Andrew Bird Plays Intimate KCRW Set
The Santa Monica performance featured new songs and selections from the 2019 album My Finest Work Yet, ahead of KCRW's December 2 release of the full session.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Alternative
Andrew Bird performed an intimate Live on KCRW set at KCRW headquarters in Santa Monica on Friday, October 30. The show featured several brand new songs and selections from his 2019 album My Finest Work Yet, and closed with "Capsized."
Why it matters
Songs from My Finest Work Yet will be featured in the upcoming movie I Play Rocky, giving the material a new platform beyond the concert. The set also highlights Bird's recent Emmy-winning work with "Need Someone," featured in HBO's The Pitt.
The KCRW setlist ran 11 songs, and Bird has released more than 20 albums across his career. The source does not detail chart performance or sales for the new material.
The players
Andrew Bird
Andrew Bird is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter and violinist known for his looping style and a catalog of more than 20 albums.
KCRW
KCRW is the public radio station of Santa Monica College, based in Santa Monica, California, and known for its Live on KCRW session series.
Gavin Brivek
Gavin Brivek is a researcher for HBO's The Pitt who sought out music for a key scene in the series.
The details
Bird was joined by Ted Poor on drums, Alan Hampton on bass, and Madison Cunningham on electric guitar. The performance grew out of a cold call from Gavin Brivek, who handles research for The Pitt and sought music for a pivotal scene; Bird had not watched the show at the time, and after viewing the scene he wrote "Need Someone" in an hour.
Timeline
Gavin Brivek cold called Andrew Bird seeking music for The Pitt before October 30.
Andrew Bird wrote "Need Someone" in one hour before October 30.
Andrew Bird performed Live on KCRW at KCRW HQ on October 30.
KCRW will publish the full session to the public on December 2.
Industry Dynamics
The session reflects a growing pattern in which television productions turn to singer-songwriters for original music that doubles as promotion for both the show and the artist. Bird's "Need Someone" follows that model, with an Emmy win tying the track to The Pitt.
The full KCRW session will become publicly available on December 2, giving listeners a way to hear the new material outside the live room. Songs from My Finest Work Yet will also appear in the upcoming movie I Play Rocky.
The takeaway
Bird's session shows how a single cold call can turn into a new song and a lasting connection between a musician and a television series. Listeners who follow the artist can watch for the December 2 release to hear the full set.
What happens next
KCRW will publish the full Andrew Bird session to the public on December 2.
Further reading
For more alternative music coverage, see Alternative on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Just Jared.
