Mark Janka: Vocals, Guitar
Tim Joyce: Guitar, Banjo, Vocals
Greg Thomas: Drums
Ben Schulman: Bass

Previous members:
Tony Bianchi: Bass

Base of operations: Chicago, IL

MP3s at www.myspace.com/thelesserbirdsofparadise
Website at www.lesserbirds.com

Biography:
The Lesser Birds of Paradise came to life in the winter of 1998, formed around the singer-songwriter styling of Mark Janka and featuring a line-up of multi-instrumentalist Tim Joyce, bassist Tony Bianchi, and percussionist Greg Thomas. The group quickly aligned themselves with upstart Chicago label Loose Thread Recordings (Melochrome, Zelienople, Cricket Rumor Mill, etc.), and �xed themselves into the city's scene with the release of 2000's A Suitable Frame, and 2001's ep,It Isn't the Fall. Along the way, The Lesser Birds shared stages with the likes of American Analog Set, Crooked Fingers, the Fruit Bats, Odawas, Gorky's Zygotic Minci, Owen, Radar Brothers, Currituck County and the Zincs, setting the band up for bigger stages and better things.

It's often the unexpected surprise of something beautiful that gives us the most belief and strength in what we do. 2004's String of Bees, on Contraphonic Music Ltd., was met with a larger national presence, and critical acclaim. Rockpile Magazine declared, "records like this only come along a few times a year...their third, possibly best effort to date." Sponic Magazine forecasted "String of Bees is the type of music Americans will always excel at, and with a few more releases like this Lesser Birds of Paradise could become some of our best ambassadors." Back home, the Chicago Reader exclaimed String of Bees to be "so gorgeous it's almost toxic." The group played to larger crowds on larger stages with bands such as The Court & Spark and The Wrens, and expanded their fan base while consistently touring of the South and East coasts. Throughout all this activity, including the departure of bassist Bianchi, The Lesser Birds of Paradise refined their sound to its most organic elements, grew more focused, ambitious, and increasingly collaborative. Later in 2004 the band recorded a short 5 song EP for Chicago's Tight Ship Records. The Scenery was a departure form previous studio efforts. Recorded mostly live, in half a day, with very few overdubs, The Scenery's resulting sparseness and openness is a nice compliment to String of Bees' layered textures and subtle studio trickery.

The Lesser Birds of Paradise's recent efforts finds the subtle experiments and arrangements that acted as flourishes on previous releases turned into integral muscle on the mesmeric Space Between. With emphasis on every detail, Space Between opens up secret passageways of sound, where melodies aren't so much played as naturally grown, where single notes, pump organs, xylophones, muted drums, and echoing voices, layer in a warm, seductive embrace. Coupled with tapestries of American Gothic narratives, sly humor, animal characters, and Robert Creeley-cum-Charles Olson poetics, The Lesser Birds of Paradise have created a record of lasting impression and importance, and emerge as one of the more original bands today.

On August 8th, 2006, Contraphonic Music Ltd. couldn't be prouder to present Space Between to the public. Space Between is more of a time capsule than a record, a sonic document to be buried in the hearts and minds of ageless listeners for years to come.

Similar artists: Mississippi John Hurt, Iron and Wine, John Fahey

Discography:
V/A "Ten Years Of Thinker Thought" Thinker Thought Records 2011
"The Bored Love EP" Available only online 2007
"Space Between" Contraphonic Records 2006
"The Scenery" Tight Ship Recordings 2004
"String of Bees" Contraphonic Records 2004
V/A "If It Plays..." Thinker Thought Records 2004
Jared Grabb/The Lesser Birds of Paradise" Thinker Thought Records 2003
"It Isn't The Fall" Loose Thread 2002
"A Suitable Frame" Loose Thread 2000

Track Listing:
1. My Heart Does Not Travel (Jared Grabb)
2. Restoration of Beauty (Jared Grabb)
3. Josephine - Loud Version (The Lesser Birds of Paradise)
4. Boy - Loud Version (The Lesser Birds of Paradise)

Press:
"This collaborative effort boasts two songs by each. Jared Grabb's acoustic gems are, as always, poignant and endearing. The Lesser Birds' songs are good; 'Boy (Loud)' is the better track of the two, with rollicking guitars and chugging drums. Also features illustration by Grant Reynolds. It's a worthwhile acquisition."- Punk Planet

"Reading Light is a four song split CD featuring two of Thinker Thought Records'artists. Jared Grabb provides two acoustic tunes, singer-songwriter style with strong vocals. The Lesser Birds of Paradise pick up the pace with some driving indie pop. Both artists have well crafted songs that continue to impress after repeated listens. This is a good introduction to Jared Grabb and the Lesser Birds of Paradise."- Impact Press

"In this artistic creation, Jared Grabb collaborates with Chicago's The Lesser Birds of Paradise to produce laid-back yet uplifting music. Jared Grabb performs tracks 1 and 2, introducing the listener to heart-wrenching, story-telling songs; while The Lesser Birds of Paradise take a more electric, straightforward approach in tracks 3 and 4. This four-song release showcases both artists' guitar strumming and vocal skills as they wrap you up in their acoustic rhythms and soothing melodies."- Skratch Magazine