Andrew Bird & The Hands of Glory, Luke Temple

Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Andrew Bird picked up his first violin at the age of four and spent his formative years soaking up classical repertoire completely by ear. As a teen Bird became interested in a variety of styles including early jazz, country blues and folk music, synthesizing them into his unique brand of pop. Since beginning his recording career in1997 he has released 11 albums and played thousands of shows. Bird has gone on to record with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and festivals worldwide. Recently Bird composed his first ever film score for the movie Norman (hailed as “a probing, thoughtful score” by The New York Times), contributed to the soundtrack of The Muppets and collaborated with inventor Ian Schneller on Sonic Arboretum, an installation that debuted at New York’s Guggenheim Museum and exhibited at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. In 2012, he released two albums, Break It Yourself, and Hands of Glory, an acoustic companion album. He’s recently been performing with Tift Merritt, developing a children’s TV show, and writing for his next album.  http://www.pulaskiatnight.andrewbird.net/

Originally from Cape Anne, Massachusetts, Luke Temple moved to the North West, sleeping rough in the woods, working in a candy store and as a janitor at a suburban mall. All of his aimlessness lasted a year and half. He enrolled in school of the Museum of Fine Arts and spent five years painting portraits, after which Luke moved to New York. As painting drifted from the foreground, songs started to emerge. After recording two critically acclaimed albums to little commercial reception, Luke was at the point of quitting a career in music. In 2008, feeling free in his new state, he made what would become the first Here We Go Magic album, forming the band and releasing the self-titled debut in 2009. Luke kept busy touring and recording two more full lengths and an EP. Since Here We Go Magic’s 2012 release, the Nigel Gordich-produced “A Different Ship,” Luke has returned to his original solo ideas. http://westernvinyl.com/artists/luketemple.html