Maygen & The Birdwatcher Look to Expand their Horizons with Leap Year
The year 2024 represents a milestone for Minneapolis-based progressive folk group, Maygen & The Birdwatcher—a year of expanding horizons and growth as a band. Fittingly, early August saw the release of the band’s newest EP, entitled Leap Year. As the title suggests, the effort represents the pushing of boundries as they explore songs with a deeper, perhaps more personal meaning than prior offerings. As they describe it, Leap Year may also envision a calm before the next storm.
The songwriting and tunes of Maygen & The Birdwatcher fall within a sweet spot among musical genres. Artfully balanced country, folk, blues, and bluegrass influences bring the band squarely within the realm of Americana.
During the past five years that the band has performed together, Maygen & the Birdwatcher has racked up several significant accomplishments and accolades. Their 2021 debut album, Moonshine, earned them Midwest Country Music Organization Awards for Album of the Year and Americana Artist of the Year. These were followed up with 2023 Midwest CMO awards for Entertainer of the Year and Video of the Year. They have toured extensively throughout the Midwest with multiple appearances at Blue Ox Music Festival and others and sharing stages with Old Crow Medicine Show, Grace Potter, Paul Cauthen, and Travis Tritt.
The singer-songwriting talents behind Maygen & The Birdwatcher are Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann. All songs on Leap Year were co-written by them except for “Old Dreams,” which was co-written by Julia Garrison Starr and Maia Sharp.
The source of half of the band’s name is self-evident, while the other half is attributable to Noah Neumann’s bird watching avocation.
Leap Year offers up 6 songs, some of which were released as singles earlier this year. Lacey and Neumann trade off lead vocals on the songs, as well as joining together with smoothly lilting harmonies. Rounding out the performers on the EP are Peter Anderson (drums, percussion), Nik Pellinen (lap steel, banjo), Jesse Moravec (mandolin, backing vocals), and Evin Haukos (fiddle). Erik Koskinen’s bass and drums can be heard on “Won’t Have You.” Bassist Chase Rabideau also performs with the band.
“Right Where You Belong” leads off the album. Inspired by a YouTube channel called “Soft White Underbelly,” the song highlights the plight of our populations that are often overlooked and largely invisible to society. Per Lacey, the song is a gentle reminder that everyone deserves a place of safety, peace and comfort.
“Full Moons/Leap Year Sessions” and “Antidote/Leap Year Sessions” are reimagined versions of songs appearing on the band’s debut release, Moonshine. As Lacey states:“Noah and I wanted to re-release these two tracks in a more stripped-down style, really emphasizing the acoustic renditions and harmonies in its purest musical arrangements.”
“Jericho” intends to look at the world through the eyes of the Midwestern farm kid, including all the trials and tibulations of farm life. Of all the songs on the album, the chorus “Oh lord I’m lost in Jericho,” will most likely remain in your mind and continue to be hummed.
The rich vocals of Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann weave effortlessly and seamlessly throughout each of the songs. Each of their bandmates provide wonderfully distinct contributions that combine to add a full sonic tapestry supporting the lyrics.
“Won’t Have You” starts as a softly whispered ballad with Lacey’s calm and soothing vocals, followed by Neumann’s vocal. The song then crescendos with beautifully blended harmonies.
To me, “Antidote” feels like the sweetest and most heartfelt offering on Leap Year. The recrafting of the song from the original version on Moonshine focuses on a piano track with the effect of highlighting the celestial theme underlying much of the band’s work. And Lacey’s vocals are simply beautiful.
Leap Year was produced by Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann. The EP was recorded at Real-Phonic Records in Cleveland, Minnesota. Renowned Midwest singer-songwriter Erik Koskinen engineered and edited the EP. Mixing and mastering were accomplished by Wes Koz and Kristpoher “KJ” Johnson, respectfully.
Maygen & The Birdwatcher describe the release of Leap Year as a breath and a pause before embarking on the next chapter of their musical journey later this year. Listening to Leap Year, we can all be excited to see what that next chapter brings for this incredibly talented band!
Check out the band’s website for news and tour information: http://www.maygenandthebirdwatcher.com
Credits: Promotional shots—Wolfskull Creative for promotional shots; Album artwork—Alexis Politz; Blue Ox Music Festival 2022 shots—Brooke Billick; Blue Ox Music Festval 2024 shot—Blue Ox.