Formed initially as a studio project in 2012, they released the Shade of the Sea EP, followed by their debut album Leisure Coast through Spunk Records in 2013. The album received widespread acclaim for its unique brand of Australian pop. It earned Album of the Week on Radio National and received strong reviews from publications such as; Rolling Stone and SMH.
First single Distant Dreaming was named Rage Clip of the Week, with over 300k views online, and FBI listing it their third most played track of 2013.
The band’s second album Black Opal was released in 2016 through Spunk Records. Produced by Russell Webster (keyboards), and mixed by Tim Whitten (The Go-Betweens, Hoodoo Gurus) it picked up album of the year and song of the year for both; Rivermouth & Helluva Lot. The record included a collaborative effort with legendary didgeridoo player Charlie McMahon (Midnight Oil, Gondwanaland), and received glowing responses across the board Including; 4.5 stars from Rolling Stone & Xpress Mag, four stars from Brag & Beat Magazines, and several Best New Music listings worldwide.
Rolling Stone called it ‘Almost Flawless’ & The Music said ‘This is a band that deserves to happen…’
In 2016 the band completed a national album tour which took them to remote central Australia. After several sold out shows, The Bird was nominated for Best Live Act at the National Live Music Awards. Happy Music said, ‘Shining Bird are one of the finest band’s in the country’.
Shining Bird has toured Australia extensively and supported acts such as; Midnight Oil, Kurt Vile, The Drones, Beach House, DMA’s, and Father John Misty as well as playing Festivals such as Fairgrounds, Panama, Yours & Owls and Sydney Festival.
During 2018 the band started work on album number three and in early 2019 were handpicked to play a select local show with Midnight Oil at which point the band released “Who Are We”, the epic first single from the upcoming album. Between the odd live appearance during the rest of 2019, the band continued to work on the next album, recording it across various locations across NSW again working alongside Tim Whitten.
Following the release of the albums epic title track ‘Deadlands’ last month, Shining Bird now returns with the single “Strange Land” the next release from their forthcoming album via Spunk Records.
