Ambassador, Kevin O’Malley’s residence in the Phoenix Park to play the ambassador’s Creative Minds series. The series has previously included artists such as Glen Hansard, Ben Folds, and John Prine with the goal of strengthening cultural ties between Ireland and The United States through music and the arts.

Andrew Bird at the United States Residence, Phoenix Park for Creative Minds The event included a performance by Bird, and a conversation hosted by RTE Lyric FM’s Ellen Cranitch, to a small audience of artists and students. He discussed his distinctive use of loop pedals and how he once had to audition for a violinmaker to prove his worthiness of the luthier’s instrument. Bird described how the space in which he performs influences his music, specifically his short films, Echolocations, in which he performs an acoustic composition in exceptional locations such as a canyon. He also discussed his involvement with The Muppets, and writing and performing The Whistling Caruso, for the film.