MorningBird is a fantastic new band from the Iron Range. They have a debut album coming out May 10 with a show in the Cities (Bryant Lake Bowl Theater) on May 16. It is a travel-inspired album that feels like the best parts of a road trip!
Please tell us about MorningBird and how you all got together.
MorningBird is a Northern MN based acoustic trio featuring 3 singer songwriters/multi instrumentalists- myself, Jill Burkes (violin, guitar), Rob Wheeler (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, stomp box), and Josh Palmi (upright bass, guitar). We met playing music in various projects on the Iron Range. Josh played electric bass in one of the bands we were in, but also fronted his own original band as well. Rob and I had been playing quite a bit of shows and it made sense to add Josh in on the double bass- he joined the group and we’ve been a trio since November 2023. We love having three writers in the group and the versatility it brings- each of us with different backgrounds and inspirations. I started playing violin at the age of 9 with a classical music background, Rob grew up learning country licks on guitar from his dad, and Josh brings the blues inspiration.
Sounds like the album was born on a 3-week road trip. How intention was that? Was the impetus the travel or the quantity/quality time together?
Yes, the album was completely inspired by our trip last fall. During that run, we had a couple nights off and decided to boondock and settle into our surroundings. We were off grid and unplugged. The scenery was beautiful, the fall colors vivid. When the sun hit the trees, the leaves were literally glowing. We wrote most of the lyrics for Thunder together in that spot. It was fun to have that kind of down time together in nature and away from the hustle of society life. We really found our sound and groove during that trip. On off days when we are on the road, we love to explore whatever the local adventure spots are near us- hiking, swimming, disc golfing… We love a good record store and thrifting too. We began recording Echoes in the Meadow last November, shortly after our return from the road.
The slow sultry mood and sound of Reefer makes it feel like a summer day. It seems like there might be a story behind that song.
Reefer is a tune written by Josh – inspired by some friends of his in the past and the connection between reefer and paranoia. As the story goes, one of the guys let paranoia get the best of him and ended up throwing the stash in a river.
One of the things I really like about the album is the shifting of moods from song to song like Reefer to Birds and Bees. What is the inspiration for Birds and Bees? I love the storytelling element.
We definitely take advantage of having 3 songwriters in MorningBird, each one of us bringing different ideas to the group. Birds and Bees is a song that I wrote last summer inspired after a request from my mom to “write a toe tapper.” I remember writing the song- It was a hot summer night- the sticky humid kind, and the moon was full. I was exhausted after a long week and my body wanted to sleep but my brain would not stop thinking. I liked the idea of playing with the phrase- Birds and Bees, and what images come to mind with that phrase. But really- the theme is more about living life carefree and being in the present moment. To live like the birds and the bees is to live freely. I can’t imagine birds having trouble shutting off their brains at night…worrying about things like insurance coverage, monthly bills, or self image. Out on the road, writing and singing our songs, enjoying nature- that feels free. That’s when I resonate best with living like the birds and the bees.
Please tell us about the album release show.
MORNINGBIRD ALBUM RELEASE SHOW WITH SPECIAL GUEST DREW PETERSON
THURSDAY MAY 16 – BRYANT LAKE BOWL THEATER – 810 W LAKE ST MINNEAPOLIS, MN.
DOORS 6PM. DREW PETERSON 7PM. MORNINGBIRD 8PM.
TICKETS – $10 ADVANCE. $15 DOOR.
This is going to be a great evening of music at the one and only Bryant Lake Bowl Theater in Minneapolis. Americana singer-songwriter Drew Peterson will be starting off the night– Coming from a long ling of musically inept Norwegian Farmers and born without natural talent, Drew Peterson tackled his musical endeavors the way he had been taught while growing u[ on a farm in rural MN – hard work and a lot of practice. With over 20 years under his belt, Peterson incorporates clever, dry humor and thought-provoking lyrics into heartfelt and unforgettable performances. MorningBird will finish the evening performing their new album, Echoes in the Meadow (available online 5/10/24.)
Mostly Minnesota 