When it comes to good next-door neighbors,
a few generalizations might be made. For example, on certain occasions
they are not unknown to appear at your doorstep with an empty measuring
cup in hand, warmly inquiring whether you, by any chance, have any
sugar to spare. At other times they might wave politely as you coast
up your street, or feed your pets, or even take temporary custody
of your undeliverable packages. If the folks next door, however,
should ever decide to start a band, the odds that their home will
emanate anything other than mosh metal, Jimmy Buffet covers or any
combination thereof are decidedly low. That is, of course, unless
you’ve ever had the opportunity—such as I did a few
months back—to live twenty feet away from the Ypsilanti-based
Ragbirds’ practice space.
In the mere 365-or-so days that have passed since the quintet first
assembled, The Ragbirds have successfully engrained themselves into
the local scene by gracing many a Michigander with their remarkably
captivating hybrid of world music and folk. And with the band’s
organic melodies and exceptionally tight execution, it’s no
surprise they’ve managed to turn more than a few heads.
“I think it’s really important for local bands to help
each other and work together rather than compete,” explains
Ragbird Randall Moore, placidly leaning in his chair and all but
ignoring his decreasingly warm beverage. He and singer/multi-instrumentalist
Erin Zindle—27 and 26, respectively—are arguably the
band’s strongest creative influences and certainly their directors
on the business end. They’ve met my girlfriend and I at a
local coffee shop and, being the genuinely kind souls they are,
flat-out insisted on buying our drinks. Zindle, a full-time music
instructor with over 50 clients and a musician since childhood,
nods approvingly as Moore—her significant other for a couple
years running—explains that the thing he loves most about
music is its transformative quality: that is, it’s ability
to positively affect the mood of the listener.
He relates the tale of a gig the band played recently in Zindle’s
original hometown of Buffalo, New York, where they were greeted
by a less-than-enthusiastic club owner who scoffed and rolled her
eyes when Moore asked her for a glass of water. By the conclusion
of the band’s vibrant set, the woman had apparently changed
her ways and transformed into an honest-to-god sunbeam.
“That was one of the most powerful affirmations for us,”
says Moore. “By playing we can actually change how a person
feels. Even if you make no money, there’s almost something
far more invaluable about that.”
It’s not just surly bartenders who dig on the birds, either.
John P. Law tips his hat in their general direction as well. According
to Moore, an officer who visited the band’s practice space
equipped with nothing but a nightstick and a noise complaint let
the band off easy and said, “If you’re going to make
noise, this is cool noise to make.” Eat your heart out, Ice-T.
Perhaps the most noteworthy mention of all is the Ragbirds’
independently released debut album Yes, Nearby. A finely captured
bit of music, the record beams with harmonic life as keys and a
catalog of stringed instruments flirt with Zindle’s beautifully
sung and astutely written lyrics. “Narcissick,” a swampy
reggae jam, bobs along as Zindle softly sings, “The radio
played that sad song twice tonight at least, and I have a hard time
believing it has nothing to do with me.” The songs here have
as much range as they do depth, too, with the full collection spanning
numerous musical genres with amazing accuracy and apparent ease.
“Totem Pole” is a hypnotic, percussive romp that, like
its proceeding “Adoration,” sounds authentically Middle
Eastern. “Low Flying,” the record’s introductory
track, stirs with patient mandolin and pensive words (“Tell
all the low flying birds who scrape their feathers on the pavement
I’m coming down to join them”), and the playful whistles
and drums of “Wake the Birds” wrap things up on a decidedly
upbeat note.
“I think true musicians don’t know what to do but play
music,” shares Moore toward the end of our interview, after
alluding to the band’s recent appearance on Mitch Albom’s
radio show and their slew of upcoming performances. He wraps up
the promising situation presently facing The Ragbirds rather eloquently.
“We’ve been blessed,” he says. “And we’ve
worked our asses off.”
The Ragbirds play Rootstand’s record release party at the
Blind Pig on Friday, October 7 (208 S. First, Ann Arbor). The band
will also play a Halloween costume party at TC’s Speakeasy
(207 W. Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti) on October 28.
|
|
