BIRD STREETS

John Brodeur

t took a long time for Brooklyn musician John Brodeur to find himself. After releasing several little-heard solo albums, Brodeur first imagined Bird Streets as a live band in 2016 before taking the moniker as a de facto nom de guerre with the release of the self-titled 2018 LP. And that’s when things clicked.

“I used to write about finding ways out of the darkness,” says Brodeur. “Now I’m more interested in exploring and creating a map of that place. In some ways, adopting the Bird Streets name allowed me to write more openly about myself.”

The sound of Bird Streets, recorded in collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Jason Falkner (Beck, Daniel Johnston), was both fresh and familiar–a dynamic collection of introspective indie-rock and power-pop that drew liberally on the music of decades past without being bluntly nostalgic, with Brodeur’s voice like an old friend you’re meeting for the first time. 

The record earned the attention of NPR Music, which featured Bird Streets in their Slingshot program spotlighting emerging artists. “Brodeur’s attention to craft stands above all,” wrote AllMusic, while Albumism hailed the record as “a contemporary masterpiece that conjures indie rock’s glory days.” 

Singles “Direction” and “Betting On The Sun” received nationwide airplay on tastemaker radio stations KCRW, WXPN, WFUV, and WEQX, and on syndicated programs like World Cafe. A non-album track, the groovy “Come On,” came next in 2019, followed by the Bandcamp-only EP Ghosts in March 2020. 

Brodeur is currently preparing a new Bird Streets album featuring production by Patrick Sansone (Wilco) and Michael Lockwood (Aimee Mann), due for release in late 2022.

As a live act, Brodeur and Bird Streets have recorded sessions for Daytrotter and BreakThru Radio, and toured with an eclectic mix of artists including Juliana Hatfield, Alana Davis, Royston Langdon (Spacehog) and They Might Be Giants.

MICHAEL LOCKWOOD

Lo-Fi For Your Hi-Fi

Producer/guitarist, Michael Lockwood, became involved with music from a young age. His professional career started in the 1980’s with Lions & Ghosts. The band signed to EMI America and released two critically acclaimed albums before disbanding.

In the 1990’s, Lockwood would spend his time working with a slew of incredible artists including Grammy award winning artist, Aimee Mann, who he would spend the better part of a decade producing and recording with, including work on albums, TV, and film (“Magnolia”). Lockwood would also work with two other Grammy award winning artists in Fiona Apple and Carly Simon, as well as the Bangles’ hitmaking vocalist, Susanna Hoffs, to name a few. His production and guitar work would continue into the 2000’s with Mann as well as others.

In recent years, Lockwood has spent more time focusing his efforts on producing and recording. If you open your iPhone and make Memories or Clips, you will see him listed there as an artist. He also completed his first-ever soundtrack for the release of the movie "As the Village Sleeps."

In 2022, Lockwood would form Sparkle Plenty Records, with his manager, Jeff Keller. The label would then partner with Deko Entertainment (ADA/Warner Brothers). Sparkle Plenty would go on to sign one of Lockwood’s production artists, Bird Streets. Throughout 2022 the label will be releasing a collection of singles produced by Lockwood working with different featured artists. The label will also release a full-length album from Bird Streets in late 2022.