Heavy Birds

Formed in 2013 in Cambridge, MA by Ryan Drag and Lia Moon, Heavy Birds relocated to Brooklyn, NY that same year and became noted as: ”the most droney band in NYC” - Deli Magazine; experimenting with guitar distortion, affected cello, and poetry. After self-releasing their debut 7”, Mary/Moon Child (recorded at Excello Studio) and releasing the ambient LP, Pearl Street (recorded underneath the Manhattan Bridge, released by Mineral Tapes) the HB’s inducted percussionist Jim Laakso, who solidified what was to become the core line-up until 2018. Drag, Moon, & Laakso, soon recorded the “official” debut long-player DRAG (at Vacation Island & Excello.) The album accumulated rave reviews from the States and across-the-pond, developing a cult following in many major cities. The band again went through a transformation which found them gaining the bass player David Voigt (who would engineer the group’s latest record.) However, in 2018 the Birds were once again a duo (this was to be short-lived). The HBs quickly expanding and augmenting their sound upon the departure of Laakso & Voigt. The current line-up of Heavy Birds includes founding members Drag and Moon on phantom & 12-string guitars, along with Russell Hymowitz on bass, Mark Perro on Farfisa compact organ, Christy Davis on drums, and Adam Amram on congas. The reimagined Heavy Birds also acquired the new moniker: The Lovebudz. The current material is more concise with a stronger focus on melody, yet still retains the band’s psychedelic, roots-rock explorations. Heavy Bird’s sound has been compared to the pioneering tunes of The Velvet Underground and early-Pink Floyd, with other sources of inspiration including bands such as: Spacemen 3, The Troggs, Rolling Stones, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Brian Eno, Happy Mondays and White Fence. Heavy Birds (aka The Lovebudz) continue to make music in NY.