“It’s a Really Great Way to Showcase What We Have Going On” - An Interview With Bird & Byron
Kylie Fajman - @kyliefajman
In the Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Downtown Nashville, a stunning room, during the ‘School Night Showcase’ I was able to sit down with the band Bird and Byron, a rock/soul duo based in Nashville.
This duo is incredibly talented live, honestly one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live (and I have seen some pretty big bands). I first discovered Bird and Byron in April of 2023 in Chicago during a show I was shooting for. They played alongside, The Thing with Feathers and The Criticals; what caught my attention was their cover of Dr. Dog’s ‘Where’d All the Time Go?’. It was immediately jaw dropping hearing how effortless Blake can sing.
When I arrived I was met by the members of the duo, Blake, singer, and Nick, Lead Guitarist. They were incredibly kind and excited as well to do a quick interview for our magazine. Definitely one of the nicest bands I’ve ever worked with. Even after their set, they came back over to chat and ask what we thought of the show, and apologized that the set was short, but we thought it was amazing nonetheless.
When we sat in a little booth for their interview I knew it would be a great night. Learning their creative process, all the way to their hobbies outside of the music industry, Bird and Byron never disappoint.
(Photos from Bird and Byron’s set — click here to view Kylie’s full gallery)
What is it you are looking forward to most when it comes to performing at the School Night Music Showcase?
Blake (Bird) : “These are pretty well known shows, and I didn’t really know it until we got booked for it. There's a lot of artists who got discovered through these and it’s a really great way to showcase what we have going on and what we have coming up. I’m looking forward to the room especially, Analog is an amazing room, it always sounds amazing, so I’m really excited for that.”
What was the creative process behind your new single ‘Fly’?
Blake (Bird) : “Last year I went on a vacation with my girlfriend to New Jersey, we do that yearly. It was during a needed break, we had just finished an album, I had a week and a half off of not writing or anything. We got in the studio, like our little home studio, and Nick laid down this really cool line, like a guitar riff with backing drums, the lyrics just spilled out. It’s literally about kind of getting away from things that don’t make you happy, pretty much taking a vacation lightly. It’s about getting away and feeling okay with that more laid back kind of beachy feeling. It was probably inspired by that vacation.
Nick (Byron) : “We cut the demo in our house studio, but then we got the opportunity to take it to an actual studio. Down here, ‘Welcome to 1979’ and cut it with players and background. We had The McCrary Sisters on it. The actual version that's coming out is a little more fully produced.”
What are some of your interests and hobbies outside of being Bird and Byron?
Blake (Bird) : “I’ve been really into cooking lately, I like cooking for other people, it's really fun. I made a really good lasagna recently. I like working out, and going to live shows as well. Whenever I can find some time to go see somebody live it's always great.”
Nick (Byron) : “I do a lot of thrifting, like clothing. These shows are a good excuse to go find something new.”
What qualities do you guys admire in other musicians, who do you look up to lately?
Blake (Bird) : “As of recently we got to play with a band in town called ‘BEAN.’ I’ve just really enjoyed what they're doing recently with music. But their philosophy within the whole sphere, like a true cosmic gathering that they have whenever they're like playing live, and they take so much time at their live shows, but they're also great guys and extremely professional and freakishly talented, that's someone who I’ve been admiring recently for sure. Harrison and Colby, they're fantastic.
If you are looking for an insanely talented rock/soul group in Nashville, I beg of you to check them out. Personally, my favorite of them is ‘Me and Mrs. Rose’, it’ll blow you away.
Also, If you are looking for a band to see live soon, try and catch one of their upcoming shows at a date near you. From their insane band playing saxophone, drums, and some sick ass guitar, to a singer who has an insane voice like I’ve never heard before, and is even better live.
These guys are some of the kindest musicians I have ever met, and truly deserve more hype.
