About the Band

Birds and Arrows latest album, Electric Bones, is a collection of thoughtful compositions, dynamic harmonies, and stellar vocal performances reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac.

A lush combination of moody soundscapes, 70’s groove, and classic folk-rock, the collection as a whole is a wild ride through this longtime-married duo’s psyche during 2020’s lockdown.

Voted “Best Rock Band In Tucson” (2021, 2023 and 2024) by Tucson Weekly Readers!

"Andrea and Pete Connolly of Birds and Arrows have been making music together for more than 15 years, and this familiarity and cohesion certainly shows.

Their sound and art direction make them seem much larger than a duo, churning out rock music that can jump from personal ballads to massive jams that threaten to swallow the performers up. Contemplative and a little psychedelic, just like the desert itself." - Tucson Weekly

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Press Quotes

"Birds and Arrows reflects a self-assurance that results in strong songwriting and inventive arrangements.” — Chris Conaton of Pop Matters

“The singing throughout Starmaker is fantastic. Andrea's voice is clear, full and stunning, seemingly designed for melancholic anthems and slow-burning love songs. With sand on his vocal chords, Pete delivers lyrics with a rootsy, quiet confidence that balances Andrea in an unexpectedly appealing way.” — Andrew Ritchey, Independent Weekly

“Indeed, Pete and Andrea Connolly wed in October, becoming the most recent addition to the Triangle's excellent collegium of married bands that includes The Rosebuds, Work Clothes and Waumiss. And their workwarm, emotional, poetic folk music played tenderly and gingerly thrives on the relationship's intimacy, spinning songs from domestic images like the blue flickering flame of a gas burner and the trove of persistent memories that remain like love's kindling.” — Grayson Havor Currin

"There is a violent tension in the moniker Birds and Arrows, but the music that Pete and Andrea Connolly craft, spins friction away from brutality and into elegant, elemental heights." — Ashley Melzer, Paste Magazine

"The honeymoon sweetness of their earlier work has been replaced with a maturity and depth appropriate for musicians whose lives and work are gaining seriousness and acclaim." — Frank Stasio, NPR “The State of Things”

"Birds and Arrows are overflowing with invention, dedication and exuberance. Andrea and Pete sing together as if the Everly Bros. had joined Fleetwood Mac which doesn't hurt at all! If the Devil is in the details, then watch what you wish for around Birds & Arrows.” — Chris Stamey (of The dB's)

“Coyotes, the third album by local trio Birds and Arrows, recalls the 1973’s cult classic Buckingham Nicks. With production from the great Chris Stamey, the album’s pastoral songs center on the deeply emotional blend of Andrea and Pete Connolly’s intertwined voices.” — Raleigh News & Observer

"Andrea's voice cuts right to my heart each and every time. Their music so lush, really creates some beautiful energy.” — Dirk Shumaker (of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy)

Electric Bones

In 2020 the Birds and Arrows began the creation of their 6th full length record. But recording was cut short due to the first big wave of Covid hitting the US. Like all musicians during the lockdown, the band had to cancel all tours and shows putting their livelihood as musicians and artists in jeopardy. Birds and Arrows also had to put all album production on hold for the foreseeable future.

In 2021, the band was able to get back into the studio with new ideas to complete the album which would become “Electric Bones.”

The album was recorded live at Dust and Stone Studios as a full 4 piece band with Andrea Connolly on lead vocals, rhythm guitar and synth soundscapes, Pete Connolly on drums and vocals, Ben Nisbet on lead guitar and Gabriel Sullivan on bass and in role of producer. By this time Gabe had partnered with full time engineer Frank Bair.

“Electric Bones” the new album by Birds and Arrows out August 5th on Hookworm records is a lush combination of moody soundscapes, throwback 70’s groove and classic “in studio” live band sound.

This collection of new songs was written by creative duo Andrea and Pete Connolly and is a wild ride through the psyche of lifelong artists digesting an unexpected pandemic lockdown and processing the communal loss of innocence that came with surviving a world shattering pandemic together.

“Electric Bones” is authentic on every level, right down to the band’s energetic core performance that burns bright into the studio microphones and shines direct into listeners psyches. The album is a strong collection of thoughtful compositions, dynamic melody and harmony and stellar vocal performances that hint at despair while still maintaining enough hope to shimmer in the dark.

The album also features an ethereal vocal duet with Brian Lopez (of XIXA and Calexico) called “Saviors of this Town”

Other special guests include Saul Millan (of Los Esplifs) - Moog manipulation. Daniel Martin Diaz (of Trees Speak) - synth on Truth or Consequence. Chris Pierce (of Katie Haverly and the Aviary) - bass on Radio Shack. Marta DeLeon (of Weekend Lovers) - bass on Saviors of This Town.

Pete Connolly Art x Birds and Arrows

The Connollys have also been busy as artists and illustrators!

They illustrated a series of children's books in 2013 for a Baltimore based non-profit. These books went on to be used as learning tools in inner city schools in places like St. Louis, New Orleans and of course Baltimore.

Pete has illustrated two published tarot decks, "The Connolly Tarot" and "Feng Shui Deck.” The couple have designed countless logos, brands and album covers for fellow musicians and small businesses, including t-shirt, album art and logo design for bands like Ben Folds Five, Justin Robinson of The Carolina Chocolate Drops and Dirk Shumaker of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Pete's paintings have been featured in major network TV shows and was recently commissioned by Universal in Los Angeles.

Andrea and Pete Connolly have established an imaginative brand for their artistic and musical creations that is uniquely Birds and Arrows. Find out more about Pete Connolly Art here.

The Full Story (So Far)!

Birds and Arrows, Andrea and Pete Connolly, formed in Chapel Hill, NC in 2007.

Over the next two years (2008, 2009) the band released two self produced, critically acclaimed EPs, "Self-Titled" and "Woodgrain Heart" and began to make their mark on the North Carolina triangle music scene. In 2008 Birds and Arrows went on to release Starmaker".

Recorded and produced by Andrea Connolly of Birds and Arrows and Andrew Marlin of “Watchhouse” formally “Mandolin Orange” this DIY full length record becomes one of the most beloved local releases of that year, being hailed a local folk favorite alongside Bon Iver’s “For Emma, Forever Ago.”

In 2009 Birds and Arrows released “We're Gonna Run" on 307 Knox Records. It was produced and recorded by Nick Peterson of Horseback at Track and Field Studio in Chapel Hill, NC. Their sound begins to shift closer to chamber rock with this release, introducing Josh Starmer on cello as a new fixture in the band on their next two releases.

In 2013 Birds and Arrows released their third full length record “Coyotes” recorded and mixed by Chris Stamey of The dB's. This is a personal favorite of the band.

This incredibly creative and emotional collection of songs combines everything Birds and Arrows had been nurturing and exploring in their prior song writing up to this point. With Chris Stamey along side providing them the most professional and realized production to date.

Also in 2013, Birds and Arrows released a holiday EP "Holiday Forever" also produced by Stamey with the help of Yep Roc Records and Red Eye Worldwide. Select songs have been featured on compilations with Wilco, Big Star, Yo La Tengo, Whiskeytown and more.

In 2015 Birds and Arrows released “Edge of Everything” their final release as North Carolina band. Featuring Robert Sledge of “Ben Folds Five” on bass. The record was again produced and recorded by Chris Stamey of The dB’s and released and distributed by Red Eye Worldwide of Yep Roc Records. “Edge of Everything” is a record of transition, somehow predicting the couples life changing move to the desert southwest with songs like “Desert Home” written before they would visit and fall in love with Tucson, AZ. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if it’s life imitating art or the other way around.

Then, on a cross country tour in 2015 supporting their latest record “Edge of Everything” the band fell in love with Tucson, AZ and decided to relocate there, landing in the desert town on New Years Day 2016. After many years spent as an integral part of the NC triangle music scene, the couple was ready for a new adventure. Something to shake up their lives both physically and artistically.

Moving to the Arizona desert has been more than just a drastic change of scenery for Birds and Arrows, it’s turned out to be a radical change in vision and in attitude. Having outgrown the skin of their quiet NC folk beginnings, the desert has given them the space and freedom to finally shed that “honeymoon sweetness” of their past.

In 2018 Birds and Arrows' released “Arbitrary Magic” on Baby Gas Mask Records. Produced and recorded by Gabriel Sullivan of XIXA at his Tucson studio Dust and Stone. This first full length release for the band, since moving to the desert southwest, is wildly energetic. “Arbitrary Magic” allows listeners to experience first hand, Birds and Arrows' transformation from love lorn folk duo to hard hitting rock and roll badassery.

The first single and music video to be released from the record was "Stay Down”. This track hits you in the face with raw, white knuckle, rock and roll muscle. It's urgent energy makes you want to grip the steering wheel and floor it. The music video was created by Brooklyn based videographer Andrew Ellmaker who has also done video collaboration Carrie Brownstein’s “Wild Flag”as well as many others.

In 2020 the band began the creation of their 6th full length record. But recording was cut short due to the first big wave of Covid hitting the US. Like all musicians during the lockdown, the band had to cancel all tours and shows putting their livelihood as musicians and artists in jeopardy. Birds and Arrows also had to put all album production on hold for the foreseeable future.

In 2021, the band was able to get back into the studio with new ideas to complete the album which would become “Electric Bones.” The album was recorded live at Dust and Stone Studios as a full 4 piece band with Andrea Connolly on lead vocals, rhythm guitar and synth soundscapes, Pete Connolly on drums and vocals, Ben Nisbet on lead guitar and Gabriel Sullivan on bass and in role of producer. By this time Gabe had partnered with full time engineer Frank Bair.

The electricity that happened between the live studio band when they returned from lockdown was palpable. The visceral excitement fueled by pent up creativity is the spark that formed Electric Bones. Electric Bones the new album by Birds and Arrows out August 5th on Hookworm records is a lush combination of moody soundscapes, throwback 70’s groove and classic “in studio” live band sound.