Rusty Willoughby is set to release his newest album, Cobirds Unite, on Local 638 Records. It's a wonderful album of lush, intelligent, Americana loneliness. With vibraphone, cello, and pedal steel in all the right places, there's a cinematic quality to it that lends itself to introspection and quiet beauty. The lyrics on the album are sung as nearly line-for-line duets with Visqueen's front woman, Rachel Flotard. Like Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons, their two distinct voices knit together in a most alluring way. Songs such as the title track and haunting "Where are the Knives" are gently stirring and intimate. Heavenly covers of "Do Right Woman" and "Streets of Baltimore" hint at the dustier inspirations at work on the record.

Having crafted records for Sub Pop, Sony, and Frontier since 1982, the shy, reclusive Pacific Northwesterner Rusty Willoughby is well loved and cult-followed for his trio of rock/pop bands Pure Joy, Flop and Llama. For his newest album of stunning, lo-electricity recordings, Willoughby set out to channel his folk noir influences. Once recordings began, notable musicians from Seattle to Denmark answered the call, giddy to take part of the intensely creative studio sessions. Willoughby and Flotard were rounded out with a brilliant cast of musicians that included Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees), Barb Hunter (Afghan Whigs), Maggie Bjorklund (Mark Lanegan) and Johnny Sangster. With Cobirds Unite, Willoughby stepped out of his comfort zone and crafted his most moving album to date!

Cobirds Unite has subtly become the name of the band when these fine musicians play out together and they've certainly nabbed the spotlight. The new band has been quickly snapped up for high profile support slots with the likes of Black Francis, Chrissie Hynde and Bob Mould. Cobirds Unite look forward to touring the United States throughout the Spring and Summer.

What the press is saying:

"Cobirds Unite is a subtle triumph!" UNCUT

"It is probably the best sounding roots-oriented album I have heard in some time, and that means a lot when you have a voice as sweet and true as Willoughby's." No Depression

"A haunting hush settles foglike over Cobirds’s beautiful folk-pop with minor canyon rock and alt.country leanings—aided by Martin’s vibraphone, Antonio’s cello, Sutherland’s dobro, Flotard’s dulcet duet vocals, and violin, banjo, and pedal steel. And songs such as the title track and chilling “Where are the Knives” are so gently soothing, you’ll almost miss their brooding base." Big Takeover

"Everything about Rusty Willoughby’s Cobirds Unite is perfection, from the production to the talented backing musicians to Willoughby himself." Innocent Words

"So yes. Cobirds Unite. Wistful. Country-tinged. Two warm, star-speckled voices playing up against each other, and hamonising. Some delightful Hammond organ. Haunting. Heavenly. Hiccoughing. Heroic, in a mild way." Everett True

"But you don't need any deep knowledge of his pedigree to pine for Cobirds Unite. It sounds like something he's been patiently planning his whole life for, is as timeless as Sweethearts of the Rodeo, and it's all happening right now." Three Imaginary Girls