Comprised of vocalist/guitarist Cliff Usher and pianist/vocalist Lindsay Pitts, Birdlips are an alternative folk duo from Charlottesville, VA. The two musicians first worked together in the Business of Flies, a dance-rock band that played fraternity parties during the bandmates' tenure at the University of Virginia. Following the band's demise in mid-2007, Pitts and Usher went on to form Birdlips, using a wealth of songs Usher had written while studying abroad in Spain and backpacking across Europe. Former bandmate Sean McVey was temporarily brought on board to handle drum duties, and the band decamped to Virginia's Monkeyclaus Studios for the recording of Carboard Wings. Mixing Usher's rich baritone with acoustic guitars, harmonies, and lush production, the engaging album helped expand Birdlips' audience at home while attracting attention from NPR and other national outlets. ~ Andrew Leahey