The music of Philadelphia’s Emily 'Birdie' Busch is natural. There is no pretense, nothing forced or processed - just delicate, beautiful melodies and deceptively simple lyrics that resonate deeply upon further discovery. Inspired by writers like Paul Simon, Gillian Welch and Neil Young, there is a distinct jubilance to her writing that is informed with a sweet sorrow, creating a musical balance that is at once comfortable, familiar and still unique.
That unique sound has elicited raves fr...
The music of Philadelphia’s Emily 'Birdie' Busch is natural. There is no pretense, nothing forced or processed - just delicate, beautiful melodies and deceptively simple lyrics that resonate deeply upon further discovery. Inspired by writers like Paul Simon, Gillian Welch and Neil Young, there is a distinct jubilance to her writing that is informed with a sweet sorrow, creating a musical balance that is at once comfortable, familiar and still unique.
That unique sound has elicited raves from the press and created genuine anticipation for her new album, and Penny Arcade builds on the promise of that first album. Birdie has put together a sweet line-up of Philly musicians to be the band for her second record. Again working with producer and musician Devin Greenwood (Norah Jones, Amos Lee) the two recorded the bulk of the record in South Philly in a room in Devin’s house dubbed “The Honey Jar” and then moved to Scullville Studios, NJ, once again creating another home spun sonic statement. Restored inspiration for the home locale came about on a spring trip to the Stax Museum in Memphis TN, where the importance of the close knit community was stressed, resulting in the collaboration that can conjure up real magic.
“I loved witnessing the quality of music that comes about when people are thrown together because they are neighbors and friends, believers and musicians, all able to have this dialogue that somehow seems more intimate because of that. There’s a certain feeling that is transmitted in making use of all that. I’m conscious of wanting to make meaningful work with the people I’ve come to know meaningfully. Here in Philly you come to realize that you have an incredible amount of resources and inspiration.”
With great radio support from WXPN in Philadelphia, and AAA stations across the US, and critical praise from all corners including the Village Voice who wrote “The Ways We Try is one of the slyest neo-folky records in recent memory, its blues loopy and eccentric, and its simple melodies often as inspired as say, Syd Barrett’s”, Birdie has been able to perform with everyone from the Wood Brothers to Regina Spektor in venues like World Café Live, the Bowery Ballroom, Passim and the Iron Horse.
If the first album was like peaking into a quieter world of journal meanderings and short vignettes, consider Penny Arcade a musical manifesto, with declarations covering forgiveness, mercy, mysticism, and beyond. Expect some pop culture references in songs like “Go Go Gadget Heart” and her interpretation of the Steve Miller Band gem, “Wild Mountain Honey”. One of the standout songs is “The Huff Singers (North Philly)”, about a gospel singing group Birdie met while waitressing at a gospel brunch.
What we have on Penny Arcade are shiftier tempos, evolving sounds, a verve for songwriting and a voice that perfectly characterizes the songs. Melodies infuse and refuse to leave the brain, and words seem to resonate even more in songs like ‘Clemency’, which really captures the essence of her writing style and general outlook on life.
Birdie Busch weaves wonderfully upbeat arrangements with a whimsy and looseness only found in much more experienced writers. Penny Arcade delivers on the promises identified in her first recordings, and will once again find an audience of fans who appreciate her fascinating style, resolute honesty and refreshing sense of melody and lyric.
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