BURBANK, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Warner Bros. Records) British-born singer and songwriter Birdy, who has been thrilling fans across the Atlantic with her richly compelling voice, will release her self-titled debut album in the U.S. mid March. The album features the 15-year-old singer and songwriter's soulful and sophisticated take on songs by
Bon Iver (first single "
Skinny Love"), The xx (second U.K. single "
Shelter"), Fleet Foxes, The National, Phoenix, The Postal Service, and veteran troubadour
James Taylor ("Fire and Rain"). The album was recorded in London and Los Angeles with producers Rich Costey (Muse, TV On The Radio),
James Ford (Arctic Monkeys, The Klaxons), and Jim Abbiss (Adele, Arctic Monkeys.)
Propelled by "Skinny Love" (and its haunting video directed by Sophie Mueller, which has racked up more than 18 million views on YouTube), Birdy shot to No. 13 in the U.K. upon its release in November 2011, achieved Silver certification, and earned raves from critics. Here's what some of them had to say:
"It marries the kind of bare-bones honesty of Adele with a surprisingly knowing voice." - Vogue (U.S.)
"Whether it be her heart-stopping renditions of emotionally hefty songs by such artists as Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes, or her own impressively mature compositions - both are characterized by a grace, beauty and poise it's hard to believe could come from a slight shy teen." - The Sun (U.K.)
"Birdy is a prodigy who makes Joss Stone look like a later starter. At 15, she has a voice of astonishing richness and plays piano with the aplomb of a concert hall crowd pleaser." - Evening Standard (U.K.)
"With a voice that manages to sound both extraordinarily pure and world-wearily reigned, Birdy has the potential to be that surprisingly rare thing, a singer who does so much more than merely sing... Watch this one." - Sunday Times (U.K.)
The daughter of a classically trained concert pianist mother, Birdy (born Jasmine van den Bogaerde in Lymington, England) began singing as a child and playing piano at age 7. At the age of 12, Birdy won a UK song-writing competition which led to her publishing deal with WMUK Chairman Christian Tattersfield and she subsequently obtained a recording deal with Atlantic UK on the back of her independent release of her version of the track "Skinny Love" on iTunes. Last year, after BBC's Radio 1 added "Skinny Love" to its playlist, the song became Birdy's first hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 17. Both "Skinny Love" and "Shelter" have been featured in episodes of The Vampire Diaries.
Track Listing:
1901 (Phoenix)
Skinny Love (Bon Iver)
People Help The People (Cherry Ghost)
White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes)
Distric Sleeps Alone Tonight (The Postal Service)
Never Forget You (Francis and the Lights)
Young Blood (Naked and Famous)
Shelter (The xx)
Fire & Rain (James Taylor)
Without a Word (Jasmine van den Bogaerde, aka Birdy)
Terrible Love (The National)
Watch the video for "Skinny Love" here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNzCDt2eidg
