Birds of a Feather
An ongoing three inch CD series.
The Black Kite - Darren McClure
The Blue Heron - The Green Kingdom
''The swans are always in my thoughts and give splendor to (my) life. (It’s) strange to learn that nothing in the whole world affect me - nothing in art, literature, or music - in the same ways as do these swans and cranes and wild geese. Their voices and being.” Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
The role of birds as muse, as musical guide and inspiration has been well documented in classical music, from Mozart’s pet starling to Beethoven’s birdsong filled Pastoral Symphony and Sibelius’s swan hymn to Messaien’s birdsong compositions.
Birds of a Feather celebrates the role of birds in ambient music, and the beautiful fragility of birds more generally.
This is the second set of two EPs in the series; The Blue Heron by The Green Kingdom and The Black Kite by Darren McClure.
Birds of a Feather will be a series of 12 three inch cds released as pairs in runs of 100 over the next year. Each cd comes in a handmade sleeve and contains a statement from the artist.
Excerpts from The Blue Heron and The Black Kite can be heard here
Tracks by The Green Kingdom and Darren McClure.
Mastered by 12k.
Birds of a Feather is dedicated to Jean Sibelius and my grandfather Ron Gray, a great lover of magpies, who passed away at the age of 99 on the day this series was was launched Sept 11. RIP.
Each EP costs A$7 or you can buy both for $12. Postage is $3.
One dollar from each purchase will be donated to Birds in Backyards, an education and conservation group focused on urban and suburban birds in Australia..
For more on Birds in Backyards click here
Reviews:
'' The incorporation of field recordings throughout the piece makes this one of the most evocative of the Birds of a Feather series to date,'' A Closer Listen on the Black Kite by Darren McClure.
''Listeners familiar with The Green Kingdom's output already know there's probably no more perfect candidate for the series than Michael Cottone, given his sensitivity to sound design and nature.'' -- Textura
'' The project sounds a lot like birdwatching: patient, restrained, respectful. It doesn’t exactly suggest a great blue heron – gawp! croak! waak! - but it does bring to mind a quiet wonder.'' -- A Closer Listen on the Great Blue Heron by The Green Kingdom.
'' Overall, Flaming Pines curates an enchanting journey into the world of birds, making us appreciate their existence, the role they play on our human life, and indeed inspiration. Another beautiful touch to this collection is the gorgeous artwork by Kate Carr depicting the birds in each installment. Add to that the incredible mastering by Taylor Deupree of 12k , and you’ve got a little treasure that you’ll keep for the years to come. I recommend you grab this limited run series if you can!'' -- Headphone Commute on the first four EPs in the Birds of a Feather series.
To buy one of the EPs click below, please specify which one you want either in the notes to seller section.