The Bi-Coastal Duo, The Beard & The Bird, have released their second single, “Dust if you Must,” a unique adaptation of the beloved poem by Rose Milligan. This track, recorded between Afterhours Studio in San Diego, CA, and GCR Audio in Buffalo, NY, blends Western swing with Milligan’s inspiring and poignant poetry, urging listeners to pursue a joy-filled life.
Jon (Vocals, Guitar, Slide) and Cat (Vocals, Upright Bass) bring their distinctive style to “Dust if you Must,” with influences from Bob Wills and Django Reinhardt. The song features contributions from Tyler Westcott on Banjo and John Aaron Troy on Clarinet, recorded during a Fall 2022 session at the legendary GCR Audio Studio A. Additional upright bass and harmony vocals were added in San Diego, and Tony Econom completed the arrangement with drums.
The original poem, published by Rose Milligan on September 15, 1998, in the 21st edition of “The Lady,” serves as an anthem to appreciate life’s small pleasures and invest time and energy into enjoyable pursuits. Each stanza, written in a regular rhyming scheme, encourages listeners to distinguish between wants and needs, urging them to live life to the fullest before old age sets in.
The Beard & The Bird, performing together since 2021, regularly appear at venues throughout Southern California and on the East Coast around Buffalo, New York. Their music spans from 1920s Western swing to modern pop/folk with a Rockabilly twist, both starting their musical journeys in small-town punk scenes.
Reflecting on their journey, Cat recalls, “I played one live show in our friend’s backyard. It was kind of a big deal,” she laughs. “But I might never have met Jon if I hadn’t broken a string with my angry punk music.”
“Dust if you Must” is a testament to their unique blend of musical styles and their ability to transform timeless poetry into a contemporary anthem of joy and living life to its fullest.
