Bird automatic

Infobox musical artist
Name = Bird Automatic


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Flagicon|AUS Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genre = Indie pop
Label = Independent
Years_active = 2006 - present
URL = [http://www.myspace.com/birdautomatic Myspace]
Current_members = Chris Bradstreet
Christopher Toole
John-Henry Pajak
Simon Hamblin
Alex Sholler

Bird Automatic are an Australian alternative indie-pop five-piece band based in Sydney.Bird Automatic consists of Chris Bradstreet (guitar/vocals), Chris Toole (guitar/backing vocals), Alex Sholler (bass guitar), Simon Hamblin (synthesizer) and John-Henry Pajak (drums).

Biography

The band formed in late 2006, based around Bradstreet [cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/newmusic/bird-automatic |title=New Bands: Bird Automatic|publisher=NME|accessdate=2008-10-07] , who after producing some of his own demos was urged to form a band and offered management by a friend.

"I knew Simon (Hamblin) first, he actually wanted to be the band’s manager - he was the one that said I should get a band together" - Bradstreetcite web|url=http://www.wirelessbollinger.com/content/view/1621/84/ |title=10 bands to watch: Bird Automatic|publisher=Wireless Bollinger|last=Mendelovitis|first=Thomas|date=2008-08-17|accessdate=2008-10-07]

Bradstreet then approached Chris Toole, a high school friend of his, who then encouraged Zeyd Naito and John-Henry Pajak to join.

"After that, we were looking for a keyboard player, so we just told Simon to get a keyboard and he started playing with us" - Bradstreet

The band played it's first show in November of that year at Candy's Apartment, Kings Cross.

2007 saw Bird Automatic emerge as a prominent band in the Sydney music scene.Touring support slots for bands such as Shout Out Louds, [Review on [http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/livereviews/sydney/shout_out_louds_manning_bar_sydney_university The Dwarf] . Retrieved on 2008-07-27.] Art Brut [Review on [http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/11710/Art-Brut-Baseball-Bird-Automatic-The-Factory-Theatre-Sydney-161207.htm?city=2 FasterLouder] 2007-12-18. Retrieved on 2008-07-27.] and 1990s helped the band extend its fan base to a wider audience across the east coast of Australia, including interstate tours to Brisbane and Melbourne.

During the same year Bird Automatic played at their first festival, Playground Weekender, alongside many bands including The Dears, Elbow, Chk Chk Chk (!!!), fellow Australian band The Presets and Cut Off Your Hands. [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/7941/Playground-weekender-second-lineup-announced.htm |title=Playground weekender second line-up announced |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au |date=2007-02-21 |accessdate=2008-10-07] [cite web|url=http://www.inthemix.com.au/news/aust/31087/Set_times_for_Playground_Weekender|title=Set times for Playground Weekender |publisher=In The Mix.com.au |date=2007-02-27 |accessdate=2008-10-07]

2008 has seen the band develop its catalogue with the emergence of their first self titled independent EP release.

Track Listing:

# "Suburbs"
# "Can't Sleep"
# "Everything In An Instant"
# "Comforably Optimistic"
# "Hemispheres"

The EP has received acclaim across many internet music blog sites and the band have been described as 'on the brink of something big'. [ [http://openyoureyestomusic.blogspot.com/search/label/Album%20Reviews Open Your Eyes Blogspot] .Retrieved on 2008-07-27.] The band has also been receiving a high level of radio play on both local Sydney radio station FBi Radio 94.5FM and the national Australian broadcaster Triple J. [cite web|url=http://www.jplay.com.au/JSite/ViewArtist.aspx?ArtistID=4062 |title=Bird Automatic@J Play |publihser=J Play|accessdate=2008-10-07] They are featured as an 'Emerging Artist' on the Triple J website [See [http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/listen/mp3s.htm Triple J New Music Podcast] .Retrieved on 2008-07-24.] and are The Unearthed [ [http://www.triplejunearthed.com Triple J Unearthed] .Retrieved on 2008-07-27.] Feature Artists of August 2nd 2008.

2008 saw the departure of member Zeyd Naito (Bassist), who played his last show as a member of Bird Automatic at their sold out EP launch at Spectrum, Sydney.

Members

Touring

Played at the first Playground Weekender Festival with bands such as Chk Chk Chk (!!!), Elbow and The Dears.
Toured with fellow Australian indie band The Seabellies in late 2007.
Toured with Shout Out Louds on their second tour of Australia in August 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/content/view/5087/82/ |title=Shout Out Louds/Iron On/The Bird Automatic|publisher=Rave Magazine|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2008-10-08]
Supported UK indie band 1990s in September 2007.
Supported UK indie outfit Art Brut in December 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/11710/Art-Brut-Baseball-Bird-Automatic-The-Factory-Theatre-Sydney-161207.htm |title=Art Brut, Baseball & Bird Automatic @The Factory Theatre, Sydney |publisher=FasterLouder.com.au |date=2007-12-18|accessdate=2008-10-07]

References