Music & Videos
We do a lot of porch concerts and house concerts. Like our music? Host us! We play a mix of covers and original material You’ll find snippets of these songs as well as cover tunes from live performances below.
We played on the front porch of a friend in need during the South Park Walkabout in September 2024. We donated all of our tips to her, and we also told the audience about her GoFundMe page. Unlike other concerts, we opted to stick with just one instrument (except for Bonnie, who played melodica, too) to keep things tight. It was a grand afternoon, playing for a new audience. Opening for us was Barry Hill, James Morrison, and Bonnie on harmonies and keys.
We get a little bluesy with this cover of Beck's Bottle of Blues at our March 2024 house concert.
We've got a different take on Iron & Wine's Freedom Hangs. Nice drums, Doug Hartley!
Philophilia, an original by Kristen Maher, shows how much we love strangers.
Jessica Barlow arranged this piece by Jay Ungar, and it's a lovely viola/melodica duet.
A Birds on a Train cover of Tin Hat Trio's Bill. Jessica Barlow arranged this lovely song as a duet between the viola and melodica. It's one of our favorites..
We love Sentimental Journey! With a little bass, some brushy drums and three voices, we're in heaven. This was recorded at a house concert in January 2023.
Bird on a Train plays Alien, an original song that explores what happens when someone you love changes. Performed at a house concert in January 2023.
We cover Andrew Bird's First Song, a delightful tune that harkens the Midwest, where two of our band members are from.
As the sun set behind us at a private house concert in September 2021, we played one of our favorite cover songs. Train Song was written by Vashti and originally recorded in the 1960s. Then Feist + Ben Gibbard covered it, and it’s their version we’ve emulated, albeit as an all-girl band.
Jessica Barlow shreds on the violin as we play Rollin’ Out the Snakeskin by treVeld at our May 2021 porch concert in Normal Heights. The amazing Jules Stewart joined us on drums.
The band sings a Secret Sisters cover, The One I Love, at a porch concert in San Diego on May 16, 2021.
Birds on a Train played this original song, Nothin’, at our last house concert. Nothin’ was written during the height of the pandemic. We’re hard-working people, and we often sing this song at rehearsals to relieve stress and angst from the day.
Equinox
One of our originals, written by Kristen Maher, and recorded live at our September 2021 porch concert.
Up in Smoke
An original, written by Kristen Maher and Amy Moulton, recorded live at our September 2021 porch concert.
The Ring
An original by Bonnie Nicholls about the journey of a wedding ring and the value we place on objects. Recorded in a home studio.
I'm Up
An original by Bonnie Nicholls about the strength of the human spirit while facing the end of life. Recorded in a home studio.
Freedom Hangs
A cover of Iron & Wine's haunting song. Recorded live at our August 2022 porch concert.
See See Rider
Our interpretation of Regina Carter's take on a classic blues piece. Recorded live at our August 2022, porch concert.