On Saturday, February 21st, Chicago promoters Harmonica Dunn hosted a music festival in multiple venues across the city. On this frigid winter evening, I was fortunate enough to make it to The Beat Kitchen for Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds. The last couple years, the band has grown immeasurably and they are continuing to blossoming into something larger than themselves. In the windy city, SS&TDB put on an impressive performance for a nearly sold-out crowd.
The group’s artistry was magnified most by Front-women Arleigh Kincheloe (Sister Sparrow). She is a sultry powerhouse that commands your full attention. Overall, I found myself mesmerized by her stage presence and inspired by her attitude. She is a high octane performer with a tremendous voice, one that is seemingly too big for such a small gal. Her talented vocal abilities are amplified even more when she is accompanied by the rich, smooth sounds created by her full band (The Dirty Birds). The show was stellar and I was glad I had the chance to see the birds take off.
This dynamic, 7-piece group is truly captivating live. When the ‘Dirty Birds’ began to spread their wings, I was quickly sucked into their raw, dirty, soulful blues rock music. They rocked hard, sounded impeccable and the band’s energy was infectious. SS&TDB packed in two stunning sets, both loaded with stylish original material, highlighting the group’s firm songwriting abilities. As they played, It was hard not to notice how precise and passionate every member of the group was. The variety of tones and sounds got deeper and more unique with the addition of Dan Boyden’s punchy percussion, Josh Myers’ gooey bass-lines and the 2-piece horn section (Phil Rodriguez – Trumpet, Brian Graham – Saxophone).
Often times throughout the night, Jackson Kincheloe stole the show with his amped up Harmonica. By utilizing a tube-amp and other FX, he generated a wide range of sounds, adding color with blues infused organ-harp-strings sounds and synth-y textures. Guitarist Sasha Brown smacked us with wild, intricate guitar riffs, shredded heavily enough to melt our faces off. Together, the band put on a polished performance, that tickled my ears, and kept the entire crowd engaged.
By combining a fresh mix of music, spunk, and wisdom into every live show, it is easy to see why Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds are gaining recognition. They are currently on tour and on May 19th, the band will officially release their 4th album called “The Weather Below.“
Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds
