Brotherly happy heavy act Tweak Bird have been doing their thing since 2007, playing shows, touring, releasing music including their most recent release. One of the brothers Ashton Bird took some time to discuss this release and this duo's plans for their future.
1. Why did you want this band to be a duo instead of a full fledged band?
Ashton: We didn't necessarily want the band to be a duo it was more out of necessity that we became a duo we played as a three and four piece band for years. Then at some point we were the only ones that showed up to band practice.
2. Why are you called "The Brothers Bird"?
Ashton: Because were brothers.
3. Where did the name Tweak Bird come from and what does it mean and represent for the band?
Ashton: Tweak Bird came about as a joke for us, a sarcastic name sort of poking fun at a lot of bands we were playing with had animals in their names, so we played one show as Tweak Bird said it was a joke but then it stuck.
4. Who are your musical influences?
Ashton: Summer is coming so I'll be influenced by The James Gang and Thin Lizzy.
5. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Ashton: Aliens coming from outer space and teaching humans to chill out and take care of each other and this planet we currently inhabit.
6. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Ashton: Yeah, we've been writing songs together for a long time but we still don't know how that works.
7. Your "Self-Titled" was a success. Did you feel any pressure to do this follow-up to that particular release?
Ashton: Not really, we took our time with this record, we've released an EP and a couple 7 inches since our last LP. This album is new territory for us, we're really excited.
8. It's been four years since the release of you "Self-Titled". Why such a long time period between albums?
Ashton: So we we're taking time off, chilling out. Then one day Caleb and I are talking on the phone and me both realize how much we've been missing playing together so we got together and jammed and immediately started writing these new songs and started moving forward on making a new record.
9. Who did the cover art for “Any Ol’ Way” and how much input did you have on it?
Ashton: Caleb made the cover art for the album our good friend Bryan Richard Martin took the photo and then Caleb and I discussed themes and concepts and he went from there so it was equal input from all of us.10. Is there any story or concept behind the “Any Ol’ Way” title? What inspired the title? Would say that this has a concept to it?
Ashton: Yeah any ol' way is something our good friend Bill says pretty regularly and I think after taking the time off and then writing this new record Caleb and I both realized that it doesn't have to be handled in any specific way we love playing music together and We will continue to do that even if it doesn't fit the format or the schedule of release dates and things like that and we're just going to get it done any ol way.
11. Who produced “Any Ol’ Way” and what was it like working with them?
Ashton: The album was self produced, with the help of David Allen out of Chicago. it was really great working with David I think he brought a level of comfort and excitement into the studio that really helped Caleb and I move into this new territory and take some of the risks that we normally wouldn't take.
12. What's your favorite song on the album right now?
Ashton: We played Greens a couple days ago for a video blog. That song was fun.
13. How do you describe your music to people?
Ashton: We play music we like and it doesn't necessarily stay in one genre so I think it's hard to describe I just let people hear it.
14. What image do you think your music conveys?
Ashton: I guess that's for the listener to decide.
15. What live performance experience have you had?
Ashton: We've toured a lot. We love playing live.
16. How do you rate your live performance ability?
Ashton: We are 100% awesome at playing live zero mess ups ever.
17. You will be heading out on the road, what have you guys done to prepare yourselves for this run?
Ashton: We have primarily been focusing on finalizing artwork and getting all the technical aspects of tour handled as of May 1st we will be practicing long and hard, several times a week to get on the same page as players so that's cause I think them major part of live shows for us is the jam element the unknown element the parts of the songs that aren't written and that's something that you can't really practice, but we try to play together enough to be able to let those jams go and feel comfortable and confident that we're going to go to the same place.
18. What can the fans expect to hear more of the new or old stuff on this tour?
Ashton: We're planning to play a mix of both old and new stuff though the new songs are a lot of fun for us right now, so you may be hearing a few more of those than the others.
19. How do you promote your band and shows?
Ashton: By doing interviews like this and using social media platforms like Facebook!20. Can you describe your show, visual and musically for us?
Ashton: That's something that's changing all the time we don't generally have lots of bright lights but as far as the music goes our feelings and attitudes change so much every day so, so does the way the songs sound.
21. What else can we see from you guys for the rest of this year?
Ashton: Probably this new record out this month on let's pretend records, touring, and we're doing a split 7 inch with King Buzzo which is exciting! And partyin!
22. Anything else you'd like to say or would like to add?
Ashton: Peace to all the people, thanks for reading!
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