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Moonbird

by Kirsty Almeida

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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £7 GBP  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Moonbird is a collection of Kirsty's story-telling songs and compositions. Mixed by five time Grammy winner Jerry Boys (Toumani Diabaté/Buena Vista Social Club) and mastered by genius engineer Greg Calbi (Norah Jones/David Bowie) Moonbird is Kirsty's most intimate work to date.

    Filled with incredible musicians including the Amika String Quartet, Kora wizard John Haycock, of course featuring The Troubadours who've played on her first two solo albums.

    Moonbird, the album, is wrapped up in an eco-CD case with non-toxic inks and an eco-cardboard case, including a 16 page booklet and is available now for pre-order and will be released on 02.02.2020.

    The cd artwork, designed by Canadian artist Lindsay Kokoska is also featured in various poster prints sold separately as album merchandise with a very special one - 'Moonbird' - the Print which features Kirsty's whole album's lyrics on the reverse.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Moonbird via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more
    ships out within 2 days

      £10 GBP or more 

     

  • Poster/Print + Digital Album

    'Moonbird, I've heard, you hold the password to make the moon glow'

    Beautiful collaborative print by Canadian artist Lindsay Kokoska and Gibraltarian folk singer & songwriter Kirsty Almeida. Printed by Oxford fine art printers on a hand-picked by kirsty Albrecht Durer fine art quality paper.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Moonbird via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 5 days

      £79 GBP or more 

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 12 Kirsty Almeida releases available on Bandcamp and save 15%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Pomona, Moonbird, Dance With Me, You'll Find Your Way, DéjàVoodu, Winter Songs, Cool Down Rewind, If You Can't Make Me Happy, and 4 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      £35.28 GBP or more (15% OFF)

     

1.
The Fire 03:17
2.
Dance with me into the night Dance with me wrapped up in light Dance with me till it all goes away Dance with me under the stars Dance with me on top of the cars Till it all starts to fray Dance with me right through the fires Dance with me of our desires Till we both fade away Dance with me Dance with me Dance with me Dance with me Dance with me Dance with me Dance with me till it’s all over tired and sober till it all starts to fray Dance with me Dance with me (repeat) Till it all turns to dust Dance with me till its all over Dance with me tired and sober Dance with me Dance with me Dance with me Dance with me I am Love fold into space tired old lace till it all blurs to rust starlit and braven faced with the Raven I am Peace I am fear I am freedom I am truth I am light I am joy And I need is in me
3.
Josie Brown 05:18
4.
5.
The Stranger 04:02
6.
Moonbird 07:21
7.
8.
9.

about

Singer-songwriter Kirsty Almeida releases Moonbird — her first studio album since 2014’s Déjàvoodu — on 02.02.2020, courtesy of her co-owned independent label, All Made Up Records.

Currently based in the North of England, the Gibraltarian returns with new creative vigour following a short recording hiatus, which saw her devoting time to her young family. Influenced by the experience of motherhood, an innate love of storytelling and affinity with the natural world, Almeida’s ten-song collection exhibits accomplished songcraft, rich arrangements and exquisite production.

Recorded between a variety of studios, including John Ellis’ Limefield studio, 80 Hertz, Pinhole Sound and Low Four Studios at Manchester’s Old Granada studios, the album sees the former Decca artist enlisting the services of GRAMMY award-winning engineers Jerry Boys and Greg Calbi to record, mix and master the LP.

‘This album debuts the real me,’ Almeida states, ‘the gentle warrior, the artist, the wizard, the child, the girl, the woman, the mother, the lover, the broken, the found and the rebirthed.’

Title track Moonbird uncovers psychedelia within a serene soundscape, while I’m Going to Love You encapsulates the sound of the New Orleans saloon or Hootenanny celebration. Josie Brown, a blue but uplifting first-person account of an elderly childhood mentor, captures the warmth of Kirsty’s voice and guitar playing, embellished with dustings of acoustic piano and delicately-placed strings, elevating the humble song to glorious heights. Hearing it for the first time, musician and producer Martin Glover, aka. Youth, commented: ‘If that’s a true story you’re a very good songwriter and if it’s not, you’re a f**king genius.’

Kirsty’s love of 18th and 19th century parlour guitars also informs her songwriting. Instruments crafted for women that reflect femininity, they lend what Kirsty terms an ‘indescribable magic’ to songs like You Make My Heart. Parlour guitars aren’t the only captivating stringed instruments in use, however, as John Haycock’s West African kora adds light, regal melodies to the subtly arranged Step into the Light.

‘I am so thankful to the musicians who made this album with me,’ Almeida professes. ‘They poured their beautiful musicality into the album and helped me build my wings with their encouragement. I am more me than I ever have been and this album is my most honest offering to date.’

The singer who gave the world a wondrous collection of winter songs here eschews the darkness of wintertide, bringing light and positivity to the fore. ‘I feel like the last five years of my life was a journey into the darkest places in me’ Kirsty explains, ‘bringing light to the most painful places I never even knew existed ‘til post nap depression and PTSD cracked me open, so I could become the best version of me. Now, I’m healthier and happier than I ever was before and I have such a new appreciation of music and my relationship with it.’ Almeida returns an artist reborn, creating her finest work to date.

credits

released February 2, 2020

PRESS HIGHLIGHTS

“Captivates you immediately, it’s absolutely gorgeous!”
Janice Long, BBC Wales - Jan 2020

“Hypnotic and heart-skipping” Acoustic Magazine - Jan 2020

★★★★ “a sophisticated collection of songs” Rock 'n' Reel Magazine- Jan 2020

“Almeida's voice is indeed one of unquestionable beauty - perfect control, and harbouring a just-below-the-surface sense of fire and passion.”
Fatea Records Magazine - Jan 2020

PERSONNEL

Kirsty Almeida – vocals, parlor guitar
Matt Owens – bass
John Ellis – piano, backing vocals
Richard Wetherall – piano
Tom Briggs – guitar, backing vocals
Billy Buckley – guitar, lap steel guitar
Rick Weedon – drums, percussion
Bryan Hargreaves – drums, percussion
Liam Bradley - percussion 
John Haycock – kora
Simmy Singh – violin
Laura Senior – violin
Lucy Nolan – viola
Peggy Nolan – cello
Doz Milner-Edwards – backing vocals
Martin Connor – backing vocals
Atholl Ransome – saxophone, flute
Malcolm Strachan – trumpet

ALBUM CREDITS

Strings arranged by Kirsty Almeida and Matt Owens, except Into The Light arranged by Kirsty Almeida 

Produced by Kirsty Almeida and Matt Owens

Josie Brown produced by Bill Leader

Mixed by Jerry Boys

Mastered by Greg Calbi

Recorded by John Ellis at Limefield Studios, Manchester

Dance With Me & I’m Going To Love You recorded by Lee Ashton at Low Four, Granada Studios, Manchester 

Into the Light, additional vocals and strings recorded by George Atkins and team at 80 Hertz Studios, Manchester

Strings on The Stranger and You Make My Heart recorded by Mark Lewis at The Edge Theatre, Manchester

Parlor guitar on Ode To A Parlor Guitar recorded by Martin Hannah, in Terry Britten’s studio, London 

Additional vocals, percussion and brass recorded by Adam Gorman at Pinhole Sound Studio, Manchester

Additional vocals and guitars recorded by Andy Fletcher at Manchester Music Box

Additional vocals recorded by Matt Owens at Tealby Studios, Manchester

Cover photo Jill Furmanovski 

Artwork - Lindsay Kokoska

Graphics - Caroline Sheehan



Artist’s website: www.kirstyalmeida.co.uk

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Kirsty Almeida Hebden Bridge, UK

World folk singer-songwriter Kirsty Almeida was raised in Gibraltar and now lives in the magical hills of Hebden Bridge in the North of England. Her career reflects the sanctity and magic of art and self-expression. Her mature song-craft, comforting vocals and attention to every creative detail shines through. Her new intro track after a break to become a mama is called 'You'll Find Your Way.' ... more

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