Named after a poor English translation of a Salvador Dali painting, Virgin of the Birds treads a line between intimate, lo-fi pop and the occasional grandeur of early art rock. Songwriter Jon Rooney has written, recorded and performed as Virgin of the Birds in both solo and band configurations, releasing two LPs on Song, By Toad Records in the UK and Abandoned Love Records in the US, several of EPs on Abandoned Love and contributions to numerous compilations on labels like Perpetual Doom, Fox Box Records, Beep Repaired and Ok, Pal Records.
Now, after a long hiatus, he is back with two new songs: Telephone Songs is out today.

What he says: “I wrote and recorded both An Archer and I Walked with Fergie as part of the TELEPHONE project, a global game in which artists interpret and respond to a piece with a piece of their own. With both songs, I was prompted by visual art and pulled together ideas pretty quickly and loosely. At the time of their creation, An Archer felt like a sad song and I Walked with Fergie felt more confidently defiant but now I’m not so sure. Though I have, and always will, feel compelled to defend Lou Reed’s Lulu album. We need all the ideas we can get. “

“TELEPHONE is a game played by artists that works like the children’s game: Seattle artist Nathan Langston Director, is the heart and hands behind this ambitious, sprawling project. I Walked with Fergie was prompted by an illustration by Edward Lang-Whiston that I received in the 2025 game that included work by1,395 artists from around the world. The 2025 TELEPHONE project can be found here. An Archer was prompted by a painting by Enda O’Donoghue that I received in the 2020 game that included work by 795 artists from around the world. The 2020 TELEPHONE project can be found here.

Telephone Songs is out now via Abandoned Love Records. Look HERE for more information on Virgin Of The Birds.