Wallis Bird
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Wallis Bird | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wallis Bird |
| Also known as | Wallisimo |
| Born | 29 January 1982 |
| Origin | Meath originally, before moving to Wexford |
| Genre(s) | Folk, Rockabilly, Acoustic |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 2005 - present |
| Label(s) | Bird Records/Island Records (2006-present) |
| Website | Wallis Bird's official website |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Guitar | |
Wallis Bird (born January 29, 1982 in Wexford) is an Irish musician. She lives and works in Mannheim, London and Dublin.
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[edit] Biography
The first time Wallis Bird came into touch with music, was when she was six months old and she got her first guitar from her father. Born left-handed, after losing 5 fingers in a lawnmower accident (and having four sewn back on again) on her left hand, she became used to playing a right-handed guitar upside-down, which adds up to her unconventional style of playing. She went to school in Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy, where she studied music and played at every school function during her time there.
After school Wallis moved to the Irish capital of Dublin to study songwriting at Ballyfermot Rock School. It was here that she met fellow band member Aoife o Sullivan.During that time she kept on playing in small clubs or pubs as well as on major festivals. She moved to Germany for an exchange program in 2005. Prolonging her Germany trip she met other musicians and formed a new supporting band. After concerts in Berlin, London, Frankfurt and Mannheim she decided to stay for a semester at a music college in Mannheim, where she lived for a year and a half.
[edit] Music
Bird is often compared to famous singer-songwriters like Ani DiFranco, Fiona Apple or the young Janis Joplin. In her songs she fuses elements of traditional folk music, blues and funk with an energetic handmade rock sound. Her exceptional voice allows for an already huge repertoire from soft folk ballads to rousing power songs.
Accompanied by her band colleagues, the brothers Christian and Michael Vinne and Aóife O'Sullivan, she is touring through Europe. In April 2006 her debuting EP "Branches Untangle" was released both in the UK and Germany by her own label "Bird Records".
In October 2006 Wallis signed a worldwide recording contract with "Island Records Group UK". A second EP Moodsets was released for download on July 30, 2007 with her debut album Spoons following on 18 September 2007 in Germany. In the UK, her debut single, "Blossoms in the Street" was released on 15 October 2007, with Spoons following 22 October 2007.
In February 2008 Wallis toured the UK as support act for soul star Gabrielle along with Billy Bragg. A second single, "Counting to Sleep" is due in March 2008.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Physical releases
[edit] Albums
- "Spoons", 2007
[edit] EPs
- "Branches Untangle" (6 track EP), Bird Records, 2006
- "Moodsets EP", 2006
[edit] Singles
- "Blossoms in the Street", 15 October 2007
- "Counting to Sleep", 10 March 2008
[edit] Download-only releases
- "The Circle EP" (Germany only)
[edit] Concerts (sel.)
- 2006: Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Worms, Baden-Baden (all: Germany)
- 2005: Berlin, Frankfurt, Mannheim, Hammelburg (all: Germany), Budapest, (Hungary), Roermond (Netherlands), Dublin, London
