"even given the buzz over Hogan's recent "I Like to Keep Myself in Pain" album, the year's biggest local roots surprise comes courtesy of JT Nero (nee Jeremy Lindsay) and Allison Russell. Teaming as Birds of Chicago, they project organic gospel, hillbilly, folk and soul elements that bridge traditional and modern approaches. "

-Bob Gendron, The Chicago Tribune

"Dubbed “two of the most compelling new voices in Americana roots music” by their hometown Chicago Sun-Times, JT Nero and Allison Russell first crossed paths when their respective bands — JT and the Clouds (from Chicago) and Vancouver’s Po’ Girl — began collaborating. In 2011, Nero’s Mountains/Forests became the first full release to showcase the harmonious energy the two singers’ voices created together. Out all of that collaboration came the Birds of Chicago collective, which ranges in size from just Nero and Russell (the core) to a full-on band of rotating musicians (including members of the Clouds and Athens, Ohio’s Michelle McGrath).  Birds of Chicago has been capitalizing on the international acclaim of Mountains/Forests, touring frequently and gearing up for the much-anticipated debut full-length album under the Birds banner (due this summer).