Photo courtesy of thebridgesmusic.net
My friend Natalie has a keen ear for new generation girl-fronted bands that, let’s just say, I lack. Yes, I’m a huge fan of the “Wall of Sound”, 60s girl-group sound and have a pretty unhealthy fascination with British soul singers Amy Winehouse and Adele. I’m a life-long disciple of Sonic Youth and blasted The Donnas a few too many times for my little sister’s comfort in high school. This only goes to a certain extent. I’m not to world’s biggest fan of newer “girl” bands. Yes, I owned Tragic Kingdom in sixth grade, but AGAIN, I digress. Natalie introduced me to The Bridges on one of our long drives to somewhere and ever since, I have been in love. Then, I’m driving for another friend Lauren to Nashville and the exact same Bridges’ music takes front and center in the CD player! I’d been listening to nothing but Neko Case during both road trip instances for a good three months and The Bridges were actually a very natural transition. Their sound is so reverberatingly good and the harmonies feel like home. Maybe because it IS home for them.
According to the band’s bio, “The group, whose members range in age from 18 to 24, consists of siblings Natalie Byrd (piano and guitar), Stacey Byrd (guitar), Isaaca Byrd (bass) and Jeremy Byrd (drums), and cousin Brittany Painter, who provides hauntingly expressive lead vocals and plays acoustic guitar.” It goes on to say that “tight-knit chemistry is apparent throughout” their album Limits of the Sky (available on iTunes). I couldn’t have said it better myself.
So, here you go.. the questions gathered from some loyal Birmingham fans get answered in a sweet and charming style. They were very very gracious about answering the questions. So much so that I listed the band as a whole in the responses because they all seem to come to an agreement with the answers. Guess that family dynamic really is working in their favor! Click below to see my convo with the Bridges.
WHITNEY: How does the creative process work for a band that includes members of the same family?
THE BRIDGES: We all add to the songs and write together. It just depends on who’s writing and who’s in the band room at the moment. Our band room is conveniently located beside both of our rooms and we all eventually drift in there and write. So that’s a plus about sharing the same house and being together all the time.
WHITNEY: Are there are ever times that being family is a hindrance to your working relationship?
THE BRIDGES: It’s all we really know, so we don’t know how to compare it to any other scenario. We all know how to push each other in a negative and positive way so it works for and against us. Most the time for us. But if you put anyone in a van for 2 months together there is going to be some tension and arguing but it’s mostly petty things.
WHITNEY: How would you describe having an apartment in the midst of the California wildfires?
THE BRIDGES: Ha, that was exciting and surreal at the time. It was kinda scary because we weren’t familiar with serious brush fires where we live. So, we saw first hand how quickly it spreads and how devastating it
can be! Fortunately, no one was hurt but that was a crazy little time for sure!
WHITNEY: What does it feel like to be a band from Alabama now working with
artists like Matthew Sweet and Rooney?
THE BRIDGES: It’s kind of awesome! When it happens, when things actually work out, you’re like, “Really?! People that we like like our stuff? AND want to work with us??” It’s just fun and encouraging to know a time when you looked up to them and now you’re working with them and doing music with them! Like I said, it’s kinda just awesome.
WHITNEY: How have your harmonies and musical inclinations changed from the
band’s beginning in 2003?
THE BRIDGES: Well, we have pretty much stayed true to how we arranged things in 2003. We now have an extra vocalist (Isaaca) so that has changed up some stuff. Plus, we are always listening to new things and being influenced by other musicians, so hopefully we can work that in to our stuff without altering the band’s sound or ripping off another band.
WHITNEY: Is there a message that any of you have for your fans back home?
THE BRIDGES: Sure! (It’s probably mostly for family and church folk) but we miss you and think of you all the time! And when we’re not thinking of you, we’re talking about you . Thanks for the support y’all are awesome!
WHITNEY: Finally, did you guys have anything special planned for when you played your big Atlanta show?
THE BRIDGES: We usually don’t plan stuff, but I’m sure we can think of something now though. It’ll either be spontaneous or really rehearsed…We’d be happy to do something fun with dear ol’ Matthew. You guys should hit him up! Tell him we’re interested!
And there you go. Thanks to Carrie in NYC and The Bridges for the delightful answers. The band has an October tour and came home to play WorkPlay last week on Halloween!
Tags: alabama, atlanta, birmingham, Face to Face, family bands, matthew sweet, oxford, rooney, the bridges
My apologies to you, fair consumers. I bought the last copy of The Bridges’ “Limits of the Sky” from the Best Buy in Alabaster. It is fantastic. Fans of their first two EPs will be in for some remastered treats, like “One I Love,” as well as some new faves, such as “Blue.”
It’s amazing to hear the words “Best Buy” and “Alabaster” in the same sentence; when I was growing up in Alabaster, the only way that would happen would be in the sentence, “I just got back from Best Buy in Hoover before driving all the way back to Alabaster; boy it sure does suck living in Alabaster, huh?”.