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Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Andrew Bird picked up his first violin at the age of 4 and spent his formative years soaking up classical repertoire completely by ear. Though classically trained, he has instead opted to play his violin in a most unconventional manner, accompanying himself, adding singing and whistling to the equation, and becoming a pop songwriter in the process. Armed with a violin, an electric guitar, a glockenspiel, and a sampler, Bird's shows achieve a rare mixture of both spontaneity and precision, and his unnatural whistling ability has set him apart as a truly unique artist.