Andrew Bird Previews St. Vincent Tour, Debuts Anonanimal Video

Months before he released his killer disc Noble Beast, Andrew Rosetta Stone Bird was already at work on the video for "Anonanimal," which the Chicago indie-pop songwriter has been perfecting since last fall with director Lisa Barcy. The track is one of the most personal tunes Bird has ever written, and he wanted an bitious clip to match songs depth. (Fans of Tim Burton will dig the bizarre stop-animation creatures that populate the clip.) "Ive never cared much for the music video medium," says Bird. "But Id seen this short film that Barcy did, which involved a giant squid, and I thought shed be perfect for the song. It has a similar theme with aquatic animal life and Rosetta Stone American English cave-like animals." Rosta Stone has the videos exclusive premiere check it out up top.This week, Bird takes off for a 22-date fall tour with St. Vincent and he promises plenty of surprises. On the dock: new songs like the jmy "Lusitania," which Bird says has " oelig;an African feel to it," onstage collaborations with St. Vincent; and plenty of covers, including a re-worked version of Pink Floyds "Bike." "I really wanted to cover that because Syd Barrts lyrics are so good," says Rosetta Stone Chinese Bird. "The phrasing of the words no songwriter would ever think it was a good idea. Thats what makes it so great."