Editing Birds of passage

[[image:withouttheworld.jpg|right|thumb|''without the world'' cover art]]
''birds of passage'' is the brainchild of poet, singer, songwriter [[Alicia Merz]].  Established in 2009, birds of passage was signed to the San Diego based [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazing shoegaze] label [http://www.myspace.com/futurerecordingslabel futurerecordings] that same year.  The debut birds of passage album [[without the world]] was released in May 2010.  Alicia performed, recorded and produced the album in her home studio.

In addition to the debut album a book of poetry written by Alicia, "a garden of secrets", was published by futurerecordings and released in May 2010. 

The name ''birds of passage'' is a reference to a collection of poems of the same name by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Wadsworth_Longfellow Longfellow].

== Inspiration and Style ==

The birds of passage 'sound' has influences from a diverse range of genres; from classical and minimalist to folk and pop.

Alicia incorporates electric keys, cello, harmonica, and electric guitar with aleatory elements and a minimalist approach to create atmospheric and emotional (sometimes ethereal but mostly dark) soundscapes.

Alicia is also said to be inspired by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Drake Nick Drake], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Simone Nina Simone], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigur_R%C3%B3s Sigur Rós], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Satie Satie] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost Robert Frost].

== Personal Life ==

Alicia studied political science and philosophy at [[the University of Waikato]] before focusing her attention on music and poetry in 2007.

== Albums ==

[[without the world]]

== Other Releases ==

[[a garden of secrets]]  A book of poetry.  

== Collaborations and Side Projects ==

Alicia is currently working on a concept album inspired by the film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casablanca_%28film%29 Casablanca] with Portuguese poet [http://www.myspace.com/sbtrmnl Leonardo Rosado].  The album is to be released by late 2010.

Using a new arrangement of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvo_P%C3%A4rt Arvo Pärt's] work for piano [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%BCr_Alina "Für Alina"] Alicia composed a version of the song "In Heaven" from the film [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eraserhead Eraserhead] by cult director [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lynch David Lynch].

The song is part of a collaborative project [http://www.myspace.com/partlynchproject "Pärt Lynch"], in which a diverse range of artists compose new arrangements of Arvo Pärt works to create a new soundtrack to the film Eraserhead. 

Alicia collaborated with the Spanish experimental IDM producer [http://www.myspace.com/erissoma "erissoma"] on the tracks "find my etchings" and "her".  They plan to release an EP of their collaborations.

Alicia has also collaborated with the American experimental bass player [http://www.myspace.com/cjboyd CJ BOYD], and she is currently working on a side project, 'Boy and the Brook', with her brother; Leeds based singer/songwriter [http://www.myspace.com/brunomerz Bruno Merz].

== External Links ==

*[http://www.myspace.com/birdsofpassagemusic ''birds of passage'' official myspace]
*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/birds-of-passage/141197156090?v=wall ''birds of passage'' on facebook]
*[http://twitter.com/aliciamerz ''birds of passage'' on twitter]
*[http://www.myspace.com/partlynchproject the Pärt Lynch project]

[[Category:Bands]]