It was hot, too hot to film outside, and getting hotter in the apartment.  But there we were with The Wooden Birds, setting up on the couch where label-mate David Bazan had just sat a few days before to also escape the heat.  The band set up and practiced a bit, while Matt Pond kept everyone entertained with his quips about the heat.

We were happy to invite them in for the afternoon; they’d first made our ears happy with their laid back album of smooth folk tunes, Magnolia, back in 2009.  Andrew Kenny, late of American Analog Set, sang songs of loneliness and haunting, with the help of a laundry list of friends, including Ben Gibbard.  It was certainly a good beginning for Kenny’s new band.  We were happy to record the album closer, Bad, when they stopped by.

Then, last summer, they released a new batch of songs, Two Matchsticks, with the increased presence of Matt Pond and Leslie Sisson.  As others have noticed, their strong backing (and with Leslie taking lead on a few tunes) is a welcomed slight transformation of the band.  You’ll hear Leslie take lead vocals here on Too Pretty to Say Please, and overall, they sound fuller than their first effort.  They played through the heat like champions, the melodies making us all forget our surroundings.

And just like that, we were done.  We said our goodbyes and the band headed off into the sunlight.

The Wooden Birds are off the road for now.  But, if you have a free couple of minutes, check out their funny tour diary from last year, and anticipate their return.

First up, Bad:

Next, Too Pretty to Say Please:

Finally, Two Matchsticks:

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