I love reading behind-the-scenes stuff like this about my favorite records. Someday I hope you can give Noble Beast the same treatment. Noble Beast is one of my very favorite albums; brimming with life, curiosity, and whimsy… accessible yet somehow still mysterious, though I know it intimately.
I’ve heard you talk about the struggles to make this album, but what I would be really curious to know is what – in your mind – made the first attempts not work? What were you hearing or not hearing that didn’t meet your standards? Why did the version that eventually arrived tick all the boxes?
Were the songs intact but the recordings lifeless? The mix wrong? The production finicky? Or were the songs also unfinished and you hadn’t yet cracked their final form? I’d love to know what made you convinced they were failures. Thanks ❤️
Thank you for this set of notes, it was interesting at the time, too, to see the echoes from Weather Systems and more. "Eggs" is still one of my favorites. I, for one, would love to hear the early versions of songs and even the early versions of the album.
Thanks for the shout out Andrew - you were my first short doc! I was just talking to my DP today about that production. I didn't find you insufferable at all! Very focused. It seemed like everything was about to change. It would be great to put out the 60-long doc from that shoot sometime. Best, Bob Trondson/Clouds North Films
As a writer and musician, it is encouraging and helpful to get these insights on "the process". I never imagined the enigmatic Andrew Bird feeling like a failure in the midst of creating such amazing gems like "Eggs".
My best friend downloaded your music on an iPad for me as a gift when my daughter was born (that was 2007!) I've been a fan ever since.
Mysterious Production of Eggs was the first album of yours I ever listened to. You had me at “There will be snacks”. Definitely the way to a young 20 something woman’s heart.
Yup, commodification of concepts like talent and genius ---- I'm glad you survived it, I'm glad you lived to tell about it, I'm glad you took it in and refused to pass it on --- thank you
Just take my money 😂 can't wait for a boxed set. Several years ago, I sent Andrea a copy of a live show you did around that time. Some of the Eggs songs were done with Nora, but more in the style of the Swimming Hour. Would be tickled pink to hear some old live renditions or some of the "failed" versions on the boxed set! 😍
This is one of my favorite albums, and I finally managed to buy the 14 silkscreen prints that are signed and numbered by the fantastic Jay Ryan - 19 x 25 inches! <3
I love reading behind-the-scenes stuff like this about my favorite records. Someday I hope you can give Noble Beast the same treatment. Noble Beast is one of my very favorite albums; brimming with life, curiosity, and whimsy… accessible yet somehow still mysterious, though I know it intimately.
Hello fellow Noble Beast fan! I'd also enjoy a deep dive on that album.
Can you imagine how amazing that would be? I could also you a deep dive on Are You Serious!
I’ve heard you talk about the struggles to make this album, but what I would be really curious to know is what – in your mind – made the first attempts not work? What were you hearing or not hearing that didn’t meet your standards? Why did the version that eventually arrived tick all the boxes?
Were the songs intact but the recordings lifeless? The mix wrong? The production finicky? Or were the songs also unfinished and you hadn’t yet cracked their final form? I’d love to know what made you convinced they were failures. Thanks ❤️
Because I’m not artistic in any way, I don’t realize how challenging the process to create can be. Thank you for the insight.
Several years ago, I popped Mysterious Production of Eggs on the record player as I was making dinner.
Halfway through Sovay, my older son asked, “Who is this? This is amazing.”
I had played your records before, but this time your music really caught his attention and just spoke to him.
He’s been a fan ever since. Sovay is his favorite song (he was beyond thrilled to have heard it at the Gezelligheid show this past December).
It didn’t take too long before my two other sons became fans too.
It’s been wonderful enjoying your music and seeing your shows with my boys.
I have Eggs to thank for that.
Thank you for this set of notes, it was interesting at the time, too, to see the echoes from Weather Systems and more. "Eggs" is still one of my favorites. I, for one, would love to hear the early versions of songs and even the early versions of the album.
Thank you for sharing this “inside baseball” information. I’ve enjoyed your work since I first heard this album, and it’s just plain cool
to read your recounting (great performance the other day also). ✌️
Loved watching you perform Fake Palindromes recently in Highland Park. Excited for more of your current takes on some Eggs favorites.
Thanks for the shout out Andrew - you were my first short doc! I was just talking to my DP today about that production. I didn't find you insufferable at all! Very focused. It seemed like everything was about to change. It would be great to put out the 60-long doc from that shoot sometime. Best, Bob Trondson/Clouds North Films
As a writer and musician, it is encouraging and helpful to get these insights on "the process". I never imagined the enigmatic Andrew Bird feeling like a failure in the midst of creating such amazing gems like "Eggs".
My best friend downloaded your music on an iPad for me as a gift when my daughter was born (that was 2007!) I've been a fan ever since.
Mysterious Production of Eggs was the first album of yours I ever listened to. You had me at “There will be snacks”. Definitely the way to a young 20 something woman’s heart.
Yup, commodification of concepts like talent and genius ---- I'm glad you survived it, I'm glad you lived to tell about it, I'm glad you took it in and refused to pass it on --- thank you
It's really to cool to get this insight on some of my favorite music of all time. Music teachers can real sticks-in-the-mud.
Just take my money 😂 can't wait for a boxed set. Several years ago, I sent Andrea a copy of a live show you did around that time. Some of the Eggs songs were done with Nora, but more in the style of the Swimming Hour. Would be tickled pink to hear some old live renditions or some of the "failed" versions on the boxed set! 😍
🕊️🦅🦆🦜🐥🐣🦢🐓🦃🦉🪶🦩🪽🐦⬛
I love this record. I’m excited about what you come up with for a retrospective. & here’s more birds for you!
but was the little kid you or somebody else ? 🐥🐦⬛🦆🦅🦉🪿🐦🐧🐔(birds 4 u)
You’re our Where the Wild Things Are!! Also Party in the Graveyard is lovely 🫣😝
This is one of my favorite albums, and I finally managed to buy the 14 silkscreen prints that are signed and numbered by the fantastic Jay Ryan - 19 x 25 inches! <3