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The Ragbirds Return To Athens
By: Mitchell Kinnen
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The Ragbirds, a world-fusion-folk-rock group from Ann Arbor, Mich., will make a stop at Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery on Thursday, March 29.
Led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Erin Zindle, The Ragbirds offer a wide variety of musical styles, as displayed on their new album Travelin' Machine.
The Buffalo, N.Y., native credits artists such as Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel for some of the more exotic elements in The Ragbirds' arsenal of sounds.
"They brought these world music sounds into my mainstream suburban Buffalo world," she said.
Since 2005, the band has been cultivating their own unique sounds, blending traditional folk instruments with world music grooves.
"I had all these songs," said Zindle. "I knew I needed to get them down on a recording. I was really passionate about that."
Joining together with friends and fellow musicians, the band was born. They've kept busy the past seven years, playing as many as 200 shows a year and honing their sound. Zindle feels the "folk-rock aesthetic" roots their sound and guides their musical journey.
"I try not to try too hard at the world music influence," she said. "Little by little, over the years, I’ve been listening to, studying and performing all these different world music styles. I love to be able to travel with my music."
The Ragbirds are currently touring the midwest, playing dates in Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. Zindle thinks the band's travels are a direct influence on the creative process.
"There are a lot of really beautiful and really difficult things we’ve been able to experience on the road," she said. "Our songwriting over the years has reflected that."
Thursday's show time is 10 p.m. Visit www.theragbirds.com for more information.