Them Bird Things

‘Them Bird Things’ are a Finish band who perform Americana songs sung in English. The band formed in 2007. Will Shade is the producer of the band. Salla, who is now married to Will, is the lead singer. They both live in Finland. The Members of the band are: Salla Day, Arttu Tolonen, Affe Forsman & Tapani Varis. Kusti Haapa-aho was a member of the band until April of 2012 where lung disease had taken his life. He had drawn the artwork for the previous 3 CDs which became iconic.

In 2009, the band came out with their first CD called ‘Fly, Them Bird Things, Fly!’. When listening to that album you think of early 1960's rock, Tom Rush, psychedelic and rockabilly surf. Salla's soft croon and mood reminds me of Marianne Faithfull, a sultry doll. She leads the parade in a time when a lot of vocalists sound pasted on top of their band's music. Here is just the opposite. She puts her own twist of little tricks and personalities that she performs within the melodic landscape. The band brings you visions in sound.

Them Bird Things did this on their debut, but here is the sublime unreleased demo by Mike Brassard from 1967 in all its mono tone glory alongside Them Bird Thing's version. 'Tomorrow'.

In 2010 it was ‘Wildlike Wonder’. One of the song and music writers came out with a CD called Mike & The Ravens ‘From Pillar to Post’ featuring Salla on backup vocals. The two best songs from that CD are” ‘Pretty Polly’ and ‘What I Want to Tell You’. The band’s style is folk/indie with blues, country and rock and roll.

'Marionette' is from their second CD called "Wildlike Wonder". It was written by Jake Holmes and was given to 'Them Bird Things'.

Their third CD, ‘PACHYDERM NIGTMARES’ which came out in 2013, was their breakthrough record. This is where Salla was given the chance to sing more soulful songs that brought out the quality of her voice. The tunes had slowed down and became more haunting. This seemed to fit her tone making it sound richer.

Their fourth CD called ‘THE BRIDE WHO CAME TO YELLOW SKY’ became available in February 2015. This compilation of music takes a different turn from their third CD. Salla has since had a child and so child-like themes pop up now and then.

‘Pretty Fly’ – The music creeps eerily, lap steel and bass, with soft words filling in like a child telling a story from its point of view. When the light hits the fly, the iridescence looks pretty but it’s dark and in the darkness, it flies away.

The music from ‘Pretty Fly’ blends into the song called ‘City on the Hill’ - There is more coherence to the music. An electric guitar winds its way and a drum is added. The song is about escaping reality and not really caring that you do. One thing is kept in mind. Salla’s voice echoes this intent in a slower flowing motion.

‘The Tinker’s Tale’ - is more upbeat. How many roles can you play and how many disasters can you go through before you find out what is real and what is good? An organ, an electric guitar, drum and congas spell out the rhythm of the guests that you seem to be.

‘Why the Sea is Salt’ - is full of questions a child may ask an adult. Curious minds… and can you think of the answers? Guitars and a violin help in stating the child’s pleas. Salla’s voice echoes in unheard replies.

‘Goodnight Berlin’ - has a never may care attitude. Lap steel, banjo, harmonian and the crashing of cymbals and drums.

‘Brer Rabbit & the Tar Baby’ - tap dances its way into another child’s tale but the plot has evil twists. Which animal can out do the other and who wins in the end? Guitar, castanets, slide whistles and bells.

‘Child of Sabbath’ – Traditional verses of days on which you are born and what those days mean. Salla adds extra verses. In between each refrain, a vielle plays, a guitar strums and a drum keeps the beat in a Celtic feel.

‘I Dreamt I Saw Lucy Bogan Last Night’ – Drums echo the dream in the beginning and then ghostly instrumental sounds make the dream seem stranger. All is not what it seems nor does the dreamer care.

‘Decoration Day’ – Mandolin and drum. Then the guitar takes over switching back and forth. A war battle, bloody, that has been won. Is this what is inherited? A celebration parade where the town is decorated for its valor? Had what had happened only been a dream?

‘Hurry Down Sunshine’ – A dobro lazily plays as words about the brightness are flitted here and there. It looks like rain; a saddened heart from seeing one off and them flying away. Come back sunshine.

‘Early in the Morning AGAIN – Traditional with extra lyrics. A guitar trickles the tune with the bass, giving extra emphasis, waiting for the arrival of one who is expected to come home. Beautifully sung full of expectant reverbs echo. A clarinet fills the waiting time.

‘HomeTown Radio – The same song is listened to each time an old-time event happens. A Judge comes by and a couple is married while the radio plays the same song they’ve heard many times before. The music has that old fashioned progressive flair and the blues guitar sound dresses it up. The cymbal accents the beats. Slow drums. It turns into rag time before it goes back to its original theme.

‘The Bride Who Came to Yellow Sky’ – begins so down trodden with a sad bosa nova feel then it goes into a sidetracked flow as the song tries to guide you along. A flood comes to the delta. Many died. The bride came to Yellow Sky but no one remembered her name.

‘Hornswoggled’ – The song starts faded and then comes in full with slaps of drum and an Indian sitar sounding as if setting a meditative mood, a drone. Salla sings a tale. Near the end, her voice gurgles as if filled with water and the song fades out.

The CD sounds as if it were meant for a child to listen to but most themes are only meant for adult ears. It takes on a different breath than ‘Pachyderm Nightmares’ but Salla’s singing still stays on haunting themes. This is what keeps her songs alive. It brings out the best of what she can and does offer.

To find out more about this band go to:

https://thembirdthings.bandcamp.com/

Denise L. @DL7855