Got It Covered / Artist Spotlight: Birdy
By Bekah Touma
With a mouthful of a name like Jasmine Van Den Bogaerde it’s no surprise that she quickly adopted a stage name, Birdy. Although don’t let the girl with the cute name and equally cute, fifteen-year-old, brace-filled smile (if smiling at all) fool you. There is an incredible maturity to her voice that belies her years, giving the impression of a lifetime of brooding not yet earned. Playing the piano since the early age of four and winning a UK talent contest at the age of 12 contributed to her signing a record deal by 14. Her self-titled debut album was released in the UK only via Atlantic Records in early November.
Her album is comprised of all covers with the exception of one original song by Birdy. A few singles have already been chart-toppers in the UK and are slowing making their way over to us. The uniquely mature timbre of her voice allowed for some very moving and interesting covers. These distinct interpretations of mostly contemporary hits make for a music supervisors dream. Her first single, a cover of “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver, as well as “Shelter” a cover of The XX song were both featured on The Vampire Diaries this year.Birdy "Skinny Love"[soundcloud]http://soundcloud.com/officialbirdy/skinny-love[/soundcloud]Click here to hear her cover of "Shelter" in The Vampire Diaries.Surprisingly at the very moment I am sitting here writing this article in a coffee shop, her version of Phoenix’s “1901” just happened to catch my ear on the radio. Hoping to see her continue to make a mark. Please check out the full album, my favorite track thus far being a cover of Ed Sheeran’s “The A Team:"Find out more about Birdy here.Bekah is excited about and has a great appreciation for how music influences and makes its way into the everyday, in her life and others. She currently works at Format Entertainment as a Music Coordinator/Supervisor/Jackknife.