The debut album by Amateur Ornithologist.

Written by Daniel J Clifford

Produced by Harbourmaster at Harbourmaster Productions South Shields

Vocals and synths by Daniel J Clifford
Guitars, bass and handclaps by Harbourmaster
Drums and percussion by Matt Hardy
Additional synth on Track 2 by Matt Hardy
Brass by Lee Morris

Drums on Tracks 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10 recorded by Matt Hardy at South Base Studio.
Drums on Tracks 1, 3 and 9 recorded by Oliver Baldwin at J&J Studio.

A Labyrinth

Matters I Know Matter To No One

When The Laughter Ends

The Murmuration

Nightmare Fuel

Regret Everything

The Bigger Picture

Simple Things

Dead Man Begged

Birds Fly Over Me

Building the Bird

Slip Away

Like An Amateur

The Willows

Ecclesia

Promises

Hermit Phase

A Better Person

I Told A Lie

Weird Walking

Sunscreen

Building The Bird

Venetian Blinds is a kitchen-sink drama against a viola-led folk horror soundtrack.

Hide

Venetian Blinds

Forgotten Schemes sees dreamy synths float around a psychedelic waltz.

Forgotten Schemes

A slice of gothic post-punk about the Cottingley Fairies.

If It Looks Like Magic

I Won't Be Waiting

Time To Talk charts the difficulties of modern communication, reflected in sharp key and time signature changes, jerky rhythms and squealing sax.

Time To Talk

Synth-soaked darkness, rattling rhythms and high harmonies.

The Anatomy Lesson

A Hidden Path squeezes field recordings, orchestral folk, and art rock into its 4 minute run-time.

A Hidden Path

When They Fall

Amateur Ornithologist are a weird pop group from North East England. Starting as Daniel Clifford’s solo project, AO has grown to perform as anything from a five-piece to an octet.

The band have earned comparisons to Talking Heads, The Beach Boys and local heroes Field Music due to their adventurous approach to densely-layered, harmony-filled pop.

The band’s neurodivergent members have found a home for their musical expressions; fusing pop, orchestral, jazz and rock influences to create a grand melodic sound.

AO launched their 2nd album, Building the Bird, in 2022 with a sold-out live debut, playing more packed-out and acclaimed shows throughout 2023 while developing 3rd album Hide. They were runners-up at the Radio Wigwam Awards 2022, and have received support from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, NARC and a host of radio stations and blogs.

Band
Daniel Clifford - vocals
Liam Slack - keys, vocals
Madeleine Smyth - viola, vocals
Chris Perriman - bass
Louis Young - guitars
Rob Bailey - saxophones

Amateur Ornithologist

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