Filmed by Tom Beal, Andrew Hubright, & Michael Ruther.
Edited by Andrew Hubright.
Special thanks to dancers, Mollie Sansone & Gerald Watson.
"We gave Mollie and Gerald complete creative control over the dance," Birdtalker told American Songwriter. "A majority of the content is improvisation, while a few sections were choreographed in the moment. The idea was to manifest a kind of visual mediation on the music and lyrics through another art form. The whole process felt very true and beautiful." - Zack
Birdtalker - Heavy (Official Video)Birdtalker2018-08-14 | Directed & produced by Birdtalker
Filmed by Tom Beal, Andrew Hubright, & Michael Ruther.
Edited by Andrew Hubright.
Special thanks to dancers, Mollie Sansone & Gerald Watson.
"We gave Mollie and Gerald complete creative control over the dance," Birdtalker told American Songwriter. "A majority of the content is improvisation, while a few sections were choreographed in the moment. The idea was to manifest a kind of visual mediation on the music and lyrics through another art form. The whole process felt very true and beautiful." - Zack
We're Dani and Zack, the two artists behind Birdtalker - an indie folk-rock band from Nashville, TN.
We're heading into a new album-writing season, and we want to bring you along. This is where we'll share the work as it's being made. We will post voice memos, demos, and song sketches as they happen; the phonetic scatting, the half-finished ideas, the pieces that become Birdtalker songs and the ones that don't. Dani writes poems and makes illustrations that she will share, and you'll be the first to have access to her book that will be printed later this year.
You'll get early access to new music, monthly living room sessions, and the chance to help us decide what we work on next. We'd love for you to be here.
-Dani & ZackBirdtalker - St. Marie [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-11-14 | "St. Marie" is available for download and streaming now:
V1 I’ll follow the sound Even when the sun goes down I’ll find my way I’ll find my way to St. Marie
I’ll stumble along Even if the map is wrong I’ll find my way, I’ll find my way to St. Marie
Chorus Where it gets easy Could it be easy
V2 I’ll climb any hill Even if its further still I’ll find... Rainwater gets in I guess I’ll learn how to swim I’ll let it rise I’ll find my way to St. Marie I’ll find my way to St. Marie
Chorus Where it gets easy Could it be easy
V3 I’ll shelter this flame Even when it feels insane I’ll find my way I’ll find the place I cannot see Where everything comes easy I’ll find my way to St. MarieBirdtalker - Season of Charade [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-11-14 | "Season of Charade" is available for download and streaming now:
Verse 1 The Moon is out And shadows crawl They find me hiding in the basement I’ve heard the tale Of the great white whale Can’t get my legs to go and chase it
Verse 2 Now the Money’s gone But the dream lives on Guess I’ll keep slaving at the game show Spin the wheel Aw but nothing’s real Answer the answer with a question
Chorus And it’s wild, isn’t it? How we all just jive with it In this hazy maze we made And the time’s spilling While we fake our fine living In this season of charade
Verse 3 A wizard out in Malibu I saw him selling inspiration Well I bought the book Read every page But couldn’t find a revelation
Chorus 2 And it’s wild, isn’t it? How we all just jive with it In this hazy maze we made And the time’s spilling While we fake our fine living In this season of charade Aw the sun’s grinning Watching all of our tires spinning In this hazy maze we made While the time’s spilling I keep on hoping the lights are dimming On this season of charadeBirdtalker - Falling Forward [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-11-14 | "Falling Forward" is available for download and streaming now:
Falling forward to a place I cannot see Falling forward Falling forward to a place I cannot see Falling forward Falling forward to a place I cannot see Falling, falling, forwardBirdtalker - Roll Down [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-11-14 | "Roll Down" is available for download and streaming now:
V1 Do you ever feel like we’re on a hill in a dream Rolling down, down to the bottom of a rolling sea Tattered wheels are turning but the motor is dead I forget, was there a moment that pushed us over the edge?
Chorus I don’t wanna talk about it I just wanna roll down And we can work it out Maybe when we hit the ground Oh, but baby for now I don’t wanna talk about it I just wanna roll
V2 Do you ever wonder, does a leaf ever scream When the breeze finally wins and plucks it from the tree Got a sinking feeling that we’re gonna survive After all the leaves have fallen and the screams subside
Chorus I don’t wanna talk about it I just wanna roll down And we can work it out Maybe when we hit the ground Oh, but baby for now I don’t wanna talk about it I just wanna roll I just wanna roll Down
‘Cause I don’t wanna talk about it I just wanna slow down And we can work it out Maybe when we hit the ground Oh, but baby for now I don’t wanna talk about it I just wanna rollBirdtalker - Creatures [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-09-19 | "Creatures" is available for download and streaming now:
Verse 1 We could say the things we always do But they ain’t chewin’ like they used to So what if we tried kissin’ that goodbye And livin’ like the creatures do
Chorus 1 I wanna take you in like a view Don’t wanna say a word, like a fool There’s not a single thing I wanna do Just wanna be alive, just wanna pass the time ‘Cause baby I’m a thread and you’re the spool I’m a hot summer kid and you’re the pool World is gonna fray and we are too But if it’s going down, I’m going down with you
Verse 2 Here, I found a stone, this one’s for you I’m reading me a poem, wanna read it too? I can never really say what I want to you So I think I’ll give it up, I think this is enough
Chorus 2 ‘Wanna take you in like a view Don’t wanna say a word, like a fool There’s not a single thing I wanna do Just wanna be alive, just wanna pass the time with you ‘Cause baby I’m a thread and you’re the spool I’m a hot summer kid and you’re the pool World is gonna fray and we are too But if it’s going down, I’m going down with you
Final Chorus ‘Cause baby I’m a thread and you’re the spool I’m a hot summer kid and you’re the pool World is gonna fray and we are too But if it’s going down, if it’s goin’ down I’m going down with youBirdtalker - Light On [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-08-01 | "Light On" is available for download and streaming now:
I see your face when the music fades I see you reaching for those endless summer days In the dead of winter when the world is solid shapes Longing for the lightness of the white wing dove
What keeps your light on Teach me the song that sings you home What keeps your dreams drawn Across your eyes when you’re alone My friend I wanna feed ya The tangerine sunset So what keeps your light on
Pull me in To your secret den We’ll light a fire And find the sparkle in a stone
What keeps your light on Teach me the song that sings you home What keeps your dreams drawn Across your eyes when you’re alone My friend I wanna feed ya The tangerine sunset So what keeps your light on
Sun never stops burning Hearts never stop yearning
What keeps your light on Teach me the song that sings you home What keeps your dreams drawn Across your eyes when you’re alone
What keeps your light on Teach me the song that sings you home What keeps your dreams drawn Across your eyes when you’re alone My friend I wanna feed ya The tangerine sunset So what keeps your light on
What keeps your light on What keeps your light on What keeps your light on What keeps your light onBirdtalker - Lifes A Trip [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-05-16 | "Life's a Trip" is available for download and streaming now:
Do you need a light to come on Has empty night been on your breath without a song For a while Are your stage clothes getting worn Been playing roles that you are not for far too long
And you’re at the end of the show Of the stories you’ve bought and you’ve sold
Do you need a breeze to linger A simple word or touch that lets you know you’re here And alive Lost in the haze that you made In dizzy dreams where truth and lies all look the same But it feels so real
We’re Falling and flying While we’re living and dying We’re Losing and finding While we’re laughing and crying And we don’t know how we got here Life’s a trip
Have you been afraid to go out And show the world the parts that you could do without What if your cracks are glowing And through them shine a world that you would not believe Until you take a look
We’re Falling and flying While we’re living and dying We’re losing and finding While we’re laughing and crying And we don’t know how we got here Life’s a trip
I know you’ve been calling out and no one seems to answer But it isn’t the end, my friend
It’s sound and it’s silence It’s the rain on the violets It’s narrow and winding It’s black and blinding
We’re Falling and flying While we’re living and dying Losing and finding While we’re laughing and crying and we don’t know how long got we’ve got here Life’s a trip Life’s a tripBirdtalker - Lifes A Trip [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-05-16 | "Life's A Trip" is available for download and streaming now:
Do you need a light to come on Has empty night been on your breath without a song For a while Are your stage clothes getting worn Been playing roles that you are not for far too long
And you’re at the end of the show Of the stories you’ve bought and you’ve sold
Do you need a breeze to linger A simple word or touch that lets you know you’re here And alive Lost in the haze that you made In dizzy dreams where truth and lies all look the same But it feels so real
We’re Falling and flying While we’re living and dying We’re Losing and finding While we’re laughing and crying And we don’t know how we got here Life’s a trip
Have you been afraid to go out And show the world the parts that you could do without What if your cracks are glowing And through them shine a world that you would not believe Until you take a look
We’re Falling and flying While we’re living and dying We’re losing and finding While we’re laughing and crying And we don’t know how we got here Life’s a trip
I know you’ve been calling out and no one seems to answer But it isn’t the end, my friend
It’s sound and it’s silence It’s the rain on the violets It’s narrow and winding It’s black and blinding
We’re Falling and flying While we’re living and dying Losing and finding While we’re laughing and crying and we don’t know how long got we’ve got here Life’s a trip Life’s a tripBirdtalker - Faded [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-04-11 | "Faded" is available for download and streaming now:
The locks are broken And the night is roaming There’s no place to go Where the darkness isn’t going I know your heart was open And now it’s folding I know you saw a place where we’d be face to face And now you’re losing focus
But I’ve never faded on you No I’ve never faded on you
I know you don’t wanna find my eyes ‘Cause you’re just so tired of feeling so tired Like you’ve gotta pick yourself up With whatever gets it done And like it feels so wrong To have to do it alone
But I’ve never faded on you No I’ve never faded on you
When your defenses can’t hold anymore Yeah, when life comes barging through your door Has you picking up its messes off of your floor On your hands and knees I hope you’re feeling me
‘Cause I’ve never faded on you I’ve never faded on you I’ve never faded on you No I’ve never faded on youBirdtalker - Dogs & Rocks [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-02-22 | "Dogs & Rocks" is available for download and streaming now:
Woke up swallowing sunlight And the coffee’s cold I don’t talk to my neighbors But I like their roses I can see through their window Tv preacher is on But I don’t pick up that channel So I imagine the song
Oh Jesus talks to dogs and rocks That look like dogs And he teleports back and forth between his odd jobs You think I’m wasting time up in my mind, I call it rock and roll But when I look inside for neon lights I see a big black hole
I am toys in a bathtub And the plug’s been pulled Swirling down to the bottom Where’s the water go I ain’t talking to no one And no one’s talking to me I’m alone with no answers I throw my hands up and scream
Oh logs and bricks and rocks and sticks Can break my bones But it all depends how big your hands and how hard you throw You think I’m wasting time up in my mind, I call it rock and roll When I look inside for neon lights I see a big black hole
I don’t look in the mirror ‘cause I’m getting old Maybe If I don’t see it, then it isn’t there TV preacher is hawkin’ his holy water wares Using my my dirty bath water To wash his holy hair
Oh Jesus talks to dogs and rocks That look like dogs And he teleports back and forth between his odd jobs You think I’m wasting time up in my mind, I call it rock and roll But when I look inside for neon lights I see a big black hole Inside a big black hole Inside a big black holeBirdtalker - When You Arrive [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-01-21 | "When You Arrive" is available for download and streaming now:
Does Heaven feel like real life Is it a sight you can’t describe Is there a view that casts across an endless sky What do you see when you arrive
Yeah the wide world’s always waiting To throw another dark surprise The echo’s ringing from the sound you left behind What do you hear when you arrive
The days drift by and turn to night, And every wind carries your whisper If heaven is true how can we know while we’re alive Just let me know when you arrive When you arrive When you arriveBirdtalker - Favorite Place [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-01-21 | "Favorite Place" is available for download and streaming now:
You are the one who understands me You are the one who let me in Just like a sunset on the ocean I found a place to rest my head When I sink down you bring me back up The way that love is supposed to be Spent the sunshine thinking of you Come watch the day burn out with me
All my life I’ve been looking for a place to call home All my life I’ve been hopin’ for some pleasant company From the day I met you You’ve been mine Lovin’ you is my favorite place to be
You are the one who makes me light up You are the one who makes me sing Just like a flower opens to the sun I never have to hide myself from you You make my heart explode with laughter The way you speak it makes me dance My darling songbird with your honey eyes Come wrap me up in all your sweet romance
All my life I’ve been looking for a place to call home All my life I’ve been hoping for some pleasant company From the day I met you You’ve been mine Lovin’ you is my favorite place to be
When the sorrows roll, I’ll be there to whisper it is well For you and I were born for you and I as far as I can tell
All my life I’ve been looking for a place to call home All my life I’ve been hoping for some pleasant company From the day I met you You’ve been mine Lovin’ you is my favorite place to be Lovin’ you is my favorite place to beBirdtalker - Movin On [Official Audio]Birdtalker2024-01-21 | "Movin' On" is available for download and streaming now:
Sun came up just like it did the day before And my heart breaks just like the day before that But the sound it makes is sweeter than a harmony ‘Cause I know she’s only singing I’m alive
And I know it doesn’t last Hate how it’s
Movin’ fast though Where’s the time go Why’s it all so movin’ on Movin’ fast though I wanna go slow Why am I so movin’ on
Flew across the ocean just to sit with you And drink our coffee like we do at home Just lay back and enjoy the feeling of the orbit Before the flesh rots off our bones
And we know it doesn’t last Hate how it’s
Movin’ fast though Where’s the time go Why’s it all so movin’ on Movin’ fast though I wanna go slow Why am I so movin’ on
To love it is to lose it Though I know it, I still choose it Otherwise I’d just be living in a hole It could be worse, there could be nothing and no one
Hate how it’s
Movin’ fast though Where’s the time go Why’s it all so movin’ on Movin’ fast though I wanna go slow Why am I so movin’ on
Movin’ fast though Where’s the time go Why’s it all so movin’ on Movin’ fast though I wanna go slow Why am I so movin’ onBirdtalker - 2024 Tour AnnounceBirdtalker2023-12-05 | WE’RE GOING ON TOUR! The first leg of our 2024 tour kicks off in March! Pre-sale (including all-new VIP Upgrades!) begins tomorrow 12/6 and goes through Thursday this week. For first access to tickets, head over to our website below and sign up to receive the password before presale starts! Tickets are released to the public this Friday, 12/8. Dates and venues are listed below. We can’t wait to be with you! 💋
3|9 - Phoenix, AZ 3|11 - San Diego, CA 3|13 - Los Angeles, CA 3|14 - Pioneertown, CA 3|15 - San Luis Obispo, CA 3|16 - San Francisco, CA 3|20 - Eugene, OR 3|21 - Portland, OR 3|23 - Seattle, WA 3|26 - Boise, ID 3|27 - Salt Lake City, UT 3|29 - Boulder, CO 3|30 - Denver, CO 4|4 - Asheville, NC 4|5 - Knoxville, TN 4|6 - Louisville, KY 4|11 - Chicago, IL 4|12 - Columbus, OH 4|13 - Indianapolis, IN 4|19 - Birmingham, AL 4|20 - Atlanta, GA 4|25 - Nashville, TNBirdtalker - Holy Rollercoaster [Official Audio]Birdtalker2023-05-11 | "Holy Rollercoaster" is available for download and streaming now:
When you’re up all night and it ain’t your fire Let it out on me, let the flames lick higher Yeah, you’re speaking in tongues of an ancient body, let go I’m waking up to my heart, hey
Holy rollercoaster You’ve grown a little bit taller You are awake in your eyes Heal the hole in my heart There is no other way than through it Ha ha hey
Hey mama, are you feeling alright? I wanna be the onion in your egg foo young I’m coming over, yeah, to band your drum I want to know that we can dance through all the changes I wanna love you, hey, I want to find you
Holy rollercoaster You’ve grown a little bit taller You are awake in your eyes Heal the hole in my heart There is no other way than through it Ha ha hey
When you’re up all night and it ain’t your fire Let it out on me, let the flames lick higher Yeah, you’re speaking in tongues of an ancient body, let go I’m waking up to my heart, hey
Holy rollercoaster You’ve grown a little bit taller You are awake in your eyes Heal the hole in my heart There is no other way than through it Ha ha hey
Holy rollercoaster You’ve grown a little bit taller You are awake in your eyes Heal the hole in my heart There is no other way than through it Ha ha heyBirdtalker - Thunder [Official Audio]Birdtalker2023-03-02 | "Thunder" is available for download and streaming now:
Sun is setting while the oceans rise Distant thunder in an open sky Let the rain, let the wave wash you over Instead of running away
When everything is on a time track Heaven always feels like, it comes from outside And, oh, a racing mind will run you dry Blind to what you left behind
And I wonder what the feeling is that’s thundering That I can’t quite hear beneath the sound of my mind In my mind
Said you wanna feel feather light Have you tried letting the tether fly Send your light, won’t you send your light on it Instead of running away
When everything is just a time hack Heaven always feels like it’s something you lack And like there ain’t no time to fall inside The mystery in your eyes
I wonder what the feeling is that’s thundering That I can’t quite hear beneath the sound of my mind And I wonder what the feeling is that’s under it That I can’t quite hear beneath the sound of my mindBirdtalker & Joy Williams - Wake Up Child [Official Audio]Birdtalker2022-12-09 | "Wake Up Child" is available for download and streaming now:
Wake up child, the summer’s gone Gotta fall in line, gotta stand tall You’ve got to hide that glimmer you found As you danced in the rainfall
Don’t worry child, it was no dream This mortal mind is a guilty thing You’re free to laugh with the giddy bird’s call And with the mountain sing
I can’t remember what I’m raised to forget The child inside Truth, you know, never dies Open your eyes Open your eyes Open your eyes
Come on, bruised and buried soul You gotta hurry to this heavy yoke You’ve got to let this frost settle on you And forget the warmth of home
Awake, you endless fountain stream There’s so much more than what is seen Go on and fan those embers to flame Let it light the way you go
I can’t remember what I’m raised to forget The child inside Truth, you know, never dies Open your eyes Open your eyes Open your eyesBirdtalker & Joy Williams - Wake Up Child (Official Lyric Video)Birdtalker2022-12-08 | Official lyric video for "Wake Up Child" by Birdtalker & Joy Williams
"Wake Up Child" is available to download and stream now!
Sittin’ on the bed and you’re unpacking all your thoughts Like a chemical breakdown You’re feeling haunted by a secret life You say you’re looking for a different direction But don’t know the way Just keep your eye on what you hid inside
It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna go It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna go
What do you know, you’re free to go there’s no train and there ain’t any track Been givin'’ it up like a dog on a leash now I’m takin’ it back You say you’re looking for a different direction but don’t know the way Just keep your eye on what you hid inside
It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna go It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna go
Will it come back to haunt me? What might’ve been Will it come back to haunt me? Yeah
It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna go It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna go It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna go It’s alright not knowin’ where you gonna go, where you gonna goBirdtalker - Walking Song (Official Audio)Birdtalker2022-09-08 | Birdtalker's new single "Walking Song," the first single in a series of upcoming releases, is available for download and streaming now:
Sun's going down Faces that once were friends to me Are strangers now Even my own don't look much like me Nothing is right, but nothing's wrong, mmm So I pull on my boots and move along
Rain's coming down Washing the worn out promises Of this old town Why did I think this place could save me? Can't find nothing new if nothing's lost, mmm Can't feel the breeze without taking off
I got this feeling I'm gonna follow Take what I need and leave all the pieces behind I'm walkin' on, just me and the starlight I'm gonna see where my feet will lead me this time
It's quiet now Can't hear a thing but my heart beating And my feet on the ground Sun's gonna come up somewhere down this roadBirdtalker feat. Dani Green - Lizards in the Afterglow (Official Audio)Birdtalker2022-09-08 | Birdtalker's new single "Lizards in the Afterglow," the second single in a series of upcoming releases, is available for download and streaming now:
Oh I like it when it's early And the sky is milky grey I roll over and come closer No, we don't have to start the day
You can be happy if you want to You can be angry if you need to We can be together if we want to Yeah I want to, 'cause I like you Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holy Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holy
And I like it when it's raining It washes all the world away We can stay here over under Only our love to obey
You can be happy if you want to You can be angry if you need to We can be together if we want to Yeah I want to, 'cause I like you Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holy Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holy
Do you wanna go far? Do you wanna stay home? Do you wanna get high? Wanna sing a song? Do you wanna lay down? Wanna build a big house? Wanna kiss my mouth? Wanna scream so loud? Yeah we can do what we want to Whatever we want to Yeah we can do what we want to Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holy Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holy Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holy Holy shit Holy shit Holy shit, wow, holyJune 14, 2022Birdtalker2022-06-14 | ...Birdtalker - Old Sob Story (Official Music Video)Birdtalker2021-10-07 | Official Music Video for "Old Sob Story" by Birdtalker Our new album is available everywhere now - listen here! ffm.to/birdtalkeralbum.oyd
Verse 1 I was told that if I wanted life, to believe In the answers not the questions I could conceive But like a child falling back to no arms underneath I dropped into the unrelenting world of in-between Behind the questions there’s a murmur echoing A wordless sentence in between the lines
Chorus In my heart I know, I know
Verse 2 Everyone I know is in the fight of their life And though a smile’s on a face you can feel it in their eyes In every victory and defeat and in all smothered dreams In the baby bird that’s eaten by the snake in its sleep Is there a rhythm to the mystery deep? A melody that’s crying while she sings?
Chorus In my heart I know, I know In my heart I know, I know
Bridge In the quiet there’s a voice that beckons me To listen to what I already know
Chorus In my heart I know, I know In my heart I know, I know In my heart I know, I knowBirdtalker - I Know | Live in NashvilleBirdtalker2021-09-24 | Birdtalker performing "I Know" live in Nashville. The song is off their new self-titled album out now - listen here! ffm.to/birdtalkeralbum.oyd
"I Know" is available to stream and download now! Choose your favorite music service: ffm.to/i_know_.oyd
Filmed by Craig Hill, Tom Beal, and Trevor Ball at The Backlot in Nashville.
Verse 1 Love was another way to say that I’ll carry you Whatever you wanna do, turn me left or turn me right Only daring to speak up in order to safely regurgitate opinions I heard Mentality turned on me now I can barely remember my name
Chorus I hope you don’t mind I’m taking it another direction, yeah Another direction, yeah I’ve been taking my time Now I’m taking control Can I be me again?
Verse 2 I’ve been the poster child, yeah, for waiting on a change Yeah I paid more attention to what was mentioned about me Than what I said up in my head Time to be on my own side even if you Think I am going insane
Chorus I hope you don’t mind I’m taking control of the skin I’m swimming in I’ve been taking my time Now I’m taking control Can I be me again?
I hope you don’t mind I’m taking control of the skin I’m swimming in I hope you don’t mind I’m taking it another direction, yeah Another direction, yeah I’ve been taking my time Now I’m taking control Can I be me again?Birdtalker - Tides [Official Audio]Birdtalker2021-08-30 | "Tides" is off the new self-titled album out now - listen here! ffm.to/birdtalkeralbum.oyd
"Tides" is available to stream and download now! Choose your favorite music service: ffm.to/_tides.oyd
Verse 1 (Zack) You can be heady and ready to fight, I can be head in the clouds You can go winding your way through the night, just sit here with me once in a while If all there is is in between, then I don’t mind Dancing like the water and the moon (Dani) You can be steady and mild, and I’ll keep playing with fire You are the cool when the flames get high, but baby don’t I glow in the light? If all there is is in between, then I don’t mind Dancing like the water and the moon
Chorus Oh we are on the right track Chasing love to higher ground Oh we are on the right track Dancing like the water and the moon
Verse 2 (Zack) You can be heady and ready to fight I can be head in the clouds You can stay in the glowing light I can be steady and mild (Dani) I can be heady and ready to fight You can be head in the clouds I can stay in the glowing light You can be steady and mild
Chorus We are on the right track Chasing love to higher ground Oh we are on the right track Chasing love to higher ground Oh we are on the right track Dancing like the water and the moonBirdtalker - Tides | Live in NashvilleBirdtalker2021-08-28 | Birdtalker performing "Tides" live in Nashville. "Tides" is off the new self-titled album out now - listen here! ffm.to/birdtalkeralbum.oyd
Filmed by Craig Hill, Tom Beal, and Trevor Ball at The Backlot in Nashville.
Recorded & Mixed by JD Tiner
Edited by Zack Green
"Tides" is available to stream and download now! Choose your favorite music service: ffm.to/_tides.oyd
For tickets to their 2021 Tides Tour, and to order the new record on Vinyl & CD, and new merch, click the link below:
https://linktr.ee/BirdtalkerBirdtalker - Old Sob Story [Official Audio]Birdtalker2021-08-06 | Old Sob Story is off the new self-titled album out now - listen here! ffm.to/birdtalkeralbum.oyd
Lyrics:
Verse 1 Everyday my life plays on I try my best to sing along But my mind’s like a feather in the wind Feeling good, then feeling bad I can’t get off my fucking back Reminding myself all I’ve gotten wrong
Chorus Oh no, high time now Gotta move my body to the earth’s sweet sound Gonna plant my feet Gonna loosen my hold On my old sob story and let it die
Verse 2 Everyday I’m looking out Of the window wrapped around My eyes I’m peering through a tinted glass I want to see clear, I want to be free From all the ways I get lost in defense and critique My kaleidoscope head
Chorus Oh no, high time now Gotta move my body to the earth’s sweet sound Gonna plant my feet Gonna loosen my hold On my old sob story and let it die
Oh no, high time now Gotta move my body to the earth’s sweet sound Gonna plant my feet Gonna loosen my hold On my old sob story and let it die
Oh no, high time now Gotta move my body to the earth’s sweet sound Gonna plant my feet Gonna loosen my hold On my old sob story and let it dieBirdtalker - Old Sob Story | Live in NashvilleBirdtalker2021-08-06 | Birdtalker performing "Old Sob Story" live in Nashville. "Old Sob Story" is off the new self-titled album, out now - listen here! ffm.to/birdtalkeralbum.oyd
Filmed by Craig Hill, Tom Beal, and Trevor Ball at The Backlot in Nashville.
Recorded & Mixed by JD Tiner
Edited by Zack Green
"Old Sob Story" is available to stream and download now! Choose your favorite music service here: ffm.to/oldsobstory
Verse 1 We’re waking up to find what’s broken down Is there truth among the wreckage that I forgot along the way? I know that I can’t stay, but is there a part that I can hold to If I get lost along the way?
Chorus I believe in better days I believe in better days
Verse 2 We lit up like a wildfire, you and I We sent the sparrow searching in to the night By the light of the flames wasting the place we knew We’ll find our way
Chorus I believe in better days I believe in better days
Bridge From the places we’re broken open, we’ll know what to do From the places we’re broken open, we’ll know what to do From the places we’re broken open, we’ll find something new
Chorus I believe in better days I believe in better days I believe in better days I believe in better daysBirdtalker - Better Days | Live in NashvilleBirdtalker2021-07-16 | Birdtalker performing "Better Days" live in Nashville. "Better Days" is the first single off the new self-titled album! Listen now: ffm.to/birdtalkeralbum.oyd
Filmed by Craig Hill, Tom Beal, and Trevor Ball at The Backlot in Nashville.
Recorded & Mixed by JD Tiner
Edited by Zack Green
"Better Days" is available to stream and download now! Choose your favorite music service here: ffm.to/-betterdays
Birdtalker's next project, Clear Water, will be released in 2020.
A Message from Zack about the song:
"Since I can remember, the critic has been the loudest voice in my head. I have subjected myself to consistent emotional violence, which created an anxious, co-dependent man who was eager to please at the expense of his own well-being. A man who was incapable of true connection—a man who longed to be seen and known but was not willing to see and know himself because of his own shameful self-image. He needed other people to validate and accept him because he hadn’t done that for himself. He didn’t want to look.
With the loving support of Dani, my therapist, and dear friends, it is only recently that I have found the courage to begin compassionately meeting the different children, all of them me, still living inside, yearning to be seen, validated, and included as part of me. It is deeply sad that for cultural, social, and religious reasons, many of us learn that our ‘weaknesses’ should hidden from sight—even our own. What I’ve realized through this work is that I am responsible for re-parenting and re-loving the parts of myself I at one point found weak or embarrassing. I am the script writer of my internal dialogue, not the victim.
I wrote these words in a journal to process some patterns I have. But one morning weeks later, when I found myself humming a melody that lined up perfectly with the words I had written, I knew I had to make the song. Better in the Morning is a love song to myself, but more broadly, to men. It is not weak to heal trauma and hurt. It is not weak to be gentle with yourself, to speak lovingly to yourself, and to accept yourself—it is beautiful. As contrary as it is to the bravado-software I may have learned is necessary to survive as a male in this world, this is a way into true peace and compassion for myself and for others.
As author and mystic Richard Rohr has said, “if you do not transform your pain, you will transmit it.” I’m not sure there is more important language to describe how to heal. Let’s create a more empathetic and symbiotic flow in this world. It starts with me, and it starts with you. Let’s keep learning to love ourselves well and watch everything saturate with color. I love you all."
Birdtalker's next project, Clear Water, will be released in 2020.
A note from Dani about the song -
My 20’s, while full of many beautiful experiences, brought me face to face with many of my negative and self-limiting thought patterns that, when unchecked, would spiral into a cycle of anxiety and depression. For a while, what kept me stuck in this pattern was shame; judging myself for struggling with this, feeling weak, and basically rejecting these hurting parts of myself. It was mostly through hearing the compassionate voices of my counselor and my husband as I went through this that I learned to start giving that compassion to myself. This is what finally broke the tension for me: being able to meet my pain and smallness with full acceptance and loads of compassion. Over and over again. This is still something that I have to practice EVERY DAY, and still fail at many days. But I no longer beat myself up for being human, for experiencing sadness, for hurting, for needing rest and care and softness. And meeting myself with compassion has allowed tiny yet hopeful sprouts of joy to start taking root in me.
Towards the Sun is about this turning point. I had been doing the work of looking at my patterns, finding support through counseling, being honest with myself even if it hurt. But the mindset of “fixing yourself” can turn into violence to yourself if it goes on too long and if it lacks compassion. I decided I needed to start practicing joy. I needed to practice laughing more, telling people I loved them, letting people love me, doing things for no other reason than that they made me happy.
So, if this resonates with anyone reading, I have these things to share from my own experience: healing will not be linear. It will not be quick or easy or pretty. But you deserve to heal, you deserve compassion, you deserve joy. It can feel overwhelming, but take any small step that offers relief. Take a few deep breaths, take a nap, take a walk outside, lay down in the grass, look at a bug. Read a book about healing, be vulnerable with a friend you trust, find a therapist or counselor you love. Take medication if you need it. Journal and let yourself write whatever the fuck you feel. Scream in your car, cry as much as you need to. Be sad, be sad, be sad, but when you are ready, try laughing. Watch your favorite comedy. Dance really hard. Plant some flowers. Go to an art museum. Take yourself to do your favorite things. Adopt a dog (hi Beans) and let your heart explode every time you look at them. Hug people. Sing songs. Joy is a practice, and this song is about taking the first step.
Sending you all love. May we all be happy and free.
"Since I can remember, the critic has been the loudest voice in my head. I have subjected myself to consistent emotional violence, which created an anxious, co-dependent man who was eager to please at the expense of his own well-being. A man who was incapable of true connection—a man who longed to be seen and known but was not willing to see and know himself because of his own shameful self-image. He needed other people to validate and accept him because he hadn’t done that for himself. He didn’t want to look.
With the loving support of Dani, my therapist, and dear friends, it is only recently that I have found the courage to begin compassionately meeting the different children, all of them me, still living inside, yearning to be seen, validated, and included as part of me. It is deeply sad that for cultural, social, and religious reasons, many of us learn that our ‘weaknesses’ should hidden from sight—even our own. What I’ve realized through this work is that I am responsible for re-parenting and re-loving the parts of myself I at one point found weak or embarrassing. I am the script writer of my internal dialogue, not the victim.
I wrote these words in a journal to process some patterns I have. But one morning weeks later, when I found myself humming a melody that lined up perfectly with the words I had written, I knew I had to make the song. Better in the Morning is a love song to myself, but more broadly, to men. It is not weak to heal trauma and hurt. It is not weak to be gentle with yourself, to speak lovingly to yourself, and to accept yourself—it is beautiful. As contrary as it is to the bravado-software I may have learned is necessary to survive as a male in this world, this is a way into true peace and compassion for myself and for others.
As author and mystic Richard Rohr has said, “if you do not transform your pain, you will transmit it.” I’m not sure there is more important language to describe how to heal. Let’s create a more empathetic and symbiotic flow in this world. It starts with me, and it starts with you. Let’s keep learning to love ourselves well and watch everything saturate with color. I love you all."
Filmed by Gavin Nutt - gavinnuttphotography.comBirdtalker - Outside The Lines (Live)Birdtalker2018-06-12 | "Outside The Lines" is available to download and stream now!