Leralynn Buettner's got a lot on her plate these days. Besides completing her studies for a degree in anthropology at the University of Georgia (where she says she's "changed majors about five times"), she's working late into the night as a bartender at The Chapel on College Square. And whenever Buettner - who goes by Leralynn - has any downtime from school and work, she immerses herself in her band Birds & Wire, which has been playing in Athens for about a year and will be one of the featured artists at the Melting Point's "Uncorked & Unplugged" songwriter series on Wednesday. "I've taken time off in the past to focus on music, but I returned to school this fall," says Leralynn, who will also perform on Sept. 21 at the Melting Point in support of Brian Connell at his CD release show. "Even though I'm pretty busy, I can still find ways to take it easy. I don't have a TV though, so I don't waste time that way." Although at first blush Birds & Wire seem to go for an ethereal, delicate approach, thanks in no small part to Leralynn's smoldering vocal tone, the music also encompasses jazz-like structures and has also been known to get a little aggressive. "I like to describe the music as being dynamic," says Leralynn, whose band recently performed at the historic Morton Theatre as part of the Athens 441 week of shows recorded for later broadcast. "There are plenty of whispers, brushes and subtle things, but you can also wind up hearing crashing cymbals and distorted guitars in the same song. "I want my choruses to really take your breath away. There's definitely a country influence in what I do and I use a lot of alternate tunings on my guitar, which provides a lot of dissonance. There are a lot of jazzy chords." Birds & Wire not only features Leralynn's captivating singing and writing, but the revolving membership of the band represents an impressive crew of Classic City instrumentalists. Among the top guns are Marlon Patton (Squat, Grogus, Heavy Mojo) who plays drums and who recorded Birds & Wire's soon-to-be-released (and yet untitled) CD at his Atlanta studio, bassist Robby Handley (Kenosha Kid), and Neal Fountain (Fiji Mariners, Megaphone Man, Herring/Rogers/Sipe), who plays bass and guitar. "These guys are versatile players," says Leralynn, whose influences spread from Hank Williams and Patsy Cline to the Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Sade, who "really influenced the way I sang - smooth and polished, although now I seem to be running away from that." For her Wednesday date at the Melting Point, Leralynn will be accompanied by Handley and her original Birds & Wire partner, Porch to the People guitarist Joel Byron, who is returning to the fold for an undetermined length of time. "When I first played music here, I collaborated with Joel Byron - I had my six or seven songs and he had his songs and we got together," she says. "He's married with a child, so he's gone off in another direction but I'm so excited he's going to play pedal steel with us. It should be an interesting night. It probably won't be a constant thing, but maybe I can squeeze another show out of him at Flicker." Because Byron will be part of the show, Leralynn says she can dip a little deeper into Birds & Wire's back catalog. "I think we will pull out some older songs, because Joel is a wonderful harmony singer," she says. "It'll be stripped down and intimate. Because it's a songwriter showcase, I'm supposed to talk a little about my songs, but some of these songs hit pretty close to home, and a lot of them are pretty deep and pretty sad. But I have a couple of happy songs - I don't want to bring anyone down. But it's important to me that people have taken an interest in my lyrics." --Chris Starrs of Athens Banner Herald

BIRDS & WIRE Sanford's Drive Independently Released The songs of Birds & Wire are driven by the voice and lyrics of songwriter Leralynn. Although she is backed by respected Athens musicians Neal Fountain, Marlon Patton and Robby Handley, the record feels more like a solo project, and that has everything to do with her outstanding skill - not the weakness of any supporting players. Leralynn's full-bodied, crystal clear voice rings with the same magnetism of Neko Case or Jenny Lewis. Even when she sings of heartbreak and struggle, there is a warmth that pulls you; you can almost feel the tickle of static as her whispers cling to your ears. Even within the span of this brief five-song EP, Leralynn is able to create an enveloping sense of intimacy. With her insight and eloquence, she seems wise and nurturing. You want to tell her your stories, share your troubles, and have her sing it back to you with all the answers. Perhaps Leralynn can draw in listeners so easily because she shares so much of herself. Even within the upbeat chorus of opening track "On the Line," there is a permeating depth of emotion. First she sings with an air of flippant confidence: "And all the times you tried to tell me what it was I wasn't doing / I somehow never heard a word." Then, just when you think she's above influence, her vulnerability is revealed as she pleads, "So let me call you on the phone and cry so I won't feel alone." Spend an hour with Birds & Wire, and you might find your own confidante in these tunes. Michelle Gilzenrat