Birds of Play is an Americawna Roots quartet based in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado. Their distinct sound is rooted and inspired by their connection to the land in which they reside. The band features multi-instrumentalists and songwriters Alex Paul on Guitar, Mandolin and Vocals; Eric Shedd on bass, Mandolin, Guitar and Vocals; Anneke Dean on Violin and Vocals and Jake Tolan on Guitar, Mandolin and Vocals.
Their arrangements and compositions reflect their vast and teaming pools of inspiration and from artists such as Wood Brothers, Punch Brothers and Andrew Bird. The band’s high-caliber musicianship and song craft are laced with imagination and a vibrant, intuitive understanding of the human condition – while their live shows weave together an intricate tapestry of place, authenticity, magic, and humor.
Four years into this journey, Birds of Play are venturing further out of the nest to create community and bring people together to share in universal themes of love, connection, and wonder. With an uplifting and joyous exuberance and a fourth studio album Bird Songs of the American West, ( due out August 25th), these four dear friends are riding the thermals of their dedication to ever-greater heights.
Today Glide is excited to premiere the standout tune “Paradox Of Choice,” which is brimming with wisened folk authenticity and bright harmonies. Compared to some of their other work that balances progressive bluegrass and folk with a more old timey roots sound, this feels like a push towards a country-laced form of Americana that brings to mind the likes of Watchhouse, Gillian Welch, and the more serious, somber tunes of The Gourds. There is an intimacy and a maturity that comes through in this infectious reflection on the choices we make.
The band
“This song explores the realm of the “what if”. The space that exists once we make a committing choice and look back and wonder what could have been. The idea that there are no perfect choices. It’s a conversation with that nagging voice that brings up our doubts.”
LISTEN:
