Birds Over Arkansas are an Americana Folk/Rock band that formed a decade ago after longtime friends, veteran musicians and sometime bandmates Scott Haskitt, Laura Hartshorn and John Mondick decided to feed a spark that lit almost accidentally. They had performed together and separately over the years in a number of cover bands and as supporting players for other people’s music. In 2011 they wrote some songs together and realized they had something special.
The band released their debut EP “Behind the Lights” in 2014 after adding drummer Ryan Berg (Strand of Oaks, Project/Object) and bassist Chico Huff (James Taylor, Carly Simon, David Crosby, Solas). Since then they have dropped a handful of singles. With members living in opposite states and everyone active in other projects, the group gets together to record when time allows. They recently delivered their first track since 2018, and it was worth the wait.
“Sunflower” is the latest single from Birds over Arkansas, released worldwide to all major streaming services on September 17, 2021. The beautiful production features an organic ensemble of guitar, mandolin, bass and drums. It’s a mostly acoustic recording, save for a very nice Country/Blues electric guitar solo in the bridge.
As the song progresses the arrangement becomes more complex. Although on the surface the track is a straightforward Americana tune, Birds Over Arkansas have a knack for sneaking in unexpected chord changes and mood breaks. By the last verse, beautiful layers of overlapping round-robin vocal harmonies lend a classic Fleetword Mac feel to this ode to summer’s tallest and most beautiful flower.
“Sunflower” is a tribute to summer and the life that flourishes in it.
Birds Over Arkansas
Check out the “Sunflower” lyric video below. You can also hear the song on the Deep Indie Songwriters playlist, or listen on your favorite streaming service. Follow the links below to connect with Birds over Arkansas. Get on their socials and stay in the loop on all of the music to come from this deeply talented group of musicians.
