by Scott Roos
photo by Aston Istace
With the recent sophomore release of Endless Turn of Day Into Night the North Portal duo of Mike Davis and Lindsay Arnold, aka Last Birds, have proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they can compose and perform folk music of the highest order. With just their voices, in signature close harmony, and a pair of acoustic guitars the overall tone that’s set throughout the album is as emotive and expansive as the prairie sunset. The stripped down delivery allows room for their songs to breathe. The guitarwork has a brevity to it. There’s no note wasted. Melodically there’s memorable hooks. There’s a fluidity to everything which makes their music highly listenable and enjoyable.
At the same time, they are able to draw you in during their live performances as well. With Last Birds, what you see and hear is what you get. In other words, the way they pull off the songs on the record will be exactly how they pull them off live. There’s an honesty to what they do on stage that proves very engaging to their audiences which makes them one of Saskatchewan’s essential folk acts.
Congratulations! This is an Outstanding Acheivement!! Youve taken folk music to a new twist and turn with your duo guitars and your talent having no other instruments needed to fill any gaps,, its a complete body of fluid sound! Your voices in duo or singular pull off that same beatiful fluidity that gets the toe tapping, the eyes closing and diving in singing along with you! I listen to your album over and over ablnd never tire,, in fact its relaxing and joyful at the same time. You know when ya get a song in your mind and it goes on & on? Some of your songs roll through my mind alot,, but i enjoy it and cant wait go…
Congratulations on being chosen Artist of the Year. You have worked so hard to achieve this award and we are thrilled for you both. We love this album so much! We look forward to seeing what you will come up with next.