The time from cutting an album to release of an album can be months. And in that time a song that is one way on an album can evolve into something different live. It’s all in the process of the living piece of art that is a song.
Local band Mojo Birds – guitarist and vocalist Jay Harootunian; guitarist Brian Aherne; percussionist and vocalist Alexi Leon; bassist Silas Hamilton; keyboardist Alex Taub; and drummer Ted Moore – expect and encourage song growth.
If you go
WHAT: Mojo Birds Album Release Party with Dana Ariel and Ely Cartwright
WHEN: 6 p.m. (doors) Friday
WHERE: Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive
TICKETS: $18/$20
MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.animascitytheatre.com
Mojo Birds will celebrate the release of their latest self-titled album with a show Friday at Animas City Theatre. Joining the band will also be a horn section featuring Damien Hagge on saxophone, Casey Padron on trombone and Jared Wright on trumpet.
“The songs will evolve a little bit, and we found that out during a rehearsal the other night,” said Harootunian in an interview in late 2025. “We brought some horn players in, and we were all sure we’ve been playing the tune in this way, and we’ve written some horn charts to go along, and realize we’ve changed the song since we first cut it. So I wouldn’t say we forget them, but it certainly evolves when you’re playing a tune live after cutting it in the studio.”
Songs on this latest record were recorded last year in Nashville at the studio that is home to The Wood Brothers. It was a solid connection, one built on music fandom and a tight music community, an educational experience in a professional realm. While Durango is home to top notch recording studios and sound professionals, there’s something to be said about a band field trip to a place outside your own.
“It was a super-fun process and just connecting with really the right people. Jano Rix from The Wood Brothers is the one that helped us produce it. And man, he was just a phenomenal person and just wonderful to work with; he really affects the energy in the room. And I think in a recording environment, it’s so important, the state of mind; you can be nervous, you can be too excited and you’re there for quite a while. So you’ve got to keep the energy up and going and still tap into a creative space while trying to capture it,” Harootunian said. “And honestly, getting out of town and recording certainly changes the mindset. To get to go travel with the band, being in a new place, you just get the energy.”
While this record does fully capture the sound that is Mojo Birds, a sound that lives somewhere between left of the dial festival rock and steady, roots-heavy funk and soul, Mojo Birds are a live band. The music is high energy and festive, and despite any mood that may hit band members before a show, adrenaline kicks in when they hit the stage.
“The second you get on stage, and everybody’s doing their thing, everybody’s feeling good, you start kind of floating a bit. You get this really magical feeling and, yeah, so it doesn’t feel like performing. You're just having a good time,” Harootunian said. “We go to a lot of shows, too. We’re big fans of going to music. You know, we’re doing the same thing when we’re in the audience. So it doesn’t feel that different as being in the crowd, honestly. We’re just trying to play music that kind of moves us or moves the audience.”
The band also printed a serialized run of 500 individual records, with linocut, band-designed cover art, making each record a unique piece of art.
“That’s an aspect of this record I’m really excited about,” said drummer Moore. “I think it’s super cool.”
Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager. Reach him at liggett_b@fortlewis.edu.
