Tonight there'll be a sweeping sound escaping from the walls of the Calvin Theatre in Northampton: a high-pitched flutter delving into deeper territories with effortless, virtuoso-like ease. The instrument? None other than Andrew Bird.
Perhaps music's most renowned whistler, Bird will grace the Pioneer Valley with his presence for a solo performance tonight, displaying his talented lips for all to hear. Removed from recent supporting roles for alt-country heavyweights Wilco and folk-revivalist Bright Eyes, Bird will perform in Northampton as part of his current cross-country solo tour.
While his whistling prowess garners the most attention, Bird is far from a one-trick-pony. Bird is classically trained in violin, obtaining a Bachelors' Degree for performance violin from Northwestern University in 1996.
Before turning to a career as a singer-songwriter, Bird released several albums showcasing his abilities with the violin, exploring genres from jazz to Balkan folk in the process.
Glockenspiel and multiple guitar styles are just a few of the Chicago native's other exploits. His sultry vocal styling and flair for history-laden lyricism add further depth to the multi-instrumentalist's music that wasn't present during his earlier instrumental releases.
Bird's new styles range from the acoustic-laden 2005 album, "The Mysterious Production of Eggs," to the more electric-driven 2007 album "Armchair Apocrypha," his latest release. Bird is an ever-evolving artist, continuously exploring new techniques and landscapes and utilizing his technical gifts while genre-jumping in the process.
Even with his shift to a more electric-oriented approach, Bird hasn't entirely abandoned the acoustic charms that made "The Mysterious Production of Eggs" such a well-received release.
With his latest release, Bird has still maintained his historic-lyrical love affair with all the expected educational aptitude, while moving into more rock-oriented territories. With topics ranging from holy wars and the human consciousness to lost civilizations, Bird covers heavy topics with incredible tact. He crafts accessible narratives around complex themes.
On "Scythian Empires," Bird makes references to modernized artifacts such as Halliburton, Scotch Guard and Macintoshes, while condemning them to potential obscurity in a similar manner to ancient relics of Scythian times. With America's current economic crisis, the societal collapse Bird paints is eerily more relevant now than ever before.
On "Plasticities," Bird laments "This isn't your song, this isn't your music. How can there be wrong, when by committee they choose it all?" delving into the ever-widening gap between the mentalities of the youth and elder generations.
The highlight of the album "Spare-Ohs," features some of Bird's most insightful quips on human understanding. "Don't speak about the cycles of life, 'cause your thoughts are so soft I could cut 'em with a spork or a bride's knife," sings Bird.
While performing solo, Bird is renowned for his ability to utilize looping techniques to accurately replicate some of his more complex selections in the live environment. For an artist with the ability to play a laundry list of instruments, such a technique is a necessity.
Bird's stop at the Calvin Theatre is one of the last on his current tour. Only two Los Angeles dates remain for fans hoping to witness the whistling troubadour in person.
Bird will be supported by Sandro Perri, a solo artist, producer and frequent collaborator from Toronto. Perri, whose music dangles between the wide gap of experimental and folk music, has played with a wide range of traditional-folk acts, including fellow Canadians, Great Lakes Swimmers. Perri's debut album, "Tiny Mirrors" was released in 2007.
Andrew Bird plays tonight with opener Sandro Perri at the Calvin Theatre in Northampton. Doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets range from $18.50 to $28.50.
Brian Wood can be reached at bwood@dailycollegian.com.
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