Virgin of the Birds

Named after a poor English translation of a Salvador Dali painting, Virgin of the Birds treads a line between intimate, lo-fi pop and the occasional grandeur of early art rock. Songwriter Jon Rooney has written, recorded and performed as Virgin of the Birds in both solo and band configurations, releasing two LPs on Scotland's Song, By Toad Records along with several EPs and appearing on numerous compilations.

Upon its release, Virgin of the Birds 2016 LP <a href="spotify:album:4Fc7ds3DXIKaPCsCqqG3Mx" data-name="Secret Kids">Secret Kids</a> was described by AmericanaUK as &quot;a marvelous record from beginning to end.&quot; and Shindig Magazine called out &quot;deft lyrics coming on like the product of a latter-day Lawrence from Felt …beguiling, hypnotic and, yes, literate.&quot; Whisperin&#39; and Hollerin&#39; declared: &quot;these are songs that invite reverie and revelry; tunes to be devoured whole then savoured individually.&quot;

About 2014&#39;s <a href="spotify:album:3B4kuI0pnYn0GD4jKtDcnW" data-name="Winter Seeds">Winter Seeds</a>, the Herald Scotland noted &quot;…the reined-in performances and simplicity of the songs training the focus on an uncommon grasp of adroit, heartfelt songcraft that sets Rooney on track to follow the likes of Bill Callahan and David Berman into the pantheon of awkward, visionary American outsiders. Essential.&quot;