Andrew Bird Debuts New Song MANIFEST

Andrew Bird unveils his new song "Manifest" today-listen/watch Bird and his band here.

Of the song Bird says, "'Manifest' traces our evolution from single celled organisms to modern man-then takes it further, post-mortem, to when a plant or animal becomes a fossil fuel fracked from the ground and released into the atmosphere from combustion engines like ghosts. The after-life of energy."

Bird is set to perform songs from the new album at this year's SXSW, including a performance at the festival's largestOutdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake on Saturday, March 16-full details here. Bird will also host a special episode of hisLive From The Great Room series with special guests at The Line Hotel on Thursday, March 14, the first time the series will be performed in front of a live audience.

"Manifest" is the latest release from Bird's forthcoming album, My Finest Work Yet, dueMarch 22 on Loma Vista. Preorder the album here. The album is receiving early critical praise with NPR naming single "Sisyphus" one of the best of January, while the A.V. Club proclaims that Bird's vocals are "expansive, so as to hold our collective anger and optimism."

In celebration of the album release, Bird will perform a series of special, select shows atLargo in Los Angeles, Green Mill in Chicago and National Sawdust in New York. See below for the full details.

My Finest Work Yet was recorded live to tape at Barefoot Studios in Los Angeles, CA. Bird and band went for that Rudy Van Gelder jazz room sound where the instruments bleed in to all the mics in just the right way. Piano plays a strong role on these songs and most of the melodies are tinged with a gospel-jazz-60s soul feel while the lyrics are direct and risk-taking, cutting to the quick of what's happening in our world. Bird was joined on the album by producer Paul Butler, Tyler Chester on piano and organs, Madison Cunningham on vocals, Alan Hampton on bass, Blake Mills on guitar, Ted Poor on drums, plus Abraham Rounds on drums and Mike Viola on guitar on "Archipelago."

The album also includes previous single "Bloodless," which debuted in November along with the track's official music video (directed by Matthew Daniel Siskin).

ANDREW BIRD LIVE

March 7 Los Angeles, CA Largo

March 8 Los Angeles, CA Largo

March 14 Austin, TX The Line Hotel

March 16 Austin, TX Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake

March 21 Los Angeles, CA Largo

April 2 Chicago, IL Green Mill

April 3 Chicago, IL Green Mill

April 8 New York, NY National Sawdust
April 9 New York, NY National Sawdust

Andrew Bird by Amanda Demme