They have been a fixture of the Illawarra music scene since 2013, have opened the show for greats like Midnight Oil, but you wouldn't have heard Shining Bird on commercial radio.
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The seven-piece is putting the finishing touches on their forthcoming album, Deadlands, and also preparing for live shows next month.
While some of their melodies are reminiscent of '80s dream-pop band The Church, the majority of songs on the new record play longer than 10 minutes.
"We've definitely done longer songs in the past, but with this album we really wanted to showcase what we do live," keyboardist Russ Webster said, "which are kind of like extended jams."
The first single from the album was released in May last year, coinciding with the gig of a lifetime - opening the show for Midnight Oil at Anita's Theatre in Thirroul.
"[Oil's guitarist] Jim Moginie lives in Wombarra, and someone invited him to one of our shows ... and it went from there," Webster said.
Despite getting the chance to rub shoulders with Australian rock royalty, you'll mostly hear the sounds of Shining Bird on community or independent radio stations.
But Webster said they're not doing what they do for the fame - they all still have day jobs - it's about creating art and getting that out to the public.
Deadlands will be the first album they've recorded as an entire band. Previously the initial construction would be formed mainly by Webster, Dane Taylor and Alistair Webster, with the rest filling in the blanks when needed.
"The first two albums were kind of studio projects that we took to the band ... this was live, nearly all in one take," the keyboardist said.
"The mood is a lot darker and dealing with more darker heavy subject matter."
Shining Bird will play La La La's in Wollongong on October 16, and The Lansdowne in Sydney on October 17.
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