DARKBIRD
Coming soon
© 2026 Hearty Films

Darkbird is a feature-length documentary following Austin indie band Darkbird through the highs, setbacks, humor, and uncertainty of building a life around music. Filmed over two years, the project captures the energy of performance and the quieter offstage moments that reveal what it takes to keep a creative dream alive.

Status
The project is currently in production and early post-production. Principal observational filming has been completed across two years, with additional final interviews planned.

Genre
Documentary / Docu-drama

Staring

Kelly Barnes

Brian Cole

Chris Spencer

Ethan Yeager

Damien Howard

Eric Wilson

Rob Pascolo

Team

Brad Feeser: Director / Producer / Editor

Stephen Boidock: Producer

Anne Marie Boidock: Producer

Alyce Zawacki: Legal Counsel

For partnerships, distribution conversations, or project inquiries:

Contact Brad

BAND BIOGRAPHY

"I WANTED TO BE HERE, I WANTED TO BEHAVE, BUT IT'S SO HARD TONIGHT"

Lyrics to the first song Kelly and Brian would ever write together set the stage for the romantic waterloo that would become Darkbird. Kelly Barnes left Los Angeles after a broken marriage resulted in a broken band. Just prior to the move, she unexpectedly hit international success, as the vocalist on the massive hit “Get Shaky” with the late DJ Ian Carey. While the track and a few others were financially significant to the ex-wife and waitress, Kelly was ready to explore another path that was more personally expressive.

After a tragic house fire in NYC, Brian Cole opted for a fresh start. As his belongings smoldered in the winter snow, he decided to pack up what was left and head south in search of warmer days and better luck. Ironically, while most go to LA or NYC to make their dreams come true, Brian and Kelly found each other on the musician page on Craigslist in Austin, TX. While they had hoped to leave their pasts behind, inevitably, the heartbreaks found a place they call home in Darkbird.

Darkbird is:

Kelly Barnes // Brian Cole // Chris Spencer // Ethan Yeager // Damien Howard // Eric Wilson

PRESS

- 'Heartbeat' Music Video - https://youtu.be/getQz42pO54

- Sold Out EP Release Show @ 3TEN ACL Live (April, 2022)