The first "proper" Babybird LP 'Ugly Beautiful' contained full-band versions of songs Jones had previously recorded as demos on the self-released albums.
"Graciously elevates above the merely ordinary" - Pitchfork So Baby Bird became Babybird, and built themselves a following, soon scoring a record deal. With guitar groups booming in the mid 90s, Jones got in on the action by forming his own band. Featuring his homemade demo tracks, the releases were met with critical acclaim and found their way into the UK indie charts. With great faith in his work, he used his own money to finance the release of some "lo-fi" albums under the name Baby Bird. By 1994, he had written over 400 songs and landed himself a publishing deal, but was unable to get a recording contract. The Babybird story begins in the late 1980s when Stephen Jones begins writing music for a Nottingham-based experimental theatre company. "A surreal, off-kilter wit and an endless supply of hooks" - Entertainment Weekly Long-considered to be one of the most gifted and underrated songwriters in British music, his remarkable talents are underlined by this new collection of songs. Meanwhile, people are still listening to albums such as 'Ugly Beautiful' and the fan favourite 'There's Something Going On' decades later. But Jones remains dedicated to his cause, and has recently been making some of the best music of his career, over 20 years after his commercial peak. "One of our most subversive pop artists" - The Sunday TimesĪlong with the gold discs, millions of sales, a string of Top 40 hits, Brit Award nominations, critical acclaim, and a dedicated cult following, Babybird has also survived the curse and repercussions of a smash hit single, cringe-inducing endorsements from members of the royal family, issues with record labels, huge changes in the music industry, and even a heart attack. Putting infectious melodies next to black humour, atmospheric soundscapes, tender emotions and unexpected changes in direction, the 18 songs showcase the many different sides to this extraordinary musician and his group. 'Happy Stupid Nothing' collects together some of the best Babybird recordings from the last few years, and stands as a magnificent journey of an album in its own right. These projects have breathed new life into Babybird, which was reborn once again in 2015 as a completely self-sufficient musical enterprise. Independence has allowed him to dig deeper creatively, taking more risks without having to worry about commercial expectations. The million-selling songwriter and cult hero Stephen Jones spent the first half of this decade reconnecting with his DIY roots, exploring new styles and approaches with various other projects, producing some intriguing albums, all self-recorded and self-released. Releasing a masterpiece 25 years in is such a Stephen Jones move." "As hungry, unique and intelligent as anything Babybird has done previously. "As a listener of these wonderful tunes, you are mesmerised and sucked into the world of Babybird." "Eccentric curios and anthems in the making" - Classic Pop Magazine