Cleveland-based artist Jerry Popiel has been inventing and refining a new soundscape over the past few years-- "Rust Belt Folk Rock!" With a sound that bridges the valley between acoustic folk, Americana alt-rock and edgy 1960s-type pop, Jerry's earnest singing yields a uniquely positive voice.
Solo, or with the Birdhouse Gourds, Jerry has opened for many familiar artists, including support slots with the Beach Boys, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Sister Hazel, Shawn Mullins, The Fixx, Ambrosia, The Strawbs, Naked Eyes and Leon Russell, and has entertained from the stages of Lakewood's The Winchester, Cleveland's House of Blues, Tower City Amphitheater, Nautica Pavilion and Beachland Ballroom. He has been featured on the Cleveland television programs "Crooked River Groove," "Words and Music," "Random Acts of Music" and repeat performances on WRUW 91.1 FM's "Live from Cleveland" show.
Jerry's film and movie soundtrack debut, director/producer Eric Shiveley's film "Everyone But You," won the Best Composer Award at the Jackson Hole Film Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on June 9, 2008. The film includes scenes with Jerry and three of his songs ("Irene," "One Good Reason," and "That Girl"). The film also won the Emerging Artist Award at the Oxford International Film Festival.
Jerry's debut album with Birdhouse Gourds was called "Ohio," and was released in November, 2005. In addition to writing and performing all the tunes with the band, he also recorded, mixed and mastered the album. He has gained radio airplay on Ohio independent stations, and on national stations as far away as Radio Free Colorado, KRFC and western Europe. The Ohio CD is available through www.cdbaby.com, www.amazon.com and select regional stores. The album, or any of its singles, can be downloaded through www.itunes.com or many other online outlets -- just search for "Birdhouse Gourds."
Cool Cleveland, February 2006
The 13 tracks on "Ohio" are chock-full of fun, hook-laden guitar pop, filled with that jangly guitar sound that populated the airwaves in the "post-R.E.M." era. It takes nothing away from the cohesion shared by Jerry Popiel, Jake Schneider, Will Albrecht and Gregg Thauvette. They sound strong, confident and observant.
From the opening notes of "Irene," a love song from the guy next door, to the garage-rock strains of "Second Chance," you can tell that the bones of strong, tight songwriting are there. The musicianship and vocals are clearly there. And certainly the attention of Cleveland music fans -- who have seen these guys open for the Beach Boys, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, The Fixx, and a ton of other local and national acts -- is there.
And heck, they sound like they're having fun, which is extremely important as well. The lyrics and music are a rust-belt reflection of growing up and coming-of-age in Ohio. The magic "it" factor that "Ohio" is missing at some points will follow. It has to. They've got just about everything else in the right place. -- Peter Chakerian, Cool Cleveland.
Lorain Journal, November 18, 2005 [excerpts]
The Lorain area group called the Birdhouse Gourds has only been playing their original tunes for three years. But tight songwriting and infectious '80s-inspired tunes have brought them a good degree of notice in Northeast Ohio, including opening slots for The Beach Boys, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald and The Fixx, plus being featured on "Crooked River Groove" and "Words and Music" television programs and the "Live from Cleveland" radio show.
Now the group has chronicled all the work of the past into its official debut, "Ohio." The 13 tracks drop hook-laden guitar pop that gives a nod to the numerous late '70s and early '80s acts that filled out the New Wave scene in Northeast Ohio, as well as the rest of the nation, with the jangly guitar sound heard in the post-REM era. -- John Patrick Gatta, The Beat.
Cleveland Free Times, November 9, 2005 [excerpts]
Don't know these guys personally, but my guess is that they're into '60s folk-rock. You know, bands like the Byrds and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young that could harmonize and wrote lyrics that meant something. At least that's what comes across on this, the Gourds' official full-length debut. From the opening notes of "Irene," a jangly love song from the "guy who lives next door" to "Second Chance," a garage-rock number that recalls the brisk beat of "La Bamba," the disc posits the band as 21st century classic rock. -- Jeff Niesel, Music Editor.
The Press, December 22, 2004 [excerpts]
Playing onstage at the House of Blues, Cleveland's newest hot-spot, the Birdhouse Gourds wanted to make something perfectly clear to the December 14 audience. "We're from Cleveland," lead singer and front man Jerry Popiel said to the Tuesday night crowd, drawing a rousing round of applause.
Taking the stage at the House of Blues, the band performs like they are the night's headliner, ripping out a dozen songs of what Popiel refers to as "quirky mainstream rock..." The band shows an affinity for mixing up tempos and playing songs with girls' names such as Claire, Irene and Caroline, Caroline.
"Playing at the House of Blues... it was very rewarding... I'd play there again in a heartbeat" [Will] Albrecht said.
The Birdhouse Gourds may be just a step away from the major success they are not necessarily looking for. In fact, the people most startled at the band's success could be... the Birdhouse Gourds. "Yeah, we're pretty surprised about it," Popiel said laughing. -- Lori Switaj, Asst. Editor
Cleveland Free Times, August 25, 2004
Avon Lake's Birdhouse Gourds play the kind of middle-of-the-road alt-rock that's made acts such as Matchbox Twenty and the Dave Matthews Band platinum sellers. "Stupid Party" is a great rave-up, and "Irene" is as catchy as any Barenaked Ladies tune. -- Jeff Niesel, Music Editor
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