Humbird bringing ever-changing sounds to Iowa City concert

Side projects that become a recording artist’s primary focus are not terribly uncommon. Kim Deal left the Pixies not once but twice to settle in with her tertiary project, the Breeders. Neil Young and Stephen Stills left the thriving Buffalo Springfield for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Siri Undlin was playing in a number of bands over recent years, but opted to focus on her side project, Humbird, in 2018. The Americana trio, which delivers provocative, disparate tunes, is named after a small town in Wisconsin.

“There’s just 60 people that live in Humbird,” Undlin said while calling from her Minneapolis home. “When I was there I thought, ‘Whoa, this would make for a great band name.’ ”

Undlin takes her band and every song she crafts seriously.

“I believe the concept of making a record is a sacred act,” she said.

The intense singer/songwriter is reminiscent of such acclaimed songsmiths as Aimee Mann and Suzanne Vega. “Right On,” the latest Humbird album, is composed of deep, thoughtful and moving songs. Unlike many contemporary releases, which feature a single and four songs that sound like the featured track, Undlin makes old school albums with tunes that take the listener to a different place with each song.

“That’s just the way that makes sense to me,” Undlin said. “If you go to a museum, you’ll see that all of the paintings aren’t the same. Why should they be the same? That’s how I feel about songs. They should stand on their own. Songs are vehicles for stories. Songs are what it’s all about.”

Musical influences

Undlin, 32, grew up in the Twin Cities and was influenced by female recording artists of that time.

“I was just at the right age to appreciate Avril Lavigne, Sheryl Crow and Michelle Branch,” Undlin said. “I don’t think Avril Lavigne gets enough credit. It was a great time growing up listening to those artists.”

The common denominator between those three singer/songwriters and Undlin is that each crafts confessional songs.

“That’s just the way I am,” Undlin said.

The powerful “Child of Violence” calls out white supremacists. “Ghosts on the Porch” is a dark, potent ballad. “Quickest Way” is a catchy Beatle-esque tune.

Some of the “Right On” songs have elements from what Undlin performed as a child in Irish bands.

“I started playing Irish music at a young age,” she said. “That all stays with you. The same can be said for my experience growing up singing in choirs.”

Youth hockey also had an impact on Undlin, since the bladerunners learn to play full tilt. Youth hockey players also hit the road for games and tournaments, and Undlin and her band trek from town to town. The camaraderie between hockey players and bandmates is similar.

“Some elements between hockey and being in a group are weirdly similar,” Undlin said. “I never thought about that connection but it’s true. I loved playing hockey.”

Undlin writes clever love songs and is adept at crafting songs full of hope.

Humbird, which also includes bassist Pat Keen and drummer Pete Quirsfeld, will draw from its three albums when the group performs Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Englert Theatre in downtown Iowa City.

Perhaps “Right On” will score more attention than Humbird’s criminally under-heralded 2019 album, “Pharmoken,” which is full of deep, catchy and unpredictable material.

Undlin is a bold songwriter who refuses to make the same album twice.

“Each album captures a point in time,” she said. “You move on with each project.”