Meg Baird

Meg Baird is an American musician based in San Francisco, California, who, in addition to her solo career, is known as a founding member and the lead female vocalist of Philadelphia psychedelic folk rock band Espers. Most recently, she became a founding member, lead vocalist, and drummer for Heron Oblivion, along with members from Assemble Head in Sunburst Sound and Comets on Fire.

Early life

Originally from New Jersey, US, Baird's family history is based in the folk tradition: Baird is the great-great niece of Isaac Garfield "I.G." Greer, a historian and Appalachian folk singer born in 1881.^[1] His inclusion on one of the earliest albums issued by the Archive of Folk Culture in the Library of Congress helped expose Baird to folk music at a young age, while she was taking piano lessons, teaching herself guitar, and listening to Smithsonian Folkways albums.^[2]

Music

While a member of Espers In 2007, Baird released her first solo album, Dear Companion, on the Drag City record label. Baird's second solo album, Seasons on Earth, was released in 2011 and received favorable reviews from The Wire, Allmusic, Spin and NPR.^[3][4][5][6]

Touring

As a solo artist, she has toured with many noted fingerstyle guitarists, including Bert Jansch,^[7] James Blackshaw, Micah Blue Smaldone, Michael Chapman, Glenn Jones, Michael Hurley, and Jack Rose.

Style and influences

Baird's vocal style has been compared to that of Fairport Convention's Sandy Denny and Pentangle's Jacqui McShee,^[8][9][10] Baird cited Celia Humphris of Trees as a member of the 1960s and 1970s British folk scene who is particularly influential upon her own music.

Collaborations

In 2014, Baird joined Heron Oblivion as lead vocalist and drummer. The supergroup includes Sauffley, Noel Van Harmonson (Comets on Fire), and Ethan Miller (Howlin Rain, Comets on Fire).^[11][12][13]

She also plays with sister Laura in The Baird Sisters and have released three full-length albums between 2003 and 2011. In 2013 The Baird Sisters joined Glenn Jones on My Garden State.

Between 2009 and 2012, Baird played drums for Philadelphia punk band Watery Love.^[14]

Discography

Meg Baird

• Waltze of the Tennis Players/Dear Companion (A Capella Version) 7" (2006) (Tequila Sunrise)
• Dear Companion CD/LP (2007) (Drag City/Wichita/P-Vine)
• Seasons on Earth CD/LP (2011) (Drag City)

The Baird Sisters

• At Home CD-R (2003) (self-released)
• Lonely Town CD (2008) (self-released)
• Until You Find Your Green LP, ed. 300 (2012) (Grapefruit)
• Glenn Jones / The Baird Sisters My Garden State CD/LP (2013) (Thrill Jockey)

Collaborations and backing vocals

• Meg Baird, Helena Espvall, Sharron Kraus, Leaves from Off the Tree CD/LP (2006) (Bo'Weavil)
• Bonny 'Prince' Billy - Ask Forgiveness CD/EP (2007) (Drag City)^[15]
• Sharon Van Etten - Epic CD/LP (2010) (Ba Da Bing!)
• Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring for My Halo CD/LP (2011) (Matador)
• Kurt Vile - Singles Going Home Alone#6 split 7" (2011) (Matador)

Watery Love

• Debut 45 7" (2009) (Richie)
• Two Thrills 7" (2011) (Negative Guest List/Little Big Chief)
• Die With Dignity 7" (2012) (Siltbreeze)

Compilations

• So Much Fire to Roast Human Flesh CD (2006) (Bastet)
• Loving Takes This Course: A Tribute to the Songs of Kath Bloom CD (2009) (Chapter Music)
• Meet the Philly Elite (with Jack Rose, Kurt Vile, and US Girls) 7" (2009) (Kraak)
• We are all one, In the Sun: A tribute to Robbie Basho CD/LP (2010) (Important Records)

References

External links

• Official website
• Drag City Records site
• The Baird Sisters official website
• Baird discusses new album Seasons on Earth