Split-Bill with Drumming Bird and Bellas Bartok

Drumming Bird
 

Drumming Bird is the main vehicle of singer-songwriter Austin Sawyer. The 24-year-old has been writing and performing music as Drumming Bird for over 8 years, meticulously crafting a sound that lies somewhere between the youthful noise of indie rock and the poignant working-class introspection of Americana. Drumming Bird’s latest chapter is defined by Nashville’s once-renowned culture of honest songwriting and steel guitars, and the clamor of DIY home studios that litter the city today.

 

The growth of Drumming Bird’s burgeoning fanbase has been catalyzed by national TV placements, including Showtime’s hit show, Shameless, high-octane live performances at some of the Southeast's flagship clubs and a June 2022 solo tour, supporting Daniel Nunnelee on 23 shows nationwide.

 

“American Spirits” was released on May 19th, and reached a wide new audience with its timely and pointed lyricism. It has quickly established Sawyer as a songwriter’s songwriter, earning praise from the likes of Katie Pruitt, Manchester Orchestra, and Lori Mckenna. It also scored him second place finishes in Unsigned Only’s 2022 Songwriting Contest and American Songwriter’s 2022 Song Contest, along with placements in Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds: Folk playlists. The following single “Electric Cowboy” premiered in late July and landed on Spotify’s editorial playlists: Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds: Rock, and Grade A

Bella's Bartok
 

“Live your fantasy and embrace the stranger side of life with Bella’s Bartok. A band known for raucous theatrical performances and an outspoken political message of finding hope in a world beset by cruel uncertainty. With utter joy, they seamlessly blend a rich cacophony of sound and soul into their music with influences ranging from Punk to Folk and Pop to Americana.  Let your freak flag fly high, fiercely and free, throw your societal inhibitions to the wayside and seek comfort in the warm sonic embrace of Bella’s Bartok. We are the night and you are bound to boogie.”

 

Bella’s Bartok’s newest release, Sticks and Stones, tells a story leading up to and through the Covid pandemic and the responses thus by individuals and the US government at large.  The intent behind this song evolved over its lengthy writing process. The verse is the oldest part, dating melodically from late 2017 and lyrically from early 2018. It tells the tale of the dissolution of a long-standing romantic relationship, conjuring imagery of industry and failed emotional infrastructure. 

 

Rust, rot and loss give way to the pre-chorus with the repeated call and response refrain of “We’ll work it out.” This section came about shortly before the pandemic, in November of 2019. More than a plea, the lyrics are an admonishment of despair, a reminder that hope does truly spring eternal — for both the individual and the community. 

 

The key to this song is its chorus. Written in the deepest, darkest period of the pandemic. 

Rather than wallow in misery, the lyrics confront the certain doom of Covid, the loss and utterly inept response of government in trying to contain the disease. Like any good tongue-in-cheek political commentary, existential crisis can be defanged and declawed by taking the wind out of its sails. The world keeps spinning, even through the hypocrisy of those in power. 

 

Started in the dimly lit alleyways of Great Barrington, MA, Bella’s Bartok gradually evolved from street-punk performers to an electric, interactive spectacle that has continued to entertain audiences for more than a decade. Find Bella’s Bartok on a variety of stages, at a myriad of festivals, or on the street across the continental United States. Audiences often pick up on the band’s main influences such as Goran Bregović, Frank Zappa, Mr. Bungle, System of a Down, Tom Waits and Oingo Boingo.

 

Floors may be broken but hearts will be mended.