Acclaimed singer-songwriter and classically trained multi-instrumentalist Bird (Janie Price) has released her latest single, "The Boy and The Swan." Out now as of January 23rd, 2026, the track serves as the third glimpse into her forthcoming EP, Strange As Folk.
A Mythic Fusion of Sound
Rooted in Bird’s signature blend of cinematic orchestral strings and indie-folk introspection, "The Boy and The Swan" explores a darker, "folk horror" aesthetic. Co-written with Jens Dolleslagers and viral Belgian star Aqua Riyaz, the track balances the intimacy of Americana with sweeping, dreamlike production.
The song utilizes a visceral metaphor to explore the cyclical nature of trauma. It depicts a boy scarred by bullying who, in his own pain, begins plucking the feathers from a swan. This haunting imagery reflects how individuals can pass on the wounds they have received, creating a linger effect even after a community has forgotten the original harm.
Bird on the Story Behind the Song
Speaking on the track, Bird shares: “I didn’t write ‘The Boy And The Swan’ for me. I had the bones of the idea for a song in a notebook and was introduced to a brilliant young Belgian artist Aqua Riyaz who was looking for writers to collaborate with. He told me about his experiences growing up and it helped me to shape the idea I had into this song.
While I originally wrote it specifically for him, I think the lyric has a more universal message. Whether people also have their own versions of the story in the song, or whether we just look at the world at large and how certain countries and communities are bullying each other right now, it feels like such an unfortunately relevant thing to be singing about.
I made the video for this track in Denmark with my incredibly talented friend Jorgen Callesen aka Miss Fish, who is a performance artist and runs an amazing space called Warehouse 9 in Copenhagen. It meant a lot to me to have him involved, as an LGBTQ+ activist he has helped a huge amount of marginalized artists work in the safe, non-judgemental, supportive space he and his partner created. So here’s to all the Swans out there...”
Bird on recent US tour
On her recently completed US tour, Bird shares "Touring in another country is always a privilege. And my recent string of dates in the USA was no exception to this..One thing I really love about American audiences is their curiosity. They love knowing what songs are about, they ask about the meaning of lyrics, (in particular The Boy and the Swan with it’s special narrative) and you can hear a pin drop in the room when you play to an appreciative American audience.”
Visual Artistry in Denmark
The release is accompanied by a striking performance film shot at a lakeside in Northern Denmark. The film features Danish performance artist Jorgen Callesen (Miss Fish) in a costume handcrafted from found swan feathers. The collaboration stems from Bird’s creative ties to Copenhagen dating back to her Erasmus years, resulting in a dance that captures the track's themes of fragility and transformation.
About the Artist
Based between London and Tuscany, Janie Price—known professionally as Bird—is a seasoned session musician and writer. Having started her cello training at age six, she has played for the likes of Emeli Sandé and Vanessa Mae. Her diverse songwriting credits include collaborations with John Paul White (The Civil Wars) and James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers).
With five albums already under her belt, including the award-winning soundtrack Wider Than The Sky, Bird continues to push the boundaries of modern folk with the Strange As Folk project.
The Boy and the Swan is out now.
Bird’s short film You Found A Friend in Elvis is showing at The Poppy and Bare Bones Festivals USA and The Bay Fesitval UK later this year.
She will be playing further US dates in March and releasing a limited edition vinyl album on June 26th supported by a string of UK live performances. See
www.birdofficial.com for details.
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