Arleigh Kincheloe, who operates under the stage name Sister Sparrow, is best known as the powerhouse vocalist for New York-based soul-funk outfit Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds. In 2018, after issuing a string of acclaimed albums with the group, Kincheloe embarked on solo career that infused her R&B/soul proclivities with contemporary pop. Kincheloe founded the Dirty Birds in 2008. Already making noise in their native Catskill Mountains region, the dynamic-voiced Arleigh and her harmonica-playing brother Jackson headed downstate to New York City to put together a fully-fledged soul ensemble that includes guitarist Sasha Brown, bassist Josh Myers, drummer Dan Boyden, trumpeter Phil Rodriguez, and saxophonist Brian Graham. By the summer of 2009, they had built up a reputation as a formidable live band who mixed soul, funk, blues, rock, and country to great effect during their weekly residency at the Rockwood Music Hall. They put this live chemistry to the test with their self-titled 2010 debut, which was recorded live during a marathon 12-hour session at New York's Avatar Studios. They spent the following year building up a national fan base through constant touring, earning support slots with major acts like Dr. John, Gov't Mule, and Counting Crows. Their second album, Pound of Dirt, which arrived in 2012, was followed a year later by the Fight EP, produced by Grammy-winning American Idol judge Randy Jackson. They continued to log miles on the road, establishing themselves on the festival circuit, making appearances at Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, and the Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans. For their third LP, the group enlisted producer Ryan Hadlock (Vance Joy, the Lumineers) and recorded at famed rural studio Bear Creek outside of Seattle. The Weather Below was released in the summer of 2015. Kincheloe then teamed up with producer Carter Matschullat (Chef'Special, Secret Weapons) to record her solo debut. The resulting Gold, which took the brass-forward sound of the Dirty Birds and added soulful pop to the mix, was released in 2018. ~ Timothy Monger