5.7.25 19:30-20:30
Live Konzert: Birddog

„Under the name Birddog, New York based singer songwriter Bill Santen built an evocative and sometimes surreal strain of Americana, heavy with imagery and bearing a strong poetic sense.
A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Santen spent several years drifting up and down the West Coast before finally settling in Portland, Oregon. There he was befriended by indie hero Elliott
Smith, who agreed to produce Birddog’s debut single. Released in 1996 and featuring Smith on bass and drums, the Killer 7″ appeared on the tiny Undercover label. Santen then signed to Chicago indie Sugar Free Records and released a pair of albums in quick succession. 1997’s seven-song follow-up The Trackhouse, The Valley, The Liquor Store Drive-Thru was again produced by Smith and introduced fans to Santen’s earthy folk landscapes.
Ghost of the Season appeared just one year later in 1998 boasting a fuller band-driven sound and featuring future Wilco member Glenn Kotche on drums. A few years later, Birddog reemerged on the small French label Alice in Wonder with 2001’s dark-hued A Sweet and Bitter Fancy which again included both Smith and Kotche. Birddog’s fourth album, Songs from Willipa Bay, was released in 2002 by Georgia indie Happy Happy Birthday to Me Records. In 2004, Santen released his first solo record, the more intimate In the Night Kitchen“.
In 2005, Santen took at 15yr hiatus from Birddog to study visual art. In 2019, Santen moved to Buffalo, NY and returned to writing, recording, and performing music. „Pleasantville“ was released by Paul is Dead Records in 2022.
In June, 2025, HHBTM Records released a four song EP on Bandcamp: “Songs”.
Santen’s 1997 The Trackhouse, the Valley, the Liquor Store Drive-thru will be re released in October.