Rusty Willoughby to release new album

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 (Mudhoney). 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 and Chrissie Hynde. Cobirds Unite look forward to touring the United States throughout the Fall and Winter. The new album hits stores nationally on November 16th!