Andrew Kenny, the driving force behind American Analog Set , began working on a new side project, the Wooden Birds, after pulling up stakes and moving back to his native Texas in 2008. Sounding something like a rustic, Neil Young -influenced spin on Kenny’s previous work, the Wooden Birds nodded to likeminded acts like Bon Iver and Iron & Wine . The debut effort Magnolia, which featured appearances by Ola Podrida , David Wingo , Leslie Sisson ( American Analog Set ), and drummer Michael Bell ( Lymbyc Systym ), arrived in May 2009 via Barsuk Records. By the release of the group’s second album (Two Matchsticks) in June of 2011, the line-up had stablized around the core of Kenny and Sisson, and new members Matt Pond and Sean Haskins. Also appearing on the album was Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard. ~ TiVo Staff