Paper Bird

It's hard for Paper Bird (due at the Boulder Theater, with Dovekins, for the Long Spoon showcase on September 8) to do wrong — especially on a live record like Carry On, where the band's signature chorus of voices is captured so perfectly in real time. In collaboration with Ballet...

By Bree Davies

August 30, 2011

Audio By Carbonatix

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It's hard for Paper Bird (due at the Boulder Theater, with Dovekins, for the Long Spoon showcase on September 8) to do wrong — especially on a live record like Carry On, where the band's signature chorus of voices is captured so perfectly in real time. In collaboration with Ballet Nouveau Colorado, the local group assembled two acts' worth of new music, its banjo-prominent sound extended with an orchestral section (and even a typewriter in the sonic mix). The record is meant to be absorbed as a continuous narrative, but songs like "Drekovsky," "Witch of the Waves" and "Don't You Run" pop with extra instrumental color, taking surprisingly modern turns in arrangements that break out of the band's traditional folk leanings. The result is just over an hour's walk through the discovery, subsequent loss and rekindling of love, as told through Paper Bird's flawless vocal inter-weavings.

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Bree Davies is a multimedia journalist, artist advocate and community organizer born and raised in Denver. Rooted in the world of Do-It-Yourself arts and music, Davies co-founded Titwrench experimental music festival, is host of the local music and comedy show Sounds on 29th on CPT12 Colorado Public Television and is creator and host of the civic and social issue-focused podcast, Hello? Denver? Are You Still There? Her work is centered on a passionate advocacy for all ages, accessible, inclusive, non-commercial and autonomous DIY art spaces and music venues in Denver.

Contact: Bree Davies

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Twitter: @cocodavies