(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Folk-soul duo Birds of Chicago brings its unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll and “secular gospel” to Club Helsinki Hudson on Sunday, February 12, at 8pm. Husband-wife duo JT Nero and Allison Russell anchor Birds of Chicago, a sprawling collective of soul-inflected, groove-based Americana from the Midwest. Birds of Chicago’s music seamlessly spans genres, drawing on the soulful balladry of the gospel tradition while simultaneously embracing deep grooves of country and soul. Singer-songwriter Levon Henry will warm up the crowd for Birds of Chicago.

Birds of Chicago was born in 2012 when JT Nero began writing for his vocal star-muse, Allison Russell. Both were accomplished singer-songwriters with projects of their own, Nero with JT and the Clouds and Russell with the acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po’ Girl. Together they found an unmistakable chemistry, both on- and offstage. Nero had found the perfect voice for his rock and roll psalms; Russell moved from being a primary songwriter to an interpreter, blessed with simmering restraint in a world awash in vocal gymnastics and over-emoting.

The Birds of Chicago’s latest album, “Real Midnight,” released in 2016, was recorded by Grammy Award-winner Joe Henry and received praise from NPR, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, No Depression, and Afropunk, among others. Paste called the band an “Americana dream team,” while Afropunk said they “make longing into an art form.” Jewly Hight of NPR’s First Listen said the Birds of Chicago “show us a way to fully live with the awareness that nothing’s forever and everything’s at stake.”

Their live shows have been described by the Alternate Root as equal parts “cabaret twang, dark folk blues, and rock-heavy alt-country,” and they have continued to grow a strong fan following as they performed more than 100 shows last year (with performances at festivals and events including Cayamo, Green River, Fayetteville Roots, Celebrate Brooklyn, Folk Alliance, and APAP).

For reservations in The Restaurant or in the club call 518.828.4800