WHO IS WRONGBIRD?

Folks, the bird is the word. Based in Austin TX, Wrongbird is the world’s premier (and quite possibly only) WRONG-rock band. Helmed by Shinyribs keyboardist and Tomar & The FCs alum Eric Baker in collaboration with guitarist/producer Michael Blake, rounded out by bassistDylan Hill of Mamalarky and drummer Tim Smith — this songwriting vehicle most commonly takes the form of a four-piece band. They’ve also been known to add horns, strings, or background singers to their arrangements in addition to wherever else the music takes them…

Owing a debt to classic 60’s and 70’s art pop artists, Eric Baker has been cutting his teeth as a songwriter as long as he can remember. Beginning his musical journey in the worship band in his church as a kid growing up in a small suburb of Chicago. During his time at college in rural Indiana, he saved up the money and collected enough of his songs to record his first record. Wishing to avoid putting an album out under his own name he concocted a musical pen name Wrongbird Erickson to signify his name as an artist. His first release Epitome of the Opposite (2016) showed his interest in the art of crafting albums. Following this release he moved to Austin with the hopes of forming a band around these songs.

Concurrently, Michael Blake was already working as a producer and songwriter in Austin. After being introduced by a mutual friend at the club Mohawk on Red River, they quickly discovered the common musical inspirations they held. This led to a collaboration and ultimately the second musical release in the form of an EP Who is Wrongbird? (2018) Decidedly dropping the ‘Erickson,’ Wrongbird was now a true band instead of just a solo songwriting project. This release declared Wrongbird’s intention to be a true part of the Austin music scene and captured the raw energy of their live performance. After a hiatus due to Covid, the bird is back in action with the release of two singles in 2023 Mr. April and Western Hero and plans to release a new record in 2024. This time around the group is pulling out all the stops with the hopes of putting out an “album for people who like albums.” In the algorithm driven sea of the music industry, Wrongbird is forging ahead with musical experimentation and unwavering sincerity in their approach to music. It’s a good time to be an incorrect songbird.