272 | Andrew Bird on Discipline, Slow-Growth, Creation, and more
Sep 5, 2019
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Andrew Bird, a midwestern whistling musician, discusses his slow growth as a musician, his discipline and patience in building his career, and the importance of letting go and slowing down. He talks about his classical training in violin, breaking the rules to create his own style, and his latest album 'My Finest Work Yet' filled with smart lyrics and fresh melodies. They also discuss his songwriting, meeting his wife, parenting, and of course, whistling.
Andrew Bird emphasizes the value of slow growth and patience in building a successful career as a musician.
Bird discusses the importance of balancing personal life and artistic pursuits, highlighting the challenges and rewards of being a parent and artist.
Bird shares insights on the power of authenticity and vulnerability in creating music that resonates with audiences.
Deep dives
Finding Inspiration in Creativity and Songwriting
In this episode, songwriter and musician Andrew Bird discusses creative processes, songwriting, and his own experiences in the music industry. He shares insights about being gentler with oneself, embracing slow growth, and finding inspiration in unlikely places, such as while waiting for a plane. Bird also talks about his relationship with social media and the impact it has on creativity. Overall, the episode provides valuable perspectives on the intersection of art and activism, self-discipline, and the importance of staying true to oneself as an artist.
Personal Growth and Parenting
Bird reflects on personal growth and parenting, sharing how starting a family grounded him and forced him to prioritize his time and creativity. He discusses the challenges of balancing a passion for music with being present in his family life. Bird emphasizes the importance of creating a nurturing environment and valuing family connections, while also acknowledging the delicate balance of maintaining a strong sense of self as an artist and a parent.
Navigating Vulnerability and Insecurity
Bird opens up about his experiences with vulnerability and insecurity, both in his personal life and his career. He talks about the pressures and expectations that come with being a public figure and performer. Bird shares his perspective on the importance of authenticity in his music, allowing his weirdness and eccentric impulses to shine through. He reflects on the challenges of navigating criticism and self-doubt, and the importance of finding a balance between being true to oneself and connecting with an audience.
Reflections on Art and Activism
Bird delves into the topic of art and activism, discussing the role of artists in shaping culture and creating change. He shares his thoughts on the power of music to convey messages and bring people together. Bird also explores the influence of historical events, such as the Spanish Civil War, on his songwriting and the importance of learning from the past to stay united in the face of potential threats to democracy.
Personal Insights and Reflections
Throughout the episode, Bird offers personal insights and reflections on various aspects of his life and career. He shares tidbits about his creative process, the significance of certain songs, and his continuous exploration of different genres and musical styles. Bird also touches on his fascination with jazz and his ongoing journey of self-discovery as a musician, constantly striving to challenge himself and push the boundaries of his art.
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.