On their website, Futurebirds describe their music as “something worth playing on the porch swing over an ice-cold beer.” Although it may be a bit too cold this time of year to enjoy music on the porch swing (at least in Indiana), the laidback feel of Futurebirds’ sound is undeniable and would be no less appropriate to hear while sitting in a nice comfy chair by a calm fire. The six man country/folk band hail from Athens, Georgia, a city that cherishes its rich and diverse music history and has produced a good number of notable artists in the last few decades such as R.E.M., Neutral Milk Hotel, and Of Montreal. It’s obvious that their home has had an effect on their sound, but they acknowledge it, embrace it, and use it to write wonderfully mellow music.

The first featured video, “Ski Chalet,” is a song off their 2010 release Hampton’s Lullaby. The other two videos are cover songs that Futurebirds have nearly made their own; “I Found a Reason” by the Velvet Underground and “Tracks of My Tears” by Smokey Robinson. All three songs are slow-paced, but they have a brightness that comes from the vocal harmonies and backup vocals as well as the full sound of six instruments working together.

MP3 Session Downloads :

The Futurebirds - Ski Chalet
The Futurebirds - Tracks Of My Tears (Smokey Robinson cover)
The Futurebirds - I Found A Reason (Velvet Underground cover)

Recorded and Mixed by Corey Barnes at Lovebird Recording
Filmed and Edited by Doug Fellegy
Words by Gerard Pannekoek