Basement Birds
Encyclopedia
Basement Birds is an Australian indie group composed of Kavyen Temperley (Eskimo Joe
's frontman and bassist), Steve Parkin (solo singer/songwriter), Kevin Mitchell
(Jebediah
, aka Bob Evans) and solo singer/songwriter Josh Pyke
. The groups' mutual love of lush vocal harmonies and alt-country style was the basis for forming the Basement Birds project.
Influences cited by the band include Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Wilco
. The first single, "Waiting for You" was first introduced nationally on Australian Radio station Triple J
's Drive program on 14 April 2010 and subsequently released for sale on the iTunes
store.
touring band. He and Mitchell found moments during downtime to write what would become the first single, "Waiting For You". Meanwhile, Josh Pyke
had joined Eskimo Joe
on a national tour and began exchanging ideas with frontman, Kavyen Temperley. Pyke and Temperley penning a song called "Reasons".
The notion was now set in place as a reality, but the four were yet to actually get together in the same room (in fact this has only occurred during four week-long writing/recording sessions that have taken place since mid-2009). Plenty of calls and emails were exchanged however, and the initial vision of recording an acoustic-based, organic release that referenced their mutual love of the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Wilco
held true until the foursome were able to gather in Temperley's home studio in Hamilton Hill, Western Australia
to begin the recording process.
store 26 April 2010 and first introduced by The Doctor
on the Drive program of Australian national radio station Triple J
on 14 April 2010. In an accompanying interview with member Josh Pyke
, it was revealed that the group hopes to tour some time in mid 2010.
The video clip for the songs was filmed in the bush east of Armadale
and features all four members of the band, a blue pick-up truck, and a red dirt road. The driver of the truck is Malcolm Clark, The Sleepy Jackson
's drummer.
The Basement Birds debut album was released via iTunes
digital downloads in the form of 3 EP bundles and 2 singles released every couple of weeks. The first bundle of songs includes "Reasons", "Skin of the Sky" and "Bus Stop" (featuring Julia Stone
), released on iTunes on 17 May 2010.
The debut album was released physically on 16 July 2010. It features the tracks from the EP's and singles, and the CD-only track "Waterlines".
Three iTunes exclusive acoustic sessions have also been released.
Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe is an Australian alternative rock band formed by Stuart MacLeod on guitars, Joel Quartermain on drums and guitar and Kavyen Temperley on bass guitar and vocals, in East Fremantle, Western Australia in 1997....
's frontman and bassist), Steve Parkin (solo singer/songwriter), Kevin Mitchell
Kevin Mitchell (musician)
Kevin Edward Mitchell , is an Australian musician, known for his role as the vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Jebediah and also his solo work under the stage name of Bob Evans....
(Jebediah
Jebediah
Jebediah is an Australian alternative rock band formed in 1994 in Perth, Western Australia. The group consists of vocalist and guitarist Kevin Mitchell, guitarist Chris Daymond, bassist Vanessa Thornton, and Kevin's brother Brett Mitchell on drums...
, aka Bob Evans) and solo singer/songwriter Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke is an Australian singer-songwriting musician.-Beginnings and Feeding the Wolves :Josh Pyke was in his first band by age 12 and played his first performance in front of 650 parents and students at his primary school graduation. Playing guitar and initial song writing efforts came aged 14...
. The groups' mutual love of lush vocal harmonies and alt-country style was the basis for forming the Basement Birds project.
Influences cited by the band include Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
. The first single, "Waiting for You" was first introduced nationally on Australian Radio station Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
's Drive program on 14 April 2010 and subsequently released for sale on the iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
store.
Formation
Talk of the groups' four members combining forces was initially discussed around 2008 whilst Steve Parkin was performing in the Bob EvansKevin Mitchell (musician)
Kevin Edward Mitchell , is an Australian musician, known for his role as the vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Jebediah and also his solo work under the stage name of Bob Evans....
touring band. He and Mitchell found moments during downtime to write what would become the first single, "Waiting For You". Meanwhile, Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke is an Australian singer-songwriting musician.-Beginnings and Feeding the Wolves :Josh Pyke was in his first band by age 12 and played his first performance in front of 650 parents and students at his primary school graduation. Playing guitar and initial song writing efforts came aged 14...
had joined Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe
Eskimo Joe is an Australian alternative rock band formed by Stuart MacLeod on guitars, Joel Quartermain on drums and guitar and Kavyen Temperley on bass guitar and vocals, in East Fremantle, Western Australia in 1997....
on a national tour and began exchanging ideas with frontman, Kavyen Temperley. Pyke and Temperley penning a song called "Reasons".
The notion was now set in place as a reality, but the four were yet to actually get together in the same room (in fact this has only occurred during four week-long writing/recording sessions that have taken place since mid-2009). Plenty of calls and emails were exchanged however, and the initial vision of recording an acoustic-based, organic release that referenced their mutual love of the likes of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
held true until the foursome were able to gather in Temperley's home studio in Hamilton Hill, Western Australia
Hamilton Hill, Western Australia
Hamilton Hill is a suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, and is located southwest of Perth's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Cockburn.-History:...
to begin the recording process.
Releases
"Waiting for You", the first single was released exclusively on the iTunesITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
store 26 April 2010 and first introduced by The Doctor
Jay and the Doctor
Jay and the Doctor are the on-air names of Australian radio duo Jason Whalley and Lindsay McDougall, on radio station Triple J.Best known as members of punk band Frenzal Rhomb, they performed occasional late-night shifts on Triple J until 2004...
on the Drive program of Australian national radio station Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
on 14 April 2010. In an accompanying interview with member Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke
Josh Pyke is an Australian singer-songwriting musician.-Beginnings and Feeding the Wolves :Josh Pyke was in his first band by age 12 and played his first performance in front of 650 parents and students at his primary school graduation. Playing guitar and initial song writing efforts came aged 14...
, it was revealed that the group hopes to tour some time in mid 2010.
The video clip for the songs was filmed in the bush east of Armadale
Armadale, Western Australia
Armadale is a suburb within the City of Armadale, located on the south-eastern edge of Perth's metropolitan area. The major junction of the South Western and Albany Highways, which connect Perth with the South West and Great Southern regions of Western Australia respectively, is located within the...
and features all four members of the band, a blue pick-up truck, and a red dirt road. The driver of the truck is Malcolm Clark, The Sleepy Jackson
The Sleepy Jackson
The Sleepy Jackson are an Australian alternative rock band formed in Perth, Western Australia. The band's name was inspired by a former drummer who was narcoleptic. The band revolves around the distinctive vocal style of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Luke Steele...
's drummer.
The Basement Birds debut album was released via iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
digital downloads in the form of 3 EP bundles and 2 singles released every couple of weeks. The first bundle of songs includes "Reasons", "Skin of the Sky" and "Bus Stop" (featuring Julia Stone
Angus & Julia Stone
Angus & Julia Stone are an Australian brother-sister duo from Newport on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Forming in 2005, their parents are both musical and played as a folk duo before Angus and Julia were born. At very young ages, their father introduced them to music and encouraged them to join...
), released on iTunes on 17 May 2010.
The debut album was released physically on 16 July 2010. It features the tracks from the EP's and singles, and the CD-only track "Waterlines".
Three iTunes exclusive acoustic sessions have also been released.
Singles
- "Waiting for You" (26 April 2010)
- "Not the One" (22 June 2010)
EPs
- "Skin of the Sky"/"Reasons"/"Bus Stop" (17 May 2010)
- iTunes Sessions (8 June 2010)
- iTunes Sessions (23 June 2010)
- "Holly"/"Hardest Part"/"Heartache On the Radio" (29 June 2010)
- iTunes Sessions (13 July 2010)
- "Cinnamon and Smoke"/"All That I Feel"/"Ghosts"/"Hamilton Hill" (13 July 2010)
Current
The core members of the band are:- Kavyen Temperley — (2009–present)
- Kevin MitchellKevin Mitchell (musician)Kevin Edward Mitchell , is an Australian musician, known for his role as the vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Jebediah and also his solo work under the stage name of Bob Evans....
— (2009–present) - Steve Parkin — (2009–present)
- Josh PykeJosh PykeJosh Pyke is an Australian singer-songwriting musician.-Beginnings and Feeding the Wolves :Josh Pyke was in his first band by age 12 and played his first performance in front of 650 parents and students at his primary school graduation. Playing guitar and initial song writing efforts came aged 14...
— (2009–present)