Tag Archives: virgin of the birds

Album Review: Virgin of the Birds – Numberless Needs

Virgin of the Birds returns to Seattle for their first Pacific Northwest show of 2019 at the Conor Byrne on May 11, joined by The Foghorns (also playing their first show of 2019) and Sam Russell’s new old-soul band Doug … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 53 Songs: Virgin of the Birds – “The Earth Won’t Die, We Will”

Sometime around the release of Ball of Wax 38: Songs of Protest, I began referring to the genre Virgin of the Birds occupies and has mastered as “Wiki Rock.” This is due to the large number and wide range of … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 52 Songs: Virgin of the Birds – “I Fought a Turk”

Virgin of the Birds‘ “I Fought a Turk” makes its entrance on simple piano chords and quite possibly the gentlest strum ever put to record. The I-V progression in D Major is one the most-used in popular music; having 12 … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 51 Songs: Virgin of the Birds – “Laura and Jennifer, Bright in Some Soft Sky”

It’s a semi-sunny sunday Seattle afternoon in February and the piano slowly plays its themes in the background. There are celestial keyboard-sounding chords fading in and out. I’m half conscious, like the music that plays. I’m reflective. It’s as if … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 48: Virgin of the Birds – “Maintenant Blanchissant les Rayons”

The thing I like most about this song is the arrangement and instrumentation. Virgin of the Birds‘ Jon Rooney has an uncanny sense of balance that shines through in this reflective addition to Ball of Wax 48. His approach is … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 47 Songs: Virgin of the Birds – “Henry Kissinger Is A War Criminal”

“He will die free and we’ll let him.” This is as much a protest song against others’ actions as it is a protest against our own failings which let others actions win out. This song implicates Henry Kissinger as well … Continue reading

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Album Review: Virgin of the Birds – Secret Kids (Ball of Wax Midwives a Lit-rock Masterpiece)

Virgin of the Birds – Secret Kids (2016, Abandoned Love/Song, by Toad) I. Virgin of the Birds is celebrating the release of a uniquely outstanding record October 22, 2016 at Substation. Secret Kids, the band’s sophomore LP (out today), is … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 45 Songs: Virgin of the Birds/Matthew Brown/Duodenum

Virgin of the Birds sings a pointed question in his “Condemned Stages Become Stellar,” with well-delivered words, consonants, timing, and delivery that make you ponder while listening to beautiful light doodles on the electric guitar floated above rhythmic strumming and … Continue reading

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Ball of Wax 44 Songs: Virgin of the Birds – Cardinal Points

At this point in Ball of Wax 44 we’ve strayed into some pretty strange territory, pushing at the outer limits of what you might call music. Jon Rooney/Virgin of the Birds’ a capella version of “Cardinal Points” takes us some … Continue reading

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Dad on the Road: An Interview with Jon Rooney

This Ball of Wax thing has been fascinating over the years I’ve been involved. One key figure in the shaping of this project has been Jon Rooney, who matched wit and energy with Levi Fuller to grow the presence of … Continue reading

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