Nashville-based musician Austin Sawyer has been taking over the indie rock scene under the project Drumming Bird. With a lengthy discography behind him, the singer-songwriter has solidified his spot as a musician wholly unafraid of sharing the ever-changing American landscape. Addressing issues of religion and politics in the south while telling tender love stories, Drumming Bird has never shied away from his skills as a writer and musician. On Friday, Sawyer released his third full-length record, Roadkill Poetry. No Regards caught up to chat with Drumming Bird at Roadkill Poetry’s album release about Sawyer’s storytelling and how he writes, the making of Roadkill Poetry, and more.

Who is Drumming Bird? If you had to describe who Drumming Bird was in three words, what would you use and why?

I’m a passionate person, a passionate artist. I put my whole heart and soul into everything I do with my music, but at the same time, I can be funny and unserious. I feel like that can come through as tongue in cheek in my lyrics and just my general persona… Passionate and funny, and this goes hand in hand with passionate but just dedicated. Dedicated to friends dedicated to my project. I like for people to know that I have their back.

Congrats on your new album, Roadkill Poetry. What is one thing you’re most excited about now that it’s out there in the world?

It’s hard to say, with releasing an album, specifically what to be excited about. I’m excited that I’m not the only one listening to it anymore. I’m excited for it to have a life outside myself and the people who helped create it.

Speaking of the album, walk us through the process of making and writing it.

I started writing Roadkill Poetry around the time I released American Spirits. I started writing a couple of the songs and had them wrapped up by late 2023. I worked with a producer named Mike Viola out in Los Angeles last April. I went out there, recorded most of the record and then came back to Nashville- finished some overdubbing and vocals and got it mixed up. I finished it up in the fall of last year, and we’ve been slowly releasing it ever since.

Is there any particular song from the album that has a special story or meaning?

“Mama, I Already Know” is a really special one to me on the record. It’s always kind of an unnerving thing to write about something so personal. It’s about my relationship with my mom, but doing that always pays back tenfold. Just love hearing how it resonates with other people and how a song that may have come from a personal experience, other people can relate to so deeply.

Your music frequently touches on many heavy subjects like religion and politics. What drives you to tackle these issues?

For me, you have to focus on what your gifts and strong suits are when you’re trying to tackle issues like that. For me, I feel like I’ve always been a good writer and have been able to process my thoughts coherently when I’m writing them into a song. That’s why I felt compelled to use that gift and ability to be able to speak out, and I wouldn’t consider myself a political organizer or anything like that, but this feels like the most beneficial way I’m able to contribute positively.

What is one thing you want fans to feel or take away from your music?

I like putting the ball in the fans' court in that situation. I don’t feel the need to dictate how you feel based on my music. I just hope you feel something.

If your music was any inanimate object, what would it be and why?

Probably a cactus blossom with some flowers on it. I’ve always been fascinated with cacti; they’re such unique plants, and they’re beautiful but also dangerous. I like the combination and depth of an inanimate object like that. And a cactus, I want to give them credit- they’re not totally inanimate, they grow a little bit- so maybe a cactus statue or something.

What is your No Regards Moment?

Moving to Nashville. I’m from Tennessee, so it’s always been on my radar, but it seemed like the next logical step for me. It was kind of scary and intimidating leaving home and being the furthest I’d ever been from home. Looking back on it, it’s just been amazing. The community I’ve grown here and established here, and all the people I’ve met, have just made it this thing I don’t regret at all.

What’s Next for Drumming Bird?

I’ve been totally consumed with getting ready for and planning this show, so I’ll have an answer after tonight.

Drumming Bird’s latest album, Roadkill Poetry, is out now!

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