Difference between revisions of "Birds of passage"

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'''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 shoegaze label [http://www.myspace.com/futurerecordingslabel futurerecordings] that same year.  The highly anticipated birds of passage debut album [[without the world]] is to be released in May 2010.  '''Alicia''' performed, recorded and produced the album in her home studio.
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:birds of passage}}[[image:withouttheworld.jpg|right|thumb|''without the world'' cover art]]
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''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 label 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 '''a garden of secrets''' written by Alicia Merz will be published by futurerecordings and released in May 2010.  
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A second album, [[Highwaymen in Midnight Masks]], was released in December 2011, with further albums released in 2012 and 2014. In 2016 she teamed up with [[Gareth Schott]] ([[sink \ sink]]) for live performances, including the Hamilton Fringe Festival, and the ''Further Future'' event in Nevada.
  
 
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].
 
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].
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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.
  
 
== Inspiration and Style ==
 
== Inspiration and Style ==
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[[image:midnightmasks.jpg|right|thumb|''Highwaymen in Midnight Masks'' cover art]]
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The birds of passage 'sound' has influences from a diverse range of genres; from classical and minimalist to folk and pop.
  
The birds of passage 'sound' is decidedly unique and has influences from genres ranging from classical and minimalist to folk and pop.
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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 Merz 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.
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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].
 
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When asked "what inspires you?", Alicia Merz is likely to reply; climbing trees, smelling flowers, smoking cigarettes and walking in the rain.  She 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].
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== Personal Life ==
 
== Personal Life ==
 
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Alicia studied political science and philosophy at [[the University of Waikato]] before focusing her attention on music and poetry in 2007.
Alicia Merz studied political science and philosophy at [[the University of Waikato]] before focusing her attention on music and poetry in 2007.  She is married to the independent filmmaker, Christian Parahi.  They have one son together.
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== Albums ==
 
== Albums ==
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*[[without the world]] - 2011
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*[[Dear and Unfamiliar]] - 2011
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*[[Winter Lady]] - 2012
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*[[This Kindly Slumber]] - 2014
  
[[without the world]] Available May 2010
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== EPs ==
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*[[I Was All You Are]] - 2011
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*[[Highwaymen in Midnight Masks]] - 2012
  
 
== Other Releases ==
 
== Other Releases ==
 
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*[[a garden of secrets]] :A book of poetry.   
'''a garden of secrets'''  A book of poetry. Available May 2010  
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== Collaborations and Side Projects ==
 
== Collaborations and Side Projects ==
  
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"] birds of passage 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].
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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 an ecclectic range of artists compose new arrangements of Arvo Pärt works to create a new soundtrack to the film Eraserhead.  
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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.  
  
birds of passage 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.
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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.
  
birds of passage has also collaborated with the American experimental bass player [http://www.myspace.com/cjboyd CJ BOYD]
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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].
 
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A collaboration is in the works for a free to download EP with the Portuguese poet and lead singer of experimental IDM collective [http://www.myspace.com/sbtrmnl Subterminal].
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Alicia Merz is also currently working on a side project with her brother; Leeds based singer/songwriter [http://www.myspace.com/brunomerz Bruno Merz].
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== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==
 
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*[https://birdsofpassage.bandcamp.com/ ''birds of passage'' on bandcamp]
[http://www.myspave.com/birdsofpassagemusic ''birds of passage'' official myspace]
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*[http://www.myspace.com/birdsofpassagemusic ''birds of passage'' official myspace]
 
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*[http://www.facebook.com/pages/birds-of-passage/141197156090?v=wall ''birds of passage'' on facebook]
[http://www.facebook.com/pages/birds-of-passage/141197156090?v=wall ''birds of passage'' on facebook]
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*[http://twitter.com/aliciamerz ''birds of passage'' on twitter]
 
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*[http://www.myspace.com/partlynchproject the Pärt Lynch project]
[http://twitter.com/aliciamerz ''birds of passage'' on twitter]
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*[http://www.myspace.com/futurerecordingslabel futurerecordings label webpage]
 
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*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoegazing Shoegaze Wikipedia page]
[http://www.myspace.com/partlynchproject the Pärt Lynch project]
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[[Category:Bands]]
 
[[Category:Bands]]

Latest revision as of 00:37, 7 May 2016

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 label 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.

A second album, Highwaymen in Midnight Masks, was released in December 2011, with further albums released in 2012 and 2014. In 2016 she teamed up with Gareth Schott (sink \ sink) for live performances, including the Hamilton Fringe Festival, and the Further Future event in Nevada.

The name birds of passage is a reference to a collection of poems of the same name by Longfellow.

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.

Inspiration and Style[edit]

Highwaymen in Midnight Masks cover art

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 Nick Drake, Nina Simone, Sigur Rós, Satie and Robert Frost.

Personal Life[edit]

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

Albums[edit]

EPs[edit]

Other Releases[edit]

Collaborations and Side Projects[edit]

Using a new arrangement of Arvo Pärt's work for piano "Für Alina" Alicia composed a version of the song "In Heaven" from the film Eraserhead by cult director David Lynch.

The song is part of a collaborative project "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 "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 CJ BOYD, and she is currently working on a side project, 'Boy and the Brook', with her brother; Leeds based singer/songwriter Bruno Merz.

External Links[edit]