THIS WEEK: MR BIRD
Mr Bird is musician/DJ and producer Steve Bird – originally from Newcastle and now based in sunny Lisbon in Portugal. He has been co-running two record labels – Master Press Recordings and Heavy Duty Booty – and has just started a third – Fat Bird Sounds.

Steve also has an album coming out early next year on BBE Records with UK singer Greg Blackman plus a diverse collection of Jazz/Funk & Electronica in February 2013 on a new label called Vital Force. Meanwhile as Mr Bird, he’s recently released original music and remixes on a wide array of other labels. This is one busy fella.

Since moving to Lisbon Steve has been collaborating with singers, producers and musicians, and writing original music for TV, documentaries and theatre and DJ’ing at bars and clubs in and around Lisbon.

Mr Bird is living proof to me of what a brilliant resource Soundcloud is for discovering new music.I fell hook,line & sinker for Mr Bird’s funky sound after discovering him on Soundcloud recently-‘Talk of the Town’ is one of my personal favourites of 2012 and I had to share it.

Press play and try not to move,try to not to feel joyous-its bloody hard isn’t it.

Mr Bird make music that makes the world feel like a better place,to me its mood changing music,its the best of the old school tightly wrapped but loosely tied into a glorious 21st century package. Watch out for Upcoming releases from Mr Bird. And I just couldn’t resist sharing Mr Bird‘s Skateliscious ‘Skate Dancer’ to keep those winter blues at bay.

Thanks to Steve (aka Mr Bird) for joining us on the last Prick And Ding of 2012.
Official | Soundcloud | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

And big thanks to all the artists and readers/listeners who have joined us on Fresh On The Net in 2012. Here’s to a most excellent musical 2013.

Merry Christmas a Happy New Year.

Johnno
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1. What are you up to at the moment?
Just finished a new Mr Bird album for new label Vital Force label, and working on an album for BBE Records with UK soul singer Greg Blackman, and getting back into running my label Fat Bird Sounds, co-running the Master Press Recordings label and developing wings made of recycled pillows so I can fly to gigs and save on taxis.

2. Favourite childhood memory?
Getting a red and yellow Raleigh Burner to replace the workhorse of the Grifter. Which was then promptly stolen outside the local newsagents.

3. Hero?
Bill Hicks. Gone but not forgotten. And John Peel for providing the soundtrack to my teenage years.

4. Villain?
Baron Greenback. Seriously, a combination of George Osborne and David Cameron.

5. What/who makes you laugh?
Bill Hicks. Eddie Izzard. Steve Bell. People who think they know everything about everything.

6. Describe what you do?
I play and record guitar, melodica, keys and synths and I combine them with beats, samples and sounds to hopefully put smiles on peoples faces on a rainy day.

7. Whose hair would you like to have for just one day?
David Hasselhof. For sure.

8. Best musical experience to date
Recording a John Peel session at the Maida Vale studio on a Sunday afternoon many moons ago. Getting a copy of anything I produced on vinyl.

9. What artist inspires you?
Stevie Wonder, Moodymann, Curtis Mayfield. Flying Lotus.

10. What does Fresh On The Net mean to you?
Fresh ideas and hand picked music