Philadelphia Singer-Songwriter Birdie Busch Talks About New Songs And Her Nickname
By Melony Roy
Folk singer/songwriter Emily "Birdie" Busch is a favorite on the Philadelphia music scene. She has played at major venues around the city and even shared the stage with notable indie folk artists like Regina Spektor, Dar Williams and Amos Lee.
Busch always loved music, but that love grew when, as a student, she discovered other genres and artists in the vast music library at the University of Miami. After graduation, she returned to her hometown of Philadelphia and began hostessing and waitressing at a restaurant in Center City. While working nights and sleeping during the day, she began filling books with the stories of her life until she realized the only way to get them to people was through song. She learned to play the guitar, and a musician was born.
Mellow, soothing, rounded sounds is how Busch describes her musical style, influenced by Willie Nelson and older American music born in New Orleans and radiating up. Her music is reflective of the city streets, sounds, and the people she comes into contact with. One example is a 90 year old man who Busch developed a close friendship with over old gospel music and its history.
When asked what music meant to her, she said, "Music takes up space, but you cannot put your finger on it, the weightlessness of it."
Busch also admits that she is obsessed with documenting her life for future generations.
Some of her favorite local bands include Dr. Dog, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Hoots & Hellmouth and anything out of Larry Gold's studio in Philadelphia.
Emily was nicknamed "Birdie" by a friend because she wore a vintage hat of her mother's, and she kept the name because of the all of the other Emily's in her life.
Birdie Busch is currently recording new songs and playing shows all over the Atlantic seaboard. For more information, visit www.birdiebuschmusic.com.
Listen to the interview...
