Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, already one of Brooklyn’s most buzzed-about live acts thanks to their “mean, sweaty, rock and soul wallop” (All That Jazz), will release their new album ‘Pound of Dirt’ (Modern Vintage Recordings) on February 28. With the stunning and fervent Arleigh Kincheloe at center stage – a rock n’ roll diva with the attitude of Amy Winehouse, the regality of Adele, and the energy of Mick Jagger – the nine-piece band is set to explode into the mainstream in 2012 with their hard-nosed blend of Memphis soul, Americana, and gritty garage rock.
The foundation for ‘Pound of Dirt’ is laid on “Make It Rain,” led by Kincheloe’s fast-paced crooning, heavyweight horns, and fiery harmonica breaks courtesy of Jackson Kincheloe, Arleigh’s brother and the leader of the Dirty Birds. The group subtly dips into an expansive array of styles on ‘Pound of Dirt,’ channeling Amy Winehouse’s gritty vocals on “Hollow Bones,” Sharon Jones’ meticulously tight grooves on “Too Much,” and studio experimentation akin to My Morning Jacket and Broken Social Scene on “Horse To Water.”
The band’s roots trace back to New York’s Catskill Mountains, where Arleigh and Jackson were raised by musician parents and wrote and performed songs together as children in their living room. Since word of their high-energy live shows spread outside New York, they’ve found themselves opening for the likes of Dr. John, The Black Keys, and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, and performing at festivals including Gathering of the Vibes, Bear Creek, and moe.down. The band will bring ‘Pound of Dirt’ on the road throughout 2012 with their own headlining shows, a set at SXSW, and a number of festival appearances to be announced in the weeks ahead.
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds is Arleigh Kincheloe (vocals), Jackson Kincheloe (harmonica), Bram Kincheloe (drums), Aidan Carroll (bass), Sasha Brown (guitar), Ryan Snow (trombone), JJ Byars (alto saxophone), Johnny Butler (baritone saxophone), and Phil Rodriguez (trumpet).
Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds 2012 Tour Dates:
Jan. 6 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
Jan. 27 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne
Jan. 28 – Providence, RI – The Spot Underground
Feb. 3 – Albany, NY – Jillian’s
Feb. 4 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
Feb. 10 – Manchester, CT – The Main Pub
Feb. 11 – Glens Falls, NY – Hotshot’s
Feb. 17 – Camp Hill, PA – Millennium Music Conference
Feb. 18 – Ithaca, NY – Castaways
Mar. 16 – SXSW – New Frontier Showcase (details TBD)
Mar. 24 – Omaha. NE – Holland Performing Arts Center
