talent and
style which Birdsongs of the Mesozoic apply to their tightly arranged
compositions. The cameo of the pterodon in the window reminds one that this
is a Birdsongs album and that primoridal joviality also patrols these lands.
This inspred performance provides an excellent cross-section of the band's
repertoire and truly gives the listener a great feel for the electricity in
the hall that Saturday morning.
Tracklisting: 1. Ptocatta 2. Dancing on A'A 3. Theme from 'Rocky &
Bullwinkle' / Theme from 'The Simpsons' 4. Lost in the B-Zone 5. The
Insidious Revenge of Ultima Thule 6. One Hundred Cycles 7. A Band of Deborahs
(Not Debbies) 8. Ptinct 9. Faultline 10. Birdgam 11. Beat of the Mesozoic
Part 1
Personnel: Erik Lindgren, Piano and percussion; Michael Bierylo, Guitar,
laptop and percussion; Ken Scott, Sax, flute, synthesizer, percussion; Rick
Scott, Synthesizer, percussion
Produced by Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, Mixed by Ken Lacouture, Mastered by
Doug Henderson at micro-moose
Download an MP3 of "Dancing on A'A" at
http://www.nearfestrecords.com