Birds of Wales

Press & Quotes:

"The first time I heard "Uninteresting" by Birds Of Wales it reminded me of the first time I heard "Yellow" by Coldplay. I expect big things from this band!" (Rob Robson - Programmer - Galaxie Rock)

"Birds of Wales' Belgravia Hotel is the perfect soundtrack to a springtime drive." (ChartAttack)

"The name sounds British, but this Folk-Rock band from Toronto has made inroads around the world. Lead singer, Morgan Ross has star quality, and the band has catchy tunes known to turn the ladies heads." (Toronto Star, Canada)

“Sharp, young and intellectual, Birds of Wales have risen out of Canadian obscurity to become a surprise folk-rock sensation." (Oxford Mail, England)

“…there's something wonderfully appealing about the soft and comfortable place Birds is able to tuck you into.” (NOW Magazine, Toronto)

"Some critics are lauding them as potentially the next Coldplay, many others are focusing on the band’s savvy fashion sense and Ross’s brooding good looks." (Kitchener Record)

-THE PLAYLIST - "My Lady in July is a dreamy acoustic track awash with melancholy" (MUSIC WEEK - UK - June, 2007)

“The ambient swirl of lap steel and delay-treated guitar make a nice backdrop for Ross's ruminations on living and learning... ” (Georgia Straight Magazine, Vancouver)

"Great new Toronto-based band with roots in Vancouver and England. The band’s debut, Belgravia Hotel is filled with melodic pop gems." (Hamilton Spectator)

“Birds of Wales are the best new band in Canada. Period.” (Ralph James of The Agency Group)

“Women love to look at lead singer, Morgan Ross." (National Post, Canada)

"Coldplay would only sound this interesting if they went to the Rockies and locked themselves in a mountainside hut with only a guitar and an alluring milkmaid for company." (Notion Magazine, UK)

"Fall of the 49 EP is a happy - Sunshine fueled collection of upbeat songs... Well worth the listen!" (Acoustic Magazine, UK)

"Birds of Wales are already on the up and they’re sure to be coming to your iPod soon!" (InsideE!)

"Impressive mix of Neil Young & Crazy Horse, the stark melodies of the Pixies and the fiery intensity of Leonard Cohen" subba-culture.com

"I fucking love your band's name." (Amy Millan - Stars)

“When a band has only been playing Toronto for 4 months, but can already sell out a room, you know something really great is going on.” (Stefanie Purificati of The Drake Hotel, Toronto)

Biography:

How does a one time varsity soccer star, a student of political science and a descendant of Florence Nightingale get mixed up in the world of rock? And furthermore...where does a band get a name like Birds of Wales? Vancouver singer/songwriter and frontman of Birds of Wales, Morgan Cameron Ross, tells the story best.

"While living on campus at the University of Northern British Columbia in Prince George I spent most of my time either playing soccer or writing songs on acoustic guitar in my room," recalls Ross. "Friends of mine in a band called Stabilo, from Vancouver, eventually convinced me to move back and pursue my songwriting skills. They encouraged me to record some tracks and even joined me in the studio for the sessions. As for the band's name....I grew up with a pet cockatoo. My mom was patriotically Welsh and adored birds. The rest is history".

In the spring of 2005 Morgan packed up and moved to Toronto where he attended York University's french campus. By the fall of that year he had auditioned and picked what would become Birds of Wales: Mike Caputo from Windsor on guitar, Dan Taylor from Toronto on bass and British newcomer to Canada Ben Standage on drums. Successful stints at Lee's Palace, the Drake and various other Toronto clubs caught the eye of Ralph James, President of The Agency Group, who soon after signed them to his roster. A return trip to Vancouver saw similar audience interest with a packed house at Richard's on Richards.

In the summer of 2006 the band took their maiden voyage as Birds Of Wales to London, England. That would be the first of several successful tours in the UK. The Agency Group UK signed the band and Invisible Hands Records / Universal released an early EP in 2007. Return visits across the pond saw the band venture into Ireland, Holland and Spain plus play on a tour opening for Xavier Rudd on his European dates.

Consistent attention from British audiences soon paid off. The BBC and regional radio started spinning the band's songs, resulting in one of their singles, "My Lady in July", breaking into the national charts published by Music Week Magazine. Supportive press followed, including photos of the band's charismatic frontman, Morgan Cameron Ross, gracing the pages of England's largest teen magazine "TV HITS".

Their imported British EP started to filter back into Canada and constant touring continued. Birds Of Wales gained significant airplay and performed on XM satellite radio[The Verge]. MuchMoreMusic took notice, voting Morgan Cameron Ross as one of the top three hottest guys on their end of year, top 10 show. MuchMusic also showed support having him guest star as a professional songwriter on their homegrown production of the show "Disband". You could hear several Birds of Wales songs if you flipped over to the CBC and tuned into their show "Heartland".

In early December of 2009 the band signed with Toronto indie label Sparks Music/ EMI. Their new full length CD "Belgravia Hotel" will be released on April 13, 2010.The first single/video from the project is a song entitled 'Uninteresting' which was penned by Morgan while staying at the Belgravia Hotel in London!

The album was produced and recorded in Vancouver at Mushroom Sound by Jeff Dawson (Daniel Powter, Kelly Rowlands) and mixed by Jeff Dawson, Mike Fraser (Aerosmith, Franz Ferdinand) and Mike Gilles (Metallica, Bryan Adams). Birds of Wales are managed by Christi Thompson of Thompson Artist Management whose clients include Xavier Rudd and Mishka.