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Artist You Should Know: Birdy
Only ever growing in popularity lately, Birdy seems to have hit big in Europe with increasingly good versions of cover songs. Born in ’96, the young star was first recognized after performing on Open Mic UK in 2008, only 4 years after discovering her own talent for songwriting.
Born Jasmine van den Bogaerde, Birdy became an overnight sensation after ‘Skinny Love,’ a Bon Iver cover, was selected by Radio 1 DJ’s as record of the week. Entering into the British charts at 17, and topping charts in the Netherlands, Birdy steadily continued a successful path within the music industry with her latest achievement being a contribution to The Hunger Games soundtrack. Her hand-picked and well crafted selection of covers from alternative artists such as The XX and Ed Sheeran, express her qualities as well as her singing abilities radiantly. ‘Skinny Love’ truly captures the listener form the beginning, engulfing them with emotion until the end with the use of her soft and melodic vocals.
Another cover I cannot find fault with is ‘Young Blood,’ originally written and performed by The Naked and Famous. Even though the original is an all time personal favorite, Birdy communicates the lyrics in a different way by using a totally different approach to the tempo as well as limited use of instrumentals. Enabling us to appreciate one song on multiple levels is achieved through this 16 year olds unshakeable talent.
‘People Help the People’ is also a song with sincere depth, and Birdy’s poignant voice brings underlying messages to life without sounding like she’s trying too hard. Adding her own vibe to already genius songs doesn’t seem to take away from their originality but only communicates her personality and flair to an audience who is destined to hear more of her songwriting skills in the not too distant future.
It can be difficult to find a well tuned, sensitive and soothing voice, but with the effective use of a piano as the sole instrument in many of her songs, Birdy can quite literally chill her audience to the core. And in a good way.