The Ragbirds Are a Travelin' Machine

Nov. 23, 2014

Multiple appearances at Blissfest and other Up North venues have made the Ragbirds familiar faces around the northern Michigan music scene, despite being based in Ann Arbor. The last time Northern Express spoke with the band, they were in the middle of promoting their then-new album, Finally Almost Ready, and were taking their sound to stages in 20 states.

Five years later, they’re back with their 2011 effort, Travelin’ Machine, plus more tunes in the pipeline for yet another album expected in 2015. In the meantime, they’re ready once again to roots-rock the region, this time at Union Street Station in Traverse City.

FOUND SOUNDS 

Composed of frontwoman Erin Zindle, guitarist TJ Zindle (Erin’s brother), Dan Jones on bass, Randall Moore (Erin’s husband) on percussion, and Jon Brown on drums, The Ragbirds are a tight-knit unit with their own unique blend of world beat music or what Erin, the band’s main song writer, calls "infectious global groove."

That sound has kept them busier than ever over the past five years, as they’ve toured 47 states to increasingly bigger crowds. At times, their sound conjures up Paul Simon’s Graceland period, albeit with female vocals; at others, they sound like Rusted Root with Shawn Colvin at the mic.

For Erin, it’s all part of a constant quest to refine the band’s focus ever further.

"As I’m writing songs for this upcoming album, I feel like I’m honing in on a sound that I have been searching for since I started The Ragbirds," she said. "I’m not sure how to describe it, and the songs are still being developed, so it’s too soon to nail it down to too fine a point. But we have always traveled far and wide with our music, and I feel that somehow I’m coming home to what feels like my own sound."

TOURING TIME

The Ragbirds’ travels will be expanding once again in 2015, as they’ll be embarking on a national tour to promote their upcoming album. On this tour, they plan to continue their ecotourism advocacy, which was highlighted on the last tour by the band’s traveling in a converted van.

"We are currently touring in a diesel Sprinter, which has not yet been converted to run on waste vegetable oil," Zindle said. "We traveled that way for our four years and are looking forward to getting back on the grease train."

While the band is well known for the hard work they put into their studio albums, live shows and connecting with their fans, their music is what really carries all of it along, Zindle says.

"Ultimately, I think it comes down to the songs. We have done our part to manage the business, to practice, to show up and play with all the energy and love that we can muster, but the songs do the real work. The songs are the gift."

With no plans to slow down anytime soon, The Ragbirds may notch all 50 states in fairly short order, especially once the new album hits outlets. For now, though, the music is the thing.

"All I can hope is that we continue to grow, to improve, to expand to more places. I’d love to tour all over the world," Zindle said. "I hope we continue to deepen our connections and to always write songs that move and inspire people."

The Ragbirds will perform at Union Street Station in Traverse City on November 28 and 29 at 9pm. For more info on the band, visit: www.theragbirds.com