Sunbirds’ new five-track EP, 15% Happier, is a snapshot of an album under construction.

Recorded in Manchester and Liverpool across two sessions with Nigel Stonier and Steve Levine. The songs were originally intended for A Life Worth Living, but unforeseen circumstances changed everything. That album will now be released in 2027 by the next line-up. Every penny raised from this EP goes straight into the 2027 recording budget.

This is as far as we got: - five songs featuring Dave Hemingway and Laura Wilcockson on vocals, Mark Parnell on drums, Jerry Jobson on bass, and Chris and Phil on guitar. It also introduces Chris stepping into the spotlight in his role as the band’s future lead singer on the brand-new track "Bring It Back".

All songs by Phil and Chris. Each tells its own story, but we'll leave the meanings to you.

1. Make Up Your Mind
2. Right Place Wrong Time
3. Hey!
4. Every Road
5. Bring It Back*

*Previously unreleased

15% Happier is a snapshot of an album under construction.

Recorded in Manchester and Liverpool across two sessions with Nigel Stonier and Steve Levine. The songs were originally intended for A Life Worth Living, but unforeseen circumstances changed everything. That album will now be released in 2027 by the next line-up. Every penny raised from this EP goes straight into the 2027 recording budget.

This is as far as we got - five songs featuring Dave Hemingway and Laura Wilcockson on vocals, Mark Parnell on drums, Jerry Jobson on bass, and Chris and Phil on guitar. It also introduces Chris stepping into the spotlight in his role as the band’s future lead singer on the brand-new track "Bring It Back".

All songs by Phil and Chris. Each tells its own story, but we'll leave the meanings up to you.

1. Make Up Your Mind
2. Right Place Wrong Time
3. Hey!
4. Every Road
5. Bring It Back*

*Previously unreleased

Cool To Be Kind:

Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave Hemingway has been keeping busy with guitarist, songwriter and collaborator Phil Barton. Cool To Be Kind marks the arrival of SUNBIRDS - a new band, with new songs, and a new sound.

“Although a lot of the songs have a Country feel” says Dave, “they’re still about life in England. You’re going to feel a bit daft singing about pick-up trucks and low down honky tonks when you live in Yorkshire.”

Produced by Teo Miller, (The Pretenders, Placebo, Robert Plant), the album captures truthful, open-hearted and sometimes funny songs. The formation of SUNBIRDS also sees the introduction of new discovery Laura Wilcockson on vocals plus violin and session drummer to the stars Marc Parnell.

“There’s no exact science here” says Phil “we’re just enjoying ourselves and expressing whatever we want, whether it’s about love, greed, social equality or Gary Lineker’s crisp adverts”.

Signed by all 6 members of the live band.

Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave Hemingway has been keeping busy with guitarist, songwriter and collaborator Phil Barton. Cool To Be Kind marks the arrival of SUNBIRDS - a new band, with new songs, and a new sound.

“Although a lot of the songs have a Country feel” says Dave, “they’re still about life in England. You’re going to feel a bit daft singing about pick-up trucks and low down honky tonks when you live in Yorkshire.”

Produced by Teo Miller, (The Pretenders, Placebo, Robert Plant), the album captures truthful, open-hearted and sometimes funny songs. The formation of SUNBIRDS also sees the introduction of new discovery Laura Wilcockson on vocals plus violin and session drummer to the stars Marc Parnell.

“There’s no exact science here” says Phil “we’re just enjoying ourselves and expressing whatever we want, whether it’s about love, greed, social equality or Gary Lineker’s crisp adverts”.

Having retired from the live scene at the back end of 2016, Dave Hemingway has been keeping busy with guitarist, songwriter and collaborator Phil Barton. Cool To Be Kind marks the arrival of SUNBIRDS - a new band, with new songs, and a new sound.

“Although a lot of the songs have a Country feel” says Dave, “they’re still about life in England. You’re going to feel a bit daft singing about pick-up trucks and low down honky tonks when you live in Yorkshire.”

Produced by Teo Miller, (The Pretenders, Placebo, Robert Plant), the album captures truthful, open-hearted and sometimes funny songs. The formation of SUNBIRDS also sees the introduction of new discovery Laura Wilcockson on vocals plus violin and session drummer to the stars Marc Parnell.

“There’s no exact science here” says Phil “we’re just enjoying ourselves and expressing whatever we want, whether it’s about love, greed, social equality or Gary Lineker’s crisp adverts”.