"The gorgeous rootsy folk of the Floorbirds is enough to whisk a person to the backcountry '40s in a shiny futuristic time machine, as their sound still resonates with a modern freshness."
Jen Paulson, City Pages * August 27, 2008
I remember being blown away by the Floorbirds, they are so so very good. So this tune (Wild Mountain Thyme) I hear it every other week being banged out by some middle aged Irish band, with six guitars playing in unison, trying to be the Clancy Brothers, and as a listener you loose all the emotion that existed in the music originally. But the Floorbirds, have a way of taking this old song and squeezing out the inherent emotion that can be lost in Cliché.
I remember speaking to a professor of mine and he was describing when he first showed his mother Bob Dylan in 1963, and her initial reaction was “well, how does a twenty one year old man sound like he’s seventy years?” And I really feel that when you listen to the Floorbirds you are hearing such old sounds from such young people but by virtue that they are young people and that they have young tastes you are hearing something so fresh and new.
Tom Power, Deep Roots - CBC Radio * 2008
America’s Best Sounding Kitchen!
Local Show 89.3 The Current * October, 2007
The duo of Daniel and Alyssa consistently amaze me with the unblemished beauty of their Depression-era-sounding folk songs. The elegance of their music is such that in the tune “Moonshiner,” even death by alcoholism somehow seems absolutely gorgeous. While their set was the most laid back, the Floorbirds still managed to be one of the most engaging groups of the evening.
By Jon Behm , TC Daily Planet * December 23, 2008
“Pure Magic!
Tom Feldmann * December 12, 2012
In these economic times when people are living more simply, the music of the depression era is ringing a bell with the youth of today. The Floorbirds are part of a new movement in Minnesota that’s bringing back old folk music. Daniel Libby and Alyssa Bicking blend of old American songs, and new folk ballads give them a sound reminiscent of the early 20th century. My favorite song by them is “K.C. Moan” originally by the Memphis Jug Band in 1929.
Rebekah Blizzard * January 10, 2010
“My Favorite New Band”
Gary Louris of the Jayhawks - Mayo Civic Center * August 2008
The power of two. This simple sentiment echoes endlessly from the stereo and the stage where The Floorbirds play. Daniel and Alyssa, as the Minneapolis duo is effortlessly known, allow haunting harmonies and raw instrumentation to sweep over the audience, catching them in their gentle wave. The band bottles this formula in Field Recordings, its first collection of self-described “folk songs, child ballads, sea shanties, cowboy songs, blues, and originals.” In the opening track, “KC Moan,” Daniel explores the map of both pain and hope as Alyssa softly plays, urging him on. It’s a viable support system, showing its strength throughout the album’s ten tracks. Yet, the calmest storm cannot be contained. The band finds comfort in the company of others, sharing a melody, a song, a stage. Carolina Chocolate Drops, Doc Watson, and the Strugglers have made space for the duo, among others. They will grace the familiar Reunion stage, September 19-20.
Sarah Tollie - Bristol Rhythm and Roots * 2009
A slow, polite cadence that suggests the son of a coal miner.
Jim Walsh - Star Tribune * March 8, 2009
The Acoustic Duo of Daniel and Alyssa harkened back to a time when old-time folksongs, beautiful voices, and finely executed instrumentation was something a lot of us heard in our living rooms and front porches. Their renderings of “Weeping Willow,” “East Virginia Blues,” and “KC Moan” brought a freshness to these traditional numbers. Alyssa’s voice like a mountain bluebird is strong when she leads a song and when she does backup. Daniel vocals are equally as good, with both producing the close harmonies that need to be spot on for this type of performance.
Janie Franz - GREATFUL WEB * January 23, 2008
Washburn Blues is great song that even though it is new it sounds very old.
Dale Connolly - Radio Heartland * MPR Radio 2009
The Floorbirds floored me (pardon the pun) when I first heard their songs via their MySpace page. I think it was the massively retro feel of their style that grabbed me by my collar and shook me like a rag doll. I’ve always been a fan of old field recordings, and The Floorbirds seemed to nail that vibe squarely on the head. I couldn’t tell if they were a current artist, or one that has been hidden away and just recently discovered by some guy while digging through his great-grandfather’s stuff.
FRONTLOADER.COM * APRIL 24, 2009
Daniel is a great local musician, go out and see his band the Floorbirds play.
Dom Flemons - Carolina Chocolate Drops Cedar Cultural Center
March 29, 2009
The Floorbirds are a talented acoustic folk duo, with Daniel playing the guitar and Alyssa on the ukulele, and both of them blending their beautiful voices. Their songs are sweet and intimate, and packaged with a touch of heartbreaking. The Floorbirds are one of the essential bands in Minneapolis’s new folk movement. Watching them play live is truly charming – it’s easy to catch them exchanging secret, blissful smiles back and forth and they both seem brimming with the joy of playing music together.
They play lots of shows in Minnesota as well as touring then nation and the world. So, whether you are right here in Minneapolis or in distant Madrid, be sure to catch one of their enchanting shows.
Twincities .org * August 2010
The Floorbirds have a fresh and intriguing approach to performing American folk music.
BCR News - January 2010
This kid from Minneapolis (Daniel) who plays in a band called the Floorbirds has found a lot of inspiration in songs recorded by musicians in the 20’s and 30’s, and that’s fine. since he does a great job creating new songs that could have easily been sung on a riverboat, or along the trail, or in a Memphis bar in the early 20th century. Not to worry, they are a lot of fun to listen to now as well.
Folk Alley - March 2008
