Seraphina Lotkhamnga on September 7th, 2011

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The Latebirds may be new to the music scene in the States, but the Helsinki, Finland-based quintet have gone quite far with their soul-laden folk-rock and ’60s pop harmonies. Earning spots on past tours with Wilco, Patti Smith and the Posies, the Latebirds finally hit these shores with their latest record, “Last Of The Good Ol’ Days.” The band, whose members include Janne Haavisto, Jussi Jaakonaho, Markus Nordenstreng, Mikko Mäkelä and Matti Pitsinki (Laika & the Cosmonauts’ former drummer and organist), teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Jim Scott (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty) for their U.S. debut that features appearances by Wilco’s Nels Cline, singer/actress Minnie Driver and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ keyboardist Benmont Tench. “Fearless,” the first track is a raw, classic rock and blues-tinged song about the Russian human rights activist/journalist Anna Politkovskaja. Although it’s centered around a dark subject, it’s a great example of the Latebirds’ knack for writing great hooks.

||| Download: “Fearless”

||| Live: The Latebirds play tonight at the Bootleg with Wheelhouse and Miracle Parade. The also do an in-store Friday at 6 p.m. at Amoeba.

Photo by Markku Lähdesmäki