Josh Jensen’s ‘Birdhouse’: The Anthem for the Perpetually Chill

09/09/2024 136 23 5

Let me tell you something: Seattle-based singer-songwriter Josh Jensen has been around the musical block. You know, the kind of guy who probably jammed with a guitar on his lap before he could even walk. And now? He’s giving us Birdhouse, a song that can only be described as the soundtrack for that ideal end of summer that never actually happens. You know the one – where you imagine yourself grooving in the sun, but in reality, it’s that Josh Jensen Birdhouse vibe while you’re stuck in traffic with melted ice cream dripping down your hand.

Josh Jensen’s Americana Roots: From Country Tunes to Punk Vibes

Raised on a steady diet of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Charley Pride in the charmingly dry, desolate lands of eastern Washington, Josh cut his teeth on country music that, let’s be honest, was probably best enjoyed with a strong drink in hand. And before long, he was entertaining his family with his cousins. Because when you’re a kid in rural Washington, your options are either join a band or… join a band. His skill set eventually evolved into creating songs like Josh Jensen’s Birdhouse.

Where Folk Meets Groove: *Birdhouse* Takes Flight

But here’s where things get interesting. This thing might look like another boy-meets-guitar story. But Jensen’s musical evolution is as twisted as Seattle’s weather forecasts. In 2000, he found himself at The Dutchman studio recording a pop-punk album. Yes, that’s right. Our folk-turned-funk-prog hero dabbled in the fine art of teenage angst, courtesy of producer Gary Mula, who also worked with the ever-so-slightly more polished Damien Jurado. Imagine a punk-rock Jensen: spiky hair, aggressive chord progressions, and maybe, just maybe, the faint whiff of too much AXE body spray. Yet, none of that could have predicted the formation of Josh Jensen’s new Birdhouse track.

The Perfect End Of Summer Jam

But that phase didn’t last. By the time he hit college, Jensen had formed Cadre, a funk-prog band that would eventually give birth to Sweet Beets, Bellingham’s answer to “what if your favorite jam band actually knew how to play?” Somewhere between all those funk breakdowns and acoustic folk interludes, the guitar became Jensen’s weapon of choice. He went full “Seattle,” blending folk, 90s grunge, and, of course, the ever-popular “I live in my own head” alternative rock. This unique blend beautifully influences the vibe of the new Birdhouse by Josh Jensen.

Behind the Music: Three Candid Moments with Josh Jensen

Fast forward through the black hole of a decade that is the 2010s, and here we are. The pandemic locked most of us down, turning the world into a Netflix-induced haze of sourdough starters and existential dread. But Josh Jensen? He decided it was the perfect time to record an album in his basement because when life gives you global chaos, why not make music? Enter Moon Time, his 2022 album, which featured guest appearances from his 3-year-old daughter, Coralie. Cute, right? But make no mistake – this wasn’t a lullaby album. Moon Time was the product of countless sleepless nights and even more cups of coffee. Or whiskey. Who’s to say? This relentless drive paved the way for his work on Josh Jensen’s Birdhouse.

Birdhouse: Acoustic Folk Meets R&B with a Laid-Back Groove

Now, back to Birdhouse. Recorded at the studio of Seattle’s very own Luke Rain, this track has everything: mandolin by Matthew O’Toole, sax by Alex Capron, trombone by Evan Earhart, and drums by Rain himself. Jensen’s smooth-as-butter vocals glide over this eclectic mix, creating something that almost makes you want to dance. Or at least sway from side to side with mild enthusiasm. It’s a danceable end-of-summer jam, but let’s be real. It’s also a poetic ode to a birdhouse, and not just any birdhouse. But one dreamed up from a poem Jensen wrote back in 2005. Because why let an old poem gather dust when you can turn it into a full-blown summer anthem? That’s the charm of the Josh Jensen Birdhouse experience.

https://open.spotify.com/track/1oieIhgiUZ8WDZzschTYRb?si=17a356140a6a4815

Press Play and Let Birdhouse Lift You Into Chill Vibes

So, what’s Birdhouse really about? Well, I’d like to tell you it’s a deep, existential metaphor for life in the modern world. But more than likely, it’s just a good excuse to get some friends together, throw in a horn section, and make something fun. Isn’t that what summer jams are all about? And for those wondering, that’s exactly what makes Josh Jensen Birdhouse special.