Radio Birds

With a revamped lineup behind them and a formidable touring schedule ahead, Atlanta band Radio Birds is slated to release their debut full-length Contemporary American Slang next week. The band, which is comprised of Justin Keller, Jaz Dixon, Chase Lamondo and Colin Dean, recorded the album at Southern Tracks Studios and enlisted instrumentals from Will Turpin and Mark O’Connor on a few songs, too. Stream the album in its entirety in the player above, and check out the band’s upcoming tour dates below. Contemporary American Slang is set for release on Feb. 3 via Brash Music. - Paste Magazine

Talk about a successful makeover. Since completely reinventing themselves with a new sound and a new lineup in 2013, Atlanta rockers Radio Birds have played SXSW and 2014’s Rock Boat (they’ll play Rock Boat 2015 in just a few days as well), had their music featured in a major film, and been picked up by Brash Records.

In advance of the February 3rd release of their new album, Contemporary American Slang, check out “Hold On Me,” a crackling, electric rocker that builds with wailing guitars and slamming drums, weaving through a vicious, rasping voice that lays down a catchy hook perfect for shouting along. The accompanying video makes a fitting partner with the track: a rambling, gritty, whiskey and cigarette-fueled tour through the night.

Check out the track (and the video) below… - Elmore Magazine

Atlanta-based band takes flight into the Downtown Milledgeville music scene with a recent Buffington’s performance on Aug. 29
Energy pulsing off the stage into the crowd with every guitar strum and drum beat, the Atlanta-based band of four known as Radio Birds has flown into the music world, starting a revolution on the music scene with its creative blend of genres and addictive lyrics.

Radio Birds’s first appearance at Buffington’s kept the crowd entertained with their upbeat covers of Southern classic songs and a catchy batch of originals from their new self-titled album. The digital release of the album was Sept. 3, and can be ordered on their website, radiobirds.net. – Photo Credit: Ellie Smith
Originally a high school band, JK and the Lost Boys decided to pursue another musical journey and evolved into Radio Birds with members Justin Keller, Chase Lamondo, Jaz Dixon and Colin Dean.
Radio Birds, faced with the need for a name change, hosted a three-month campaign on its website for fans to help with the name-change decision. Each time an individual participated in the campaign, they were rewarded with a new demo from Radio Birds’s upcoming record.
“We liked the idea of Radio Birds because there is no real meaning behind it,” Justin Keller, lead guitarist, said. “[The name] is a fresh start. As the years go by we can gain more meaning behind the band name.”
JK and the Lost Boys produced an EP called “Streetlights and Avenues,” which was released in 2010. Radio Birds was in search of a new sound and changed its producer to match its new vision.

Photo Credit: Ellie Smith
“When we started making this record, we wanted to go with a more gritty sound,” Keller said. “The record was production-wise perfect. There wasn’t anything wrong with it. It was a little too clean. We wanted to find someone to work with that would make our sound a little grittier. The batch of songs that made the record are all really different.”
The album showcases the various musical backgrounds of each band member with songs ranging from indie pop to folk rock.
“I first saw Radio Birds perform at the Battle of the Bands competition at The Masquerade in Atlanta and liked their music,” Lexi Scott, sophomore mass communication major, said. “[Radio Birds’] music is really genuine and fun to just jam out to.”
As a whole, the band strives toward its ultimate goal of sustaining itself solely off of its music, but are faced with the challenge of spending time on their music and the time-consuming demands of college and work.
“The biggest challenge has been that we all are really pursuing this really hard and want to make this a viable lifestyle for all of us,” Keller said. “We are all not there yet. Balancing music and trying to go all in and still having a bed to sleep in is the difficulty that we are all facing.”
Radio Birds performed at Buffington’s on Aug. 29 and played a set list highlighting its new tracks on its self-titled CD “Radio Birds.”

Photo Credit: Ellie Smith
“I liked the charisma of the [Radio Birds,]” Leah Diebboll, sophomore exercise science major, said. “They made all of their songs enjoyable and really seemed to be having a good time on stage. It’s good to support new artists and live music is enjoyable, especially to be able to see people do what they love.”
Performing their song “Long Way Down,” Radio Birds’s determination to make in the music world resonated in the lyrics.
’Cause it’s a long way down that
cold and darkened valley/
I’m tired of living through other
people’s journeys/
And I’ll make my way as soon as I
see the sun/
Now the road is calling, so long.
Interested in listening to Radio Birds? Access their music from their online store at Radiobirds.net. - The Colonnade

Atlanta’s spicy rock quartet, Radio Birds released their new single, “Sleep City,” today.

Their new album, Contemporary American Slang, is set to release February 3rd, 2015 under Brash Music, to whom they’ve recently been signed. Contemporary American Slang will feature Mark O’Connor and Will Turpin (of Collective Soul) on select tracks.

We’re big fans of Radio Birds here at Perversion, featuring them in our most recent issue, as well as in our video series, The Yellow Apartment. And even more importantly, we’re big fans of the guys behind the sound. They’ve crashed on our couches and we’ve crashed on theirs and we’ve woken up and eaten breakfast together—or lunch, in some case.

If you’re in the Miami area on January 23rd, you should head out to The Rock Boat XV festival, where Radio Birds will be performing, and where you’ll be able to pick up Contemporary American Slang before its official release. - Perversion Magazine

ATLANTA QUARTET REMIND US ALL WHAT GOOD ROCK N ROLL SOUNDS LIKE

To see and hear them now, you might never believe that a few short years ago Radio Birds had a completely different lineup, look, and sound. In early 2013, rising united from their earlier musical experiences, these four young men decided to take a risk and start completely over with a new name and sound. They quickly worked up a batch of new songs, and by that summer they had recorded a successful EP and had begun playing extensively, even winning the 2013 Masquerade Musicians Showcase in Atlanta, GA. Within a year of their rechristening, they were booked for The Rock Boat 2014 (and 15!), were featured in a major motion picture (Jason Momoa’s “Road to Paloma”), played SXSW, and attracted the services of indie Atlanta label Brash Music. Things have moved quickly for a reason, and everyone involved points back to two causes: Radio Bird’s irresistible character and undeniably unique sound.

That sound is simple: Plain-Old Rock and Roll Music with a distinctly hairy touch. Meaning, it is not clean, it is not easy, (or too difficult), and it is not The Next Logical Revival of a Previously Popular Genre From the Seventies. It is what you get when four guys all write music with the basic beliefs that it must be played live, and it must be played everywhere. Each of their songs is different from the others and is balanced by the web of harmonies that entangles the whole group. Everybody sings, and sometimes, you just can’t help but sing along.

Over the past year the number of those singing along has increased dramatically. Radio Birds has taken their sound out to the world, and their dedicated touring and writing schedule proves one thing: Radio Birds wants you to hear them now more than ever. They are proud to announce an exciting new album, Contemporary American Slang, recorded at the world-famous Southern Tracks studio, featuring an impressively diverse set of songs and even additional instrumentation by Will Turpin (Collective Soul) and Mark O’Connor. Equipped with new songs, longer hair, and scruffier beards, they look forward to spending the next several months bringing this music to everyone who will listen. - HeadWarmer