Through the Sparks
Through the Sparks | |
|---|---|
 Through the Sparks, 2011. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Genres | Rock, Psychedelic, alternative rock |
| Years active | 2003 - present |
| Labels | Communicating Vessels |
| Members | Jody Nelson - vocals, guitar, piano, organ James Brangle - piano, organ, guitar Greg Slamen - bass guitar, piano, guitar, organ Shawn Avery - drums, vocals Nikolaus Mimikakis - guitar, vocals |
| Past members | Grey Watson Thomas Mimikakis Michael Shackelford Guest Horn Section: Chad Fisher - horn arrangements/trombone Gary Wheat - saxophone Omari Thomas - trumpet Guest Vocalists: Bo Butler - vocals Duquette Johnston - vocals Kate Taylor - vocals Janet Simpson - vocals Preston Lovinggood - vocals |
| Website | communicatingvessels |
Through The Sparks is an American, Birmingham, Alabama-based psychedelic/folk rock band, formed in 2003.[1] The band received critical success following the release of their first album, Lazarus Beach, in 2007. Their sound is often characterized by lush instrumentation and precise arrangements.[2] The band utilizes both traditional instruments and a variety of electric pianos, guitars, organs, eccentric percussion, horns and synthesizers.
[3][4] Until the March 2016 release of Transindifference (Communicating Vessels), Through the Sparks had remained on the independent label, Skybucket Records for their entire catalog which initiated with the EP, Coin Toss EP in 2005, followed by a limited edition collection of early demos called Audio Iotas: Scraps for the Human Ear later that year. The band's albums on Skybucket Records are Lazarus Beach released in 2007 and Worm Moon Waning released in 2010.
Almanac - MMX - Year of Beasts, "a collection of 12 singles released over the course of 2010, monthly,[5]" was released June 21, 2011. A year later Through The Sparks released the Alamalibu EP, named for their East Birmingham, Alabama recording studio, on June 19, 2012.[6]Alamalibu EP featured the single and video 'Angel Fix.'[7] A career spanning retrospective collection of live recordings, live-in-the-studio recordings, remixes and previously unreleased material titled Invisible Kids - was released digitally in January 2014.[8]
On March 18, 2016, Through the Sparks released their third album, Transindifference.
In late 2016, Through the Sparks released a digitally distributed single titled Meteors in Gorges which was produced by Birmingham-based producer Daniel Farris at the Communicating Vessels recording studio and HQ. The single featured a large group of female backing vocalists who were prominent Birmingham musicians and artists.
In 2018, Through the Sparks released their entire catalog on their bandcamp site, which included previously unreleased (or out of print) recordings.
Discography[edit]
Extended plays[edit]
| Title | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Coin Toss EP | Skybucket | 2005 |
| Alamalibu EP | Skybucket | 2012 |
Collections[edit]
| Title | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Iotas: Scraps For The Human Ear | Skybucket | 2005 |
| Almanac - (MMX) Year of Beasts [2010 Singles] | Skybucket | 2011 |
| Invisible Kids [Live + Studio Retrospective] | Skybucket | 2014 |
Studio albums[edit]
| Title | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Lazarus Beach | Skybucket | 2007 |
| Worm Moon Waning | Skybucket | 2010 |
| Transindifference | Communicating Vessels | 2016 |
Appearances on Other Compilations[edit]
| Album Title | Song Title | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Dose Exposure | Demons Respond | Skybucket | 2003 |
| Put Your Hand Down | Man Alive and Gap in the Spark | Skybucket | 2005 |
| Chords of Relief (Katrina Benefit) | Picture | Skybucket | 2005 |
| The Cornerstone Player No. 72 | Mexico (Every Last Buffalo) | Cornerstone Promotion | 2007 |
| Number 6 | The Final If And When | Vice | 2007 |
| Paste Magazine Sampler No. 32 | L. Roi | Paste Magazine | 2007 |
| Skybucket Spring / Summer Sampler 2011 | Statue Scared | Skybucket | 2011 |
References[edit]
- ^ "Through the Sparks Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ^ "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Pitchfork.
- ^ "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-15.
- ^ "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-25.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ "Through the Sparks: Alimalibu < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-22.
- ^ "CMJ - the Music Marathon". Cmj.com.
- ^ "Behind the Music: Through the Sparks members share a peek into their process and mindset as the band faces its 10-year anniversary. | AL.com". Archived from the original on 2014-08-26. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
External links[edit]
- Bandcamp Site
- Communicating Vessels, (Record Label)
- Feature on Birmingham Music Scene
- Jody Nelson "Birmingham Sessions" performance
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