Bowerbirds

Bowerbirds are an American folk band from Raleigh, North Carolina, active from 2006. The group consists of Phil Moore, Beth Tacular and Mark Paulson. Their line-up is given as Moore on vocals and guitar, Tacular on accordion and vocals, and Paulson on violin and vocals. Their sound is identified with folk rock and indie folk, and they are also associated with folk, indie folk, indie and freak folk.

Recording and releases

The band’s debut album, Hymns for a Dark Horse, appears in 2007 and is released on Burly Time Records. It is followed by Upper Air in 2009 and The Clearing in 2012. After The Clearing, the group does not release material for several years, then issues a series of digital singles in 2020 that are collected on Endless Chase: 20 Singles, followed by becalmyounglovers in 2021.

Band context

The first two albums are recorded quickly and on limited resources, while The Clearing is made with more time and better resources and has a larger sound, broader scope and more complex songs. Between 2009 and 2012, Beth Tacular is seriously ill and spends time in hospital. During the same period, Tacular and Phil Moore end their long relationship and later resume it. The songs from this period reflect a return to their cabin in the woods of North Carolina, where they live, make art and write songs.