Seattle, Washington-based indie Americana band the Soft Hills began in late 2007. The band recorded their debut EP, Painted World, in a nearby elementary school, putting to use many of the children's toy instruments. This EP was followed in 2010 by debut full-length Noruz. After some lineup changes, the band worked ceaselessly to develop their sound, cultivating a soft psych take on indie rock bearing elements in common with the sad slowcore of Red House Painters as well as contemporaries like Grizzly Bear or Fleet Foxes. In late 2011, the group began work on second full-length album, The Bird Is Coming Down to Earth. The record saw release in 2012. ~ Fred Thomas