Paul Simon, Mad Sheer Khan, U2, Ani DiFranco, Indigo Girls, Rusted Root, REM, Grateful Dead, Mickey Hart's Planet Drum, Ali Farka Toure, Nickel Creek - Ireland, Africa, South America, Gypsy songs from all four directions. . . . . Rumi, Hafiz, Rilke, songs are poems after all. . .
Sounds Like
hopefully none of the above, and not like anyone else either. . .
We sound like new.
We sound like us.
PRESS QUOTES
"The most engaging new band I've heard this year is The Ragbirds....eclectic, restlessly creative, poetic, and delivered with confidence, it grows on you with every listen."
-Jeffery Overstreet, Looking Closer (Seattle)
"This is evidence of the very best of what independent contemporary pop music has to offer"
-Thom Jurek, All Music (AMG)
"The Ragbirds have gestated a sound and experience so unlike anything you've seen in these parts, you may begin to wonder if you've teleported to another land"
-Cheryl Wilson, The Uncommon Sense Magazine
"I feel like I've stumbled across a band that's destined to achieve the same level of cult-greatness as The Innocence Mission, Bruce Cockburn, Ron Sexsmith, Sufjan Stevens, and yes, even Over the Rhine.... The Ragbirds debut album, Yes Nearby, is a work of astounding international eclecticism, mixing everything from reggae to Celtic to blues music along with plenty of world music into a unified, enchanting whole"
-Josh Hurst, Revealarts
"In an era of catchy but ultimately unsatisfying pop tunes, this is a welcome treat!"
-Roger Lelievre, The Ann Arbor News
"The first time I heard them play I was stunned....I heard their music and literally stopped in my tracks. Their music is not only inspiring and powerful, but a successful experiment in teleportation as well"
-Jamie Bradish, The Ypsilanti Courier
"Like a well-worn suitcase covered with travel stickers of world-music styles"
-Alan Goldsmith, The Ann Arbor Observer
READ MORE PRESS ON WWW.THERAGBIRDS.COM
The Ragbirds Ringtones for your cell phone free!! Click the link to send to your cell phone, no hassle, totally free!
"Tipi Baya" Ringtone: Click to send to your phone! "Believe It" Ringtone: Click to send to your phone! "Good" Ringtone:Click to send to your phone!
Band Bio The Ragbirds began in 2005 with songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Erin Zindle and world percussionist Randall Moore in their search to create fresh, original songs sprouting out of their common love for world music and their desire to weave these distant sounds into more familiar genres. With the addition of guitarist/vocalist Matthew Melody, bassist Dan Hildebrandt, and percussionist Tim Dziekan, who share the vision of creating honest, creative, and original music combining these global and local elements, The Ragbirds fully realized their unique sound.
In late 2005 The Ragbirds released their debut CD, Yes Nearby, an independent, full-length album consisting of 12 well-crafted songs. After receiving scores of critical acclaim for Yes Nearby, the band hit the road that summer and has been touring all over the country ever since. In June, 2007 the band released its second studio release, Wanderlove, which has a world travel theme with a pop appeal and was called “Highly Impressive” by USA TODAY.
Led by the energetic and fiery front woman and songwriter Erin Zindle, who skillfully switches between violin, mandolin, banjo, accordion, and percussion, in addition to singing lead vocals (all while dancing!) The Ragbirds musical roots are firmly embedded in the soil of rhythm, ancient and new, incorporating Americana, Gypsy, Celtic, and Latin influences with drums from all over the world, mixing African poly-rhythms and Afro-Cuban tumbao, over sometimes rock, hip-hop or reggae style drum-kit, all designed to get people both listening and up and dancing!
In live performances the band incorporates variations on traditional African drum pieces, each member trading their instrument for a nearby hand drums. The band has a strong belief in the lyricism of poetry and positive music, and the power of dance-able rhythm.
Described as “Astounding International Eclecticism!” by Reveal Arts Magazine, The Ragbirds are one of the most touring popular bands in their home state of Michigan, and can also be seen performing all over the mid-west and beyond, growing a loyal fan base in cities and towns all over the country. One of the hardest working bands to come out of Michigan in years, The Ragbirds have averaged well over 200 shows per year for the past two years, and show no signs of slowing down. The Ragbirds have performed to enthusiastic audiences in 13 states, including major markets such as New York City, Nashville, Chicago, Denver, Cleveland, St. Louis, Indianapolis, and many, many, more, and have been featured at some of the mid-west’s largest music festivals. They have shared the stage with Tony Rice, Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna), Iris Dement, Alvin Youngblood Heart, Donna The Buffalo, Tea Leaf Green, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Mamadou Diabate, New Monsoon, The Duhks, Jeff Daniels, Wookiefoot, and many, many more.
Discography
2007 Wanderlove
2006 Catching Fire (recorded live in Ypsilanti)
2005 Yes Nearby
2005 Washed Away (single, profits donated to Red Cross Hurricane Relief Fund)
Absolutely LOVE your music!! Thanks for adding us as your new friend! Stop in sometime give us a listen and say hello. Your new friends Christine, Grace, Andy & Bree
nice.. i love the track with Tim.. maybe next year both of ya'll's bands will dip a little further south.. like to central mo. would love to book you guys down here! sparkle plenty!! ~w
