"Not in the concert, in the show. That's sort of a sacred environment between me and the audience; there [I don't feel exposed]. And on the record, no. But in talking about the record, I've never quite been here before. That kind of feels more like open season."

Ahead of a sold out show at First Avenue in support of his new album Are You Serious, Andrew Bird stopped by The Current to perform a stripped-down set live in-studio and to chat with host Mary Lucia.

Bird — who gravitates toward the kitchen when thinking creatively — says these days, writing is rarely a conscious effort. "All of my songs are personal, it's just a matter of how close to the surface those personal things are."

Though he lives in Los Angeles now, he feels most at home on his farm in Illinois. The most California thing he's ever done was try surfing – it wasn't for him. But Bird doesn't believe his relatively new environment affected Are You Serious. Whether it's hiking around Griffith Park or living amid the Midwest plains, Bird still soars despite writing in a vacuum.

Songs Performed

"Are You Serious"
"Roma Fade"
"Capsized"

All songs off Andrew Bird's album Are You Serious, out now via Loma Vista.

Hosted by Mary Lucia
Produced by Derrick Stevens
Engineered by Mike DeMark
Web feature by Leah Garaas
Visuals by Nate Ryan

Gallery

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