The Ragbirds

The Ragbirds
The Ragbirds are a folk group that began in Ypsilanti, Michigan and moved to neighboring Ann Arbor in 2007. The band began with vocalist and instrumentalist Erin Zindle and drummer Randall Moore. The group was later expanded to include bassist Jeff Stinson, guitarist and vocalist Adam Leabeaux, and percussionist Greg White. White left the group after a year to pursue a career in education and was replaced by Tim Dziekan, a student of Moore's. In April 2006 the sadness of the death of a good friend of the band and "merch girl" Lisa Radtke was followed by the happiness of Moore's marriage proposal to Zindle, and they were married a few months later. In the latter months of 2006, the group introduced Matthew Melody as the new guitarist/vocalist to replace Leabeaux who left to pursue another project. Most recently, Dan Hildebrandt has replaced Stinson on bass.

The Ragbirds make use of numerous traditional folk instruments, blending them with the modern to create an infectious world groove rooted in the traditions of many cultures and eras.The group has released three full-length albums and one single. "Yes Nearby" is the group's debut album and was released in April 2005.

Following Hurricane Katrina the group decided to record one of their popular songs often played live, "Washed Away" (formerly titled "Mangrove"). This recording was released as a single and a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Red Cross.

The group's second full-length album is "Catching Fire", a live recording made at T.C.'s Speakeasy in Yspilanti, Michigan on January 14, 2006 and is discontinued.

The Ragbirds' third full-length album is "Wanderlove" and was released in June 2007. It includes several songs that the band has been playing live regularly, some of which previously appeared on "Catching Fire".

The Ragbirds tour extensively in Michigan and Ohio as well as New York and other Midwestern states.

Discography

Yes Nearby

1 "Low Flying"
2 "Love's Great Joke"
3 "Narcissick"
4 "Picture"
5 "Tipi Baya"
6 "Door in the Wall"
7 "Totem Pole"
8 "Adoration"
9 "Enemy"
10 "Believe It"
11 "Holy Kiss"
12 "Wake the Birds"

Catching Fire

1 "Ypsilanti Song"
2 "Narcissick"
3 "Enemy"
4 "Jacky Tar/ The Right of Man"
5 "Medicine"
6 "Moribayassa"
7 "Door in the Wall"
8 "Tipi Baya"
9 "Tarantella"
10 "Religion"
11 "Harvest Song"
12 "Better"
13 "Onyame Kokroko"

Wanderlove

1 "Tarantella"
2 "Good"
3 "How Can I Say?"
4 "Medicine"
5 "Brave New Beat"
6 "Moon Miss Me"
7 "Religion"
8 "Ypsilanti Song"
9 "Space"
10 "Harvest"
11 "Hiding Place"
12 "Roar, Claw & Bite"

External links

* [http://www.theragbirds.com The Ragbirds official website]