For Brooklyn based songwriter and vocalist Beth Wawerna, the path to the stage was not assured. While the Altanta rasied musician had early exposure to both songwriting luminaries such as Elvis Costello and Southern Indie icons such as R.E.M, Wawerna wrote for years perfecting her craft. It took the journalist encouragement from well-established friends such as Timothy Bracy (ex-Mendoza Line) to finally form a group and bring the songs to light. The culmination of the effort is Defender, the debut record from her group Bird of Youth. The band combines the guitar-driven pop sounds of 90s rock with Wawerna’s clever lyrics and authoritative delivery. Produced by Will Sheff of Okkervil River and Phil Palazzolo (The New Pornographers, Ted Leo, Neko Case), Defender was recorded with the help of a cast of players that includes members of The Wrens, Nada Surf, The National, Okkervil River and the Mendoza Line. Following a home town record release show on June 9th at The Rock Shop in Brooklyn, Bird Of Youth join Kathryn Calder of The New Pornographers for east coast dates. – Jason Bertone (photo by A Horse With No Name)
