Seattle Met's "Album of the Month" 5/2012
"Every now and then, a band or artist turns out an album that’s so well executed, there’s no denying its merits, even if it’s not a genre one would normally dig. This is exactly how I’d categorize the debut EP by Seattle alt-folk duo Impossible Bird. It was April’s pleasant surprise. The five-song album is a mix of fiddle and falsetto, backed by incredible talent."
"Acoustic duos simply aren’t supposed to have this big a sound. It’s really only a matter of time before Impossible Bird has an equally large audience."
From Seattle Weekly:
"This debut album, composed of an internationally known fiddler, acoustic guitar, and impeccable vocals, is an absolutely stellar combination of upbeat alt-folk that's mesmerizing and radiates talent."
"Seattle's Impossible Bird is the Next Big Musical Duo"
The Story of Impossible Bird:
It was eight years ago that the funky and catchy songs of Nick Drummond started the toes tapping and hands clapping of audiences across the Pacific Northwest. Playing then with his first band The Senate, people of all ages would fill venues to capacity to witness this band light up the stage. Soon they we’re playing sold-out double-headers at venues such as Seattle’s Triple Door, and Columbia City Theater, and playing along side such notable personalities as A Prairie Home Companion’s Garrison Keillor, who praised the group, and Nick’s songs as “Truly remarkable. Brilliant Dionysian music.”
It was at one of these shows that Nick met Tyler Carson, an internationally renown violinist and fiddler. On tour at the time with the Canadian band The Paperboys, Tyler joined Nick for an impromptu jam that lasted for almost six hours. Musical sparks flew, and a bond was formed that would outlast the life of The Senate, and prove to be the start of something truly remarkable.
Tyler, who’s musical career has spanned two decades (he’s 28, now) began his musical journey busking with his sister Kendel Carson, drawing large numbers of people in with their twin fiddles and electric stage presence. Together they would travel the world, with tours of Japan, Thailand, the Cayman Islands, New Zealand, the Jerry Lewis Telethon in Hollywood, as well as multiple appearances as soloists with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. However, despite tours around Europe and the world playing classical and folk music, he says he has finally found a musical home within the music he and Nick are creating. “This is the first time I’ve ever gotten to draw from every one of my musical backgrounds – and often within the same song!” he says.
Adding to his technical prowess on the violin, is his new instrument, a Stroh, or resonator violin. The bowed sound coming out of a brass horn is a haunting, disembodied sound which according to one audi- ence member “sounds like a dream, but feels like the truth.”
Holding it all together, is Nick’s percussive guitar. At times reminiscent of early Dave Matthews but with sparks of world influence, it provides a solid and evolving grove for his captivating lyrics and Tyler’s soaring instrumental counterpoint. Together they weave musical tapestries which run the gamut from haunting to joyful, melancholic to spiritually alive.
It is within this world of rhythmic and melodic intrigue, that audiences in the US and Canada have found themselves enchanted, and carried somewhere new. Their music comes at the listener from all angles, and makes one feel things to the core. It’s rare that a duo can play a full two hours, and have the audience literally hanging off every word, every resolution, every note. But that is what happens when these two share the stage. And before too long, the audience joins them on their feet, and everyone is dancing along.
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