Jules is backed by a band for the new set, Gary Jules And The Group Rules, comprising a number of Jules' collaborators from Los Angeles's Hotel Cafe cohort: Al Sgro (vocals, drums, percussion, synthesizers), Heather Brown-Dodge (vocals), Adam Grace (piano), Ben Peeler (lapsteel, weisenborn, and electric guitars), Ed Maxwell (electric and upright bass, keys, synthesizers), and Will Golden (acoustic guitar, synthesizers, bass guitar), with appearances by Pedestrian's Joel Shearer (electric guitar), Jason "Pip" Pipkin (drums) and Gabriel Mann (piano and organ). Bird also features a duet, "Been A Long Time," Jules' friend and frequent touring partner Jim Bianco.

Jules will support the new release with an appearance on KCRW-FM's esteemed program "Morning Becomes Eclectic" with host Nic Harcourt on Friday, November 21, followed by a four-week, Tuesday night residency at Hotel Cafe beginning November 25 (as well as a San Francisco date at Cafe Du Nord on December 3). In February and March 2009, Jules will support all dates on a West Coast tour with singer/songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter.

"Playing at the Hotel Cafe is a family reunion for me," says Jules. "I got my start just as the venue was doing the same, with the 'Tuesdays at the Hotel' residency, and all the musicians on this record are people I met and played with there. It's like playing in my living room, so I'm really excited to be doing a month there to introduce this new album."

Gary Jules and the Group Rules - "Bird" tracklist:
1. Beautiful
2. My Familiar
3. The Road Beside the Highway
4. Dreaming By Needle and Gun
5. Ghosts in the Cotton
6. Goodnight Billie
7. Been a Long Time (feat. Jim Bianco)
8. Little Greenie
9. The Old Days Are Gone

Gary Jules Tour Dates

2008
Nov 21 - KCRW "Morning Becomes Eclectic" interview & performance (89.9 FM in L.A., KCRW.com everywhere)
Nov 25 - Hollywood, CA - Hotel Cafe
Dec 2 - Hollywood, CA - Hotel Cafe
Dec 3 - San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord
Dec 9 - Hollywood, CA - Hotel Cafe
Dec 16 - Hollywood, CA - Hotel Cafe