About That Song: Siri Undlin of Humbird
About That Song #12
In our special series, singer-songwriter Sarah Morris interviews artists about the songs that shaped them.
Hi! I’m Sarah Morris. I’m wildly in love with songs and the people who write them. There have been a few songs in my life that have been total gamechangers—songs that made me want to be a songwriter and songs I’ve written that made me feel like I am a songwriter. About That Song is a space where I can learn more about those pivotal songs in other writers’ lives.
In the 12th edition of our special series, I spoke with Minneapolis singer-songwriter Siri Undlin of Humbird about formative songs in her musical journey.
Siri Undlin of Humbird. Photo credit: Juliet Farmer.
Sarah: Hi Siri!
What a lovely thing to get to talk to you a bit about songwriting. To me, your songs display such an elegant combination of craft and heart—I’d love to know where that started for you! Do you remember the song that you heard that made you want to be a songwriter? Tell us about that song.
Siri: It was probably Avril Lavigne’s “Complicated” —such a banger. As a little kid it struck me as so cool that she sang a song that was honest and gritty, and also that she wore a tie. I wanted to be like that and write songs that felt real like hers did. I think one of the first full songs I ever wrote used the exact same chords as “Complicated,” and I was so worried someone would say I couldn’t copy her. Of course, the chords were like C, G and F or something, but I was under the impression that she, like, invented that progression and honestly lost sleep over it.
Sarah: Nope, those chords are available to all of us, thank goodness! Also, we can all wear ties (thank you, Avril)! Once you began writing, did you feel like a writer immediately? It took me a few years of writing before I believed it—was there a song that gave you that “a-HA! I AM a songwriter” moment? Tell us about that song.
Siri: Once I learned some chords I really hit the ground running; I wish I could capture that creative inspiration now. But I think I felt less like a writer and more just so excited to write a song, any song. One of the beauties of being a kid, I guess—you’re less worried about labels and more into enjoying the activity itself.
Sarah: Yeah, there is such a sweetness to coming alive within a creative activity. On the best writing days, I still conjure up the “THIS WRITING THING IS SO FUN” feeling, and I’m always so grateful for it. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear you perform among pine trees twice this summer, so I’m wondering—where can we hear you sing in the near future?
Siri: I’ll be on tour this fall! So I hope people will come out and find us.
Sarah: Yes! You’re appearing in so many wonderful venues in the Midwest, East Coast and West Coast this fall so I’ll just second that, and tell our readers to do yourselves a favor and find Humbird in a town near you!
Next question: your recent single, “Help Me Willie Nelson!” Tell us about that song. It’s a co-write, correct? Do you co-write frequently?
Siri: Yes! That is a co-write with my dear pal Shane Leonard. I had the bones of the song, and together we really polished out a chorus and the form of the tune. It’s different than I normally write—way more lighthearted and goofy. I think that’s the beauty of co-writing; you can lean into each other's strengths and be delightfully surprised by where you end up.
Sarah: Yeah, that has been my experience as well. It’s a wonderful song, and I’m so glad the co-writing magic brought it out into the universe!
One last question, Siri! You just released a reimagining of your songs “Pharmakon” and “Persephone.” Can you tell us about those songs?
Siri Undlin of Humbird. Photo credit: Juliet Farmer.
Siri: It’s sort of this idea that songs are never fully done, and it’s kind of fun to just play with it. I think a lot of artists put pressure on themselves in the studio, like “this is it—we have to get it right…”
Sarah: Oh yes! I’ve said those very words!
Siri: It’s stressful—
Sarah: And also…expensive.
Siri: It’s expensive, and yeah—a lot of pressure, and I think, with that record having come out 5 years ago now—we still play those songs a lot, and they’ve changed over time. It felt really natural to record the version of those songs that we play all the time. The versions came out of a duo tour that bassist Pat Keen and I did this past spring.
Sarah: When did you write “Pharmakon”?
Siri: I think it was 2018, 2017 maybe? It’s a word that I learned when I was required to read Plato’s Republic…
Sarah: Oh God, yes! I, too, was required to read that—ha! It put me to sleep every night for the first trimester of my freshman year!
Siri: Yeah, Pharmakon is in that book. They talk about it as a concept that could be used in the ideal republic as something that could be a poison or a cure. It bounced around in my head for a while before it became a song. And without really understanding why, it’s a song that has opened a lot of doors for us over the last few years. So It feels like a special song, with a mind of its own. Like, I wrote it, we recorded it, we put it out, and it’s just kind of gone on its own little journey. It’s fun to keep it alive by re-recording it.
Listen to “Pharmakon (Reimagined)”
Pharmakon/Persephone (Reimagined) Credits:
Written by Shane Leonard, Siri Undlin
Produced and Performed by Siri Undlin, Pat Keen
Recorded by Holly Hansen, Salon Sonics Studios
AUTHOR: SARAH MORRIS
Sarah Morris. Photo credit: Tom Smouse.
Sarah Morris is a superfan of songs and the people who write them, and a believer that certain songs can change your life. A singer-songwriter / mama / bread maker / coffee drinker who recently released her fifth album of original material, she’s been known to joyfully sing with people in her Big Green Bathroom.
