To coincide with their Summer 2022 shows, Sunbirds have just released their 2nd single ‘GENE KELLY’. The song paints a picture of a rainy, wintery night in a working class town, but our hero doesn’t care, he’s just positively enjoying the scene.
The man who once told us he loved us from the bottom of his pencil case, founder Beautiful South member Dave Hemingway returns with his new band SUNBIRDS playing Doncaster – Leopard on Friday 17th June, Hull – New Adelphi Club on Saturday 18th June and York – Crescent on Friday 24th June 2022.
Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave has been keeping busy together with erstwhile South colleague, guitarist/songwriter Phil Barton, new discovery singer/violinist Laura Wilcockson and drummer Marc Parnell.
‘Cool To Be Kind’ was released in November 2020, on the independent label Nectar Records signalling the arrival of Sunbirds with new songs and a new sound.
Although born and bred in England, the band’s sound predominantly features the instrumentation of traditional American roots music combined with the occasional outburst of guitar heavy melody more associated with Seattle in the late 80’s/early 90’s.
However, you can only sing about what you know.
“Although a lot of the songs have an Americana feel” says Dave “they’re still about life in England. You’re going to feel a bit daft singing about pick-up trucks and low down honky-tonks when you live in Yorkshire.”
Their debut album produced by cult producer Teo Miller, captures truthful, open-hearted, funny and sometimes painfully honest songs, turning the page to a new chapter for Dave Hemingway and The Beautiful South story.
‘Cool To Be Kind’ is the result of a few transitional years in Dave and Phil’s individual personal worlds. It tells tales that cover contemporary themes as well as age-old matters of the heart and soul – all viewed through the bottom of a recently drained pint glass.
“Now we’re Sunbirds we’re free to dig a little deeper into ourselves”, says Phil “having said that, there’s no exact science here, we’re just enjoying ourselves and expressing whatever we want whether it’s about love, longing, depression or Gary Lineker’s crisp adverts”.
“Cool To Be Kind is a must-have album which helps us forget the pandemic and lust after the days where this amazing new band can deliver their songs live” – UK Music Reviews
“A highpoint of it’s rootier ilk” – We Are Cult
“Appealingly understated song writing” – Classic Pop Magazine
“An album with warmth to spare” – MOJO Magazine
Sunbirds ‘Cool To Be Kind’ debut album is out now available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon UK & Music, all HMV stores and via the website – www.sunbirds.co.uk
Sunbirds are:
Dave Hemingway – Vocals
Phil Barton – Guitar
Laura Wilcockson – Vocals & Violin
Marc Parnell – Drums
SUNBIRDS – 2022 UK Tour Dates:
Friday 17th June 2022
DONCASTER – Leopard
Website – https://www.gigantic.com/sunbirds-tickets/doncaster-the-leopard/2022-06-17-19-30
Doors open – 7.30pm
Ticket Price – £12.00
Saturday 18th June 2022
HULL – New Adelphi Club
Doors open – 8.00pm / On Stage – 8.30pm
Ticket Price – £12.50
Friday 24th June 2022
YORK – Crescent
Website – https://thecrescentyork.seetickets.com/event/sunbirds/the-crescent/1715370 and http://thecrescentyork.com/events/sunbirds/
Doors open – 7.30pm
Age restriction – 16+
Friday 1st July 2022
MANCHESTER / STOCKPORT – The Spinning Top
Doors open – 8.00pm
Age restriction – 16+
Saturday 2nd July 2022
MILLOM – Beggar’s Theatre
Box Office No: 01229 775 677
Website Link – https://beggarstheatre.com/event/sunbirds/
Doors open – 7.30pm / On Stage – 8.00pm
Ticket Price – £16.00
Friday 29th July 2022
LEICESTER – The Musician
Website Link – https://www.ticketweb.uk/event/sunbirds-the-musician-tickets/11797535
Doors open – 8.00pm
Ticket Price – £11.00
For more information on Sunbirds, please visit the links below:
Website https://sunbirds.co.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sunbirds.co.uk
Twitter https://twitter.com/SunbirdsMusic
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sunbirdsmusic
‘Meet You On The Northside’ video link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD_xiHG7CGk