On The Verge

The Ragbirds

Ann Arbor, Mich.
Infectious Global Grooves
www.theragbirds.com

Big on rhythm, energy and global grooves, The Ragbirds released its third album in 2009 while playing a couple hundred live shows (including a tour in Japan) and gathering descriptions along the way that ranged from “world fusion” to “astounding international eclecticism.” Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone, who produced The Ragbirds’ new Finally Almost Ready describes multi-instrumentalist/frontwoman Erin Zindle as “amazing to watch, let alone listen to. She sings, dances and plays the violin all at the same time … it’s like she has two or three brains going.” Randall Moore and Tim Dziekan are the band’s rhythm devils, while Dan Hildebrandt provides the bass backbone that holds everything together. Erin’s guitar-wielding brother T.J. Zindle joined The Ragbirds in ‘09, bringing a rock and roll sensibility with him. Think gypsy String Cheese with dollops of Latin, Middle-Eastern and Afro-Celtic sound.