One of the best things about being one of the hosts of The Merry Andrews Show is having the opportunity to introduce listeners to new music—- but being introduced to new music by my fellow co-hosts is the real treat. For the hour that we record the show we get to not only play the role of “host” but also the role of “listener” as we all surprise each other with our music choices.
On Episode 8 Ashley featured Mystical by Philadelphia based goddess, Birdie Busch, and I was hooked. She is the perfect combination of Ingrid Michaelson, Feist, and Jaymay mixed with some sprinkles and home made whipped cream.
Recently, Ashley asked Birdie about her influences and she explained, “I guess it would be best to say that ‘the time’ I spent with my grandmother was a huge influence. When I began to hang with her more on a regular basis only then did I start to realize and open myself to the art of true chillin’.” She went on to say, “Not necessarily the chillin’ you think with a beer and a beach but more like sitting by the kitchen window so you could look at the leaves outside. Since my grandmother was quite old and immobile when I came to develop this friendship we would spend a lot of time in seats and I started to have to think of life as something I wasn’t going towards but something that was right there with me. She’d show me old photos, or we’d organize her handkerchief drawer, which was pretty impressive.” Birdie continued, “I cherished the importance of bringing joy and peace to someone who very simply adored the friendship. There was a moment where I realized she could very well spend her last years alone on a couch watching TV and I wasn’t going to allow that to happen to her. I really believe the best songs come from just letting life in at all sides and then the thoughts, stories, and songs come along like gifts.”
Coming up on Episode 18 Ashley will feature Huff Singers, but only listen if: you are not lame, you enjoy dancing, and you are a sucker for clapping.
Click play to listen to Mystical.
Birdie Busch on MySpace.
This article appears in May 13-19, 2009.