Siri Undlin, a singer-songwriter who performs as Humbird, will perform in the U.K. and Ireland for the first time. “I’m not really going to be fully in belief that it’s happening until I’m playing a show over there,” says Undlin, who will be overseas between July and September.

The Minneapolis-based musician, who has performed many shows solo and with a band throughout the U.S., says a tour of the U.K. and Ireland has long been a dream of hers. She credits booking agent Elyse Aubert of the Row Boat agency for helping to make the dream a reality. “We worked really hard to figure out a way to make it happen,” Undlin explains, noting that there was an initial tour planned for 2020. “This is actually a re-scheduled, reimagined tour from the ‘before times,’ so it feels definitely extra sweet that it is happening.”

The tour includes major cities like Sheffield, Belfast, and London, but it also includes some market towns and seaside villages. “It's sort of similar to how I tour in the U.S. as well,” Undlin says. “I personally think it's really important to do both [large and small cities] and to offer up art and collaboration in different contexts. And I think the kind of music that I make and the person that I am and my background makes me able to do both.”

Although Undlin will be touring as a solo performer, she won’t be alone. As Humbird, she’ll be sharing the tour with fellow Minneapolitan Luke Callen, a guitar player and folk singer, on a double bill at each venue along the way.

Humbird’s latest album is Still Life, a lush collection of songs that poured forth during the pandemic. The Still Life song cycle — which blends elements of folk, Americana, jazz and classical — begins and ends with hopeful introspection. It opens with the instrumental “Hymn for Whom,” and concludes with the beautiful “On The Day We Are Together Again,” a song that not only conjures emotional connections to memories and aspirations, but whose structure invites everyone to sing along.

Minnesota audiences will also get to hear songs from Still Life at a number of shows in the region, including a free concert on Wednesday, June 15, at White Oaks Park in Rochester, Minn., presented by Rochester Civic Music. “They reached out to me, and I was so excited to be part of what they’re doing,” Undlin says. “Rochester has such a cool scene of people organizing around the creative arts. It’s always just a blast to go there and see the people who are working hard to make Rochester a hub for traveling artists.”

Other upcoming Humbird shows include a gig in LaCrosse, Wis., and a set at the Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wis., on Friday, June 24.

Undlin also finds ways to connect with fans through her other interests, including native plants and land stewardship. She has offered prairie seeds and plant tinctures on her merch table. Also, she has harnessed her love of storytelling and book printing to create zines of her past travels.

“Going on tour is always an adventure, no matter where you go,” Undlin observes. “I think when you show up with a guitar, strangers tend to be just really open and curious in a way that maybe doesn’t unfold as a normal traveler. … I’m excited to follow the winds and see where things lead, and let the music guide the adventure.

“Every time you leave your house, there’s a good learning opportunity.”

External Links

Humbird - official site

Luke Callen - official site