Dave's Music #96 MorningBird - Cosmic Escape
Today's Thursday release is from a band that I met at the Moccasin Creek Fest, though they weren't listed on the performer list. They came as a backup duo for Charlie Roth that he called Range Wheelers, but their band name is MorningBird. I didn't find a lot about them except what was on their website:
MorningBird is singer-songwriter Rob Wheeler and violinist Jill Burkes, both from the Hibbing area. Burkes started off playing Finnish folk music on the violin when she was a child, and then moved into more classically trained music. Wheeler has played guitar since he was a teenager, beginning with heavy metal riffs, but he expanded into old country music and eventually all genres.
A native of Hibbing, Minn., Jill was 8 years old when she began learning the Susuki violin method and performing Finnish folk music across the globe. She enjoys weaving her heritage and gypsy vibe to play live shows with musicians in the region, whether playing violin, guitar, or singing vocals. She joined the band Big Waves and Bonfires, an Americana group from Virginia, Minn. in 2017, and performed on their album, "Belly of A Whale." She also collaborated with Christopher David Hanson for his album, "In the Distance," in 2019, as well as Karl Sundquist’s solo album, "Goodnight Sun," in 2020.
After spending his youth moving around Minnesota, Rob, an accomplished performer who plays harmonica and guitar, joined bands Gypsy Prophets and Hobo Revival before planting some roots down in Hibbing. In 2008, he went on to start the band The Wheeler Dealer and recorded "Side of the Road," delivering his fans 13 original tracks of stories from his travels, heartaches, and triumphs.
The two harmonize together on classic folk covers and originals. Last year they recorded the EP Cosmic Escape at Birch Bay Studios with Christopher David Hanson. This summer they are embarking on a new project with St. Cloud musician Charlie Roth in which they will be his backup band, the Range Wheelers.
To select what release to highlight is always a challenge, here's a few things that go through my mind:
1) Is it on Bandcamp? I love the way they allow you to listen to a whole song, but encourage buying music. While I never have gotten the notice, I believe most artist use their default of letting you listen to the song three times before asking you to buy it.
2) Have I been listening to it? Yes with so much music some songs within releases that I've bought in the last year have not been played yet. Sad, but I'd buy them again.
3) Do I feel a connection to the artist? Yep I'm not in this blog to pick the biggest names unless they are new to me. While it is not required, Jill and I have become digital friends since the fest after they fumbled getting me a hard copy of their cd. So I bought it... ha. Plus my Bohemian blood identifies with their gypsy influences.
Ok some might think too that I'm more into short EP's to give me less to write about but I swear I'm not THAT lazy. 5 song EPs sometimes are just right to get the meaning of an artist across. (Kind of makes for a lousy vinyl though.)
1) This Moment
I'm a sucker for a story, Rob draws you in until the chorus when the chorus comes in telling this might be your last moment. Jill accentuates the soundtrack with excellent violin work. Don't worry they make it to the next song, and the next gig.
