272 | Andrew Bird on Discipline, Slow-Growth, Creation, and more

Andrew Bird has been a musician I’ve been aware of forever. Everyone I knew loved him so through peer pressure I started to listen to him too. Soon I too, became a fan of the midwestern, whistling musician. I love how distinctive and intentional he his with his music and lyrics. In this episode, he talks about the slow growth he had coming up as a musician, his discipline and patience in building his career, and how letting go, slowing down, and taking a break was really what actually helped him move forward. He started playing violin at four, using the Suzuki method. This classical training required strict adherence to rules--rules he ended up breaking to create his own signature style. He’s extremely prolific, he’s released 15 albums in the past 13 years. My Finest Work Yetis his latest album, is my favorite one yet, it’s filled with smart lyrics, including mythology--which we talk about in this episode, as well as fresh melodies, probing themes, and of course whistling. Andrew Bird and I sat down at the Emerge Music Festival to talk about his song-writing, how he met his wife, what his life is like now, what he learns from parenting his son, and of course whistling.

Show Notes

-His newest album: My Finest Work Yet

• Listen to his latest single Sisyphus

-His interview on Sam Jones Podcast

-Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

-The Adventures of Augie March by Deckle Edge

-Lester Young (Jazz Musician)

Likes & Learns

-Traveling, saying yes to things outside of your comfort zone, leaning into friends

-Lean into it or lean out of it, commit way or the other

If You Liked This Episode

-Episode 270 with Yoke Lore

-Episode 137 with Josh Radnor

-Episode 258 with Jon Marrow