I feel alright, but these times are bad..

Tyler berd + Anastasia Wright release “Oh My Stars” (Michael Hurley) September 24

Last summer my friend Anastasia (Soft Bones) stopped in to visit my wife and I in Portland, OR. Michael Hurley had died a few months before, and a few months before that my wife and I had literally sat at his feet while he played one of his final shows at Laurelthirst. He was accompanied by Lewi Longmire, a hotshot guitarist and one of the owners of Laurelthirst. Before Michael got there we overheard Lewi, a little put-out, explaining that Michael’s car had run out of gas and he had to walk with his instruments, and at 83, and without a cell phone. Lewi said working with Michael set you up for “a lot of 1970s problems.”

So Anastasia and I paid a little tribute, singing Michael’s most tender and openhearted composition. We performed it at Laurelthirst’s famous Sunday night open Mic and recorded it at my kitchen table. Much like the original, and in the longstanding tradition of duets going back to Louis and Ella, my rough and reedy voice is paired with Anastasia’s aching and pristine harmonies.

Any funds (after fees) from selling the song on bandcamp will go directly to the National Immigrant Justice Center, and start populating on digital platforms, Thursday, September 24.

I’m in LA until Saturday playing a few more shows of my california tour, flyers below.

“Oh My Stars”

Credits

Written by Michael Hurley
Performed by Tyler berd + Anastasia Wright
Mix and Master by Matt Freake
Cover Art by Natalie Kovalcik
Video by Anastasia Wright
Coloring and live video by Joe Olmstead

Tyler berd

Tyler Berd sings seasick folk songs across a miniature nylon string guitar. His music is surreal and conversational, direct and rambling. He first scared up regional noise around Boston with the frenetic live performances of his band Bellwire, whom Dig Boston called "quick-witted, wordy, power pop akin to Elvis Costello or early-day Pavement."

"Crafty inventive songs infused with humor, wit and absurdity" - La Crosse Tribune

"Troubadour folk meets introspective bedroom pop in a collision of styles and expectations." - Independent Clauses