A Stick and A Stone Premiere Minimalistic Single “The birds are spiraling backwards”

There’s much to be concerned about today, and singer Elliott Miskovicz has poured all of his feelings into the new A Stick and A Stone album Conspire. Today, he reveals the new single from the album, “The birds are spiraling backwards.” There are very few current topics on which Miskovicz does not have a well-formed opinion.

In this song, he makes a strong statement on wildlife and its connection to feeling alive during the worst of times. The fifth proper album from A Stick and A Stone, Conspire, will be released on June 27th on cassette, via Fiadh Productions and on CD on Mutual Aid Records. You can expect much more of a minimalistic sound than the heavier side of A Stick and A Stone, which was more typical of previous releases.

Discussing the writing process and inspirations for this song, Miskovicz states:

“I wrote ‘The birds are spiraling backwards’ after I took my friend to see the swifts while they were in a dark place with their mental health. Every September, thousands of these birds return to the same schoolyard, forming an intricate spiral dance to funnel into the school’s big chimney for the night. Witnessing how this bird-magic lifted my friend’s heavy spirits led me to reflect on all the natural phenomena that make us feel alive again amidst suffering.

“In the song, the sounds of heartbeat and breath symbolize choosing life, with all its highs and lows — both the ‘burning woods and rising waters’ and the ‘swirling branches laced with lichen.’ The line, ‘Say the words I’m staying here,’ took on a deeper meaning after our new U.S. administration took office in January. In just one month, I learned of four people from my queer community who left us. As a trans musician, I receive letters from trans teens sharing how this music helps them find a reason to stay alive. When fascists openly speak of erasing our existence, to say ‘I’m staying here’ becomes an act of defiance.”

Conspire is a pretty potent album, both in its approach and its subject matter. It is both a wake-up call and a refuge for ideas and expression. Miskovicz takes up many topics, including war, climate change, gendered violence, grief, rage, and much more. There are urgent calls to action, but also reminders that there is much beauty within this contentious world of ours. The hardcore approach to recording and songwriting is carefully balanced with intimate components. There are sounds of deep breaths and heartbeats interspersed throughout Miskovicz’s forthright words. And there are also clips of protest speeches mixed in, along with conversations he recorded with children about their views on how to remedy the world of its problems.

There is good with the bad, and bad with the good. And A Stick and A Stone wants you to stand up for yourself and others, and care enough to do something positive.

Conspire Track Listing:

1. The birds are spiraling backwards
2. Microbial Relatives
3. Cartographer’s Wrench
4. Carving out a doorway
5. White Moth Wing Mountain: Oblivion
6. Rinse/Repeat
7. Kill him
8. White Moth Wing Mountain: Adrenaline
9. Exile and Pride
10. …And we will stop them
11. Red Planet

A Stick and A Stone “The birds are spiraling backwards” single artwork