WE SUPPORT SASKATCHEWAN’S ENTERTAINMENT & MUSIC SCENE

Whether it’s reaching out to a newly released project, musician or creating a spotlight for local talent to be heard on any of our stages, as well as opportunities to be heard opening for larger acts on a full-venue stage. We look forward to assist and launch newest concepts that strongly support the local music in this province. The local music scene is super important to us – we are a small province, but we have big dreams. Let’s grow and support each other – putting Saskatchewan on the map for premium music and entertainment experience.

IT’S ALMOST SECOND NATURE FOR LAST BIRDS’ FIRST EP

Two voices, two guitars, and the same passion. Lindsay Arnold and Mike Davis are Last Birds – a Folk Americana duo from North Portal, Saskatchewan. A husband/wife song-writing team with a passion for telling stories through music while focusing on close vocal harmonies and interwoven acoustic guitars. The couple has been making music together for quite some time with the group ‘Hook & Nail’. While honing their craft, Last Birds was born. Lindsay took over the rhythm guitar role and Mike played lead guitar. The approach to Last Birds is to take advantage of the musical intimacy that is possible in a spouse duo, while keeping instrumentation minimal. The couple debuted their project in late-2019, recording and performing throughout 2020/2021 regardless of any set backs due to the “new normal”. They performed for 2021 Breakout West at Folk Alliance International, FACTOR’s International Women’s Day, SaskTel Max Local on Demand, and the 2021 Saskatchewan Music Awards. Lindsay and Mike have had many unforgettable moments during their short time as Last Birds, but that makes their debut EP so much more special.

Lindsay Arnold and Mike Davis of Last Birds share their time with us to chat about their debut EP releasing on April 16th 2021. We sit down to go over how the married couple began making music together as a duo. We learn about their songwriting process and their other project Hook & Nail. Lindsay and Mike chat about creating their debut single “Worry About It” with Jayson Brinkworth, and Brad Prosko. They share the story of how their debut album went from recording at Touchwood Studios to the Days Inn in Estevan, SK. The debut EP releases on Friday, learn about what’s next for this duo in 2021, upcoming shows and so much more.

YOU MAKE UP TWO THIRDS OF THE FOLK TRIO, HOOK & NAIL.

HOOK & NAIL HAS RECEIVED ACCOLADES, SUCH AS: CANADIAN FOLK MUSIC AWARD NOMINATION FOR NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR IN 2020 AND REACHING #4 ON THE SASKMUSIC’S BEST SASKATCHEWAN ALBUMS OF 2018 LIST. WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS OF SONGWRITING WITH HOOK & NAIL AND LAST BIRDS?

LINDSAY + MIKE (OF LAST BIRDS): With Hook & Nail each member of the trio had a defined role in the songwriting and composition process. Lindsay was the primary lyricist. Mike was responsible for developing the chord progressions and basic musical structure while playing rhythm guitar. Our friend and bandmate, Jeff Michel, wrote the melodic leads and additional instrumentation. Jeff would also bring fully developed songs to the table and was the sound engineer for Hook & Nail’s album, “Ghosts of Taylorton”. Most of song themes with Hook & Nail were based on specific historical people, places and events of the Estevan area.

Last Birds was born when Lindsay started to develop her guitar skills, contributing more to the composition process. With Lindsay taking over the rhythm guitar role, Mike was able to play more lead guitar, developing his own unique rhythm/solo approach. As we wrote for Hook & Nail we had a growing collection of songs that didn’t fit the trio’s style. The songs focused more on first person experience with more emphasis on a woman’s perspective. The songs are based on our experiences as a married couple and our shared musical tastes. We felt strongly about developing our close harmony approach, choosing to sing most of our songs together with Lindsay taking the lead vocal role, making it more feasible for Mike to play more complicated guitar parts. Our guitar playing and vocal style are now so intertwined that it would be difficult to bring in a third creative party.

“FOCUSED MORE ON FIRST PERSON EXPERIENCE WITH MORE EMPHASIS ON A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE”

– LAST BIRDS

“Worry About It” by Last Birds

Video by Mike and Lindsay (of Last Birds)

“WORRY ABOUT IT” WAS RELEASED ON OCTOBER 16TH 2020.

THE SONG IS BEAUTIFULLY REAL. THE SONG SHINES A ‘LIGHT’ ON ANXIETY, DAY-TO-DAY THOUGHTS, AND HUMAN CONDITION. THE AVERAGE PERSON LISTENING TO “WORRY ABOUT IT” CAN RELATE TO SOME OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. TELL US WHAT INSPIRED YOUR SONGWRITING FOR “WORRY ABOUT IT” AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE THIS WAS YOUR FIRST SINGLE?

LINDSAY + MIKE (OF LAST BIRDS):Worry About It was written several years ago during the early days of Hook & Nail but didn’t work for the trio. So, the song sat on the shelf for a long time. When we decided to start a duo project, we unearthed Worry About It.

Maybe it’s the age we are at or the state of this poor world right now, but we have both experienced crushing anxiety over the past few years. Elections, economic slumps, parenting worries, conspiracy theories, health issues – you name it, we’ve seen it or experienced it. Sometimes the worst thing you face is the dark trick your mind plays on you. We feel so fortunate to have each other to lean on and trust during uncertain times. Worry About It is a love letter to those special people that look out for you, see when you are down, and reach out to help.

Being objective about your own songs is difficult. We didn’t set out with the plan to make Worry About It our debut single. However, when we were in the first recording session with our producer, Brad Prosko, and percussionist, Jayson Brinkworth, they showed a lot of enthusiasm for the song. That’s when we knew other people would connect with it.

Introducing the Newest Hard Seltzer Vizzy – Another Hard Seltzer? Yeah, but we’ve got superfruit acerola cherry. Vizzy provides a healthier alternative to traditional Hard Seltzers. Superfruit Acerola Cherry is an antioxidant and typically contains the highest amount of vitamin C compared to other fruits. Making Vizzy not only taste amazing, but you feel great consuming the refreshing beverage. Vizzy is new to Saskatoon and is exclusively available at local pubs and bars. Support your local restaurant before Vizzy is available at retail stores. Follow MolsonCoors306 to find out where you can find the new addition to their lineup!

Sparkling Hard Seltzer with Acerola Cherry – 5% alcohol, 140 calories, 2 carbs 0 grams of sugar (per 473ml can)

YOUR DEBUT EP RELEASES ON APRIL 16TH 2021.

YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT FOR SONG LONG. AS A HUSBAND/WIFE SONGWRITING TEAM, THIS MOMENT MUST FEEL SO OVERDUE AND SO SPECIAL. WHAT WAS THE PROCESS OF MAKING THIS EP HAPPEN?

LINDSAY + MIKE (OF LAST BIRDS):The process of making this EP started out simple enough. We recorded the guitar and percussion tracks at Touchwood Studios in Regina in February of 2020. Then the world turned upside down. The project was on hold for months. Touchwood Studios is located in a private residence so it was not possible to return to record the vocals. Finally in June we were able to continue recording by renting two adjoining hotel rooms at the Days Inn in Estevan, SK. Brad brought his portable recording rig and, by setting up a vocal booth for us in one room while he had his laptop in the other, we were able to finish recording. Once we found a way to work together safely, the process was actually very enjoyable. A hotel room is a comfortable space. We were able to relax and sing with a very clean bathroom and bed nearby.

Promoting a release during a pandemic has been a learning process. We have tackled live streams and home recording. We have produced our own videos and recorded performances for on-line showcases and television. As Last Birds, we have performed more for the camera than for people. We have been forced to learn new skills, which may serve us well in the future.

“CONTINUE RECORDING BY RENTING TWO ADJOINING HOTEL ROOMS”

– LAST BIRDS

Last Birds perform for the 2020 Saskatchewan Music Awards (start video at 19:34)

YOU WALKED INTO 2021 WITH AN AMAZING LIVE PERFORMANCE FOR THE SASKATCHEWAN MUSIC AWARDS.

NOW THAT THE DEBUT EP IS OUT IN THE WORLD, WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR THE REST OF 2021?

LINDSAY + MIKE (OF LAST BIRDS): In 2021 we will tentatively book and apply for what we can and accept what life throws our way. We will be releasing some live performance videos we recorded with Creative City Centre in Regina as well as some with SaskMusic and Creative Saskatchewan. We are using our time during this pandemic to write, and write, and write. We are already planning our next project, a full length album. There is a good chance that most of the recording will be done at home using the skills we have learned over the past year.

When the world is healthy again, we will hit the ground running – no , make that – singing and strumming! 

Last Birds perform “Worry About It” on Sasktel Max Live

April 23rd 2021 – EP Release Show at The Happy Nun Cafe (Night 1) – RSVP: here

April 24th 2021 – EP Release Show at The Happy Nun Cafe (Night 2) – RSVP: here

All photos inside article supplied by guest.

*hover over photo for issued credit.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT’S TO COME…