Bird Of Youth (acoustic) and Doug Gillard

Bird of Youth is a rock band from Brooklyn whose music recalls the classic and college rock that its members grew up with, as well as the swagger of old New York girl groups and the insight and sarcasm of the early new wave songwriters. Inherent in singer Beth Wawerna's voice is a cool stoicism that finds a perfect match in lead guitarist Clinton Newman, whose lush, multilayered harmonies and intertwining guitar parts give the band a distinctive sound – something like Chrissie Hynde fronting Squeeze or Nico signed to Stiff Records. As intricate pop songcraft crumbles into gauzy atmospherics and literate observations devolve into boozy chaos, Bird of Youth's rave-ups and kiss-offs turn indie-rock braininess back on itself with a casual frivolity.

Bird of Youth just finished their second album, due out later this year. It was recorded in Brooklyn with Phil Palazzolo (The New Pornographers, Ted Leo, Neko Case) and John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., The Hold Steady, Sonic Youth, Kurt Vile).

Bird of Youth is Beth Wawerna, Clinton Newman, Johnny North, Ben Lord and Kenneth Wachtel.


Doug Gillard is a guitarist's guitar player. Over the past two decades he's lent his considerable talents to a huge array of recordings, and has been an integral member of Death Of Samantha, Guided By Voices, Richard Buckner's Band, and most recently Nada Surf. His technical prowess and creative, angular melodies have influenced a generation of indie rockers.

Most people, however, don't realize Gillard is also a prolific songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. On April 8th, Nine Mile Records is releasing Gillard's third solo outing - Parade On - a collection of razor-sharp gems that recall the halcyon days of power-pop acts such as The Knack, Squeeze, and Graham Parker.

Gillard sings and plays nearly every note on Parade On (with the exception of drums and occassional backing vocals), and, although the songs range from aggressive punky New Wave to melodic 70s influenced psych, this is assuredly a pop record that should appeal to fans of all of his other outfits.

The upbeat mood and sugary melodies of Parade On also mask some dark subject matter. Songs such as "Ready For Death," "I Shalt Not Want," and the title track deal head on with issues of loss and mortality. However, it's clear that Gillard approaches these topics with the assuredness of someone who's been through a lot and come out the other side stronger, wiser, and more confident; a fitting metaphor for his career in music.