Through the Sparks

Through The Sparks is a Birmingham, Alabama-based psychedelic/folk rock band formed in 2003.[1] The band received critical success following the release of their first full-length LP, 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.

Through the Sparks
Through the Sparks, 2011.
Background information
OriginBirmingham, Alabama
GenresRock, Psychedelic, alternative rock
Years active2003 - present
LabelsCommunicating Vessels
Websitecommunicatingvessels.com/through-the-sparks/
MembersJody 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 membersGrey 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

[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 full-length records 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 3rd full-length 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

Extended Plays
TitleLabelYear
Coin Toss EPSkybucket2005
Alamalibu EPSkybucket2012

Collections
TitleLabelYear
Audio Iotas: Scraps For The Human EarSkybucket2005
Almanac - (MMX) Year of Beasts [2010 Singles]Skybucket2011
Invisible Kids [Live + Studio Retrospective]Skybucket2014

Studio Albums
TitleLabelYear
Lazarus BeachSkybucket2007
Worm Moon WaningSkybucket2010
TransindifferenceCommunicating Vessels2016

Appearances on Other Compilations
Album TitleSong TitleLabelYear
Low Dose ExposureDemons RespondSkybucket2003
Put Your Hand DownMan Alive and Gap in the SparkSkybucket2005
Chords of Relief (Katrina Benefit)PictureSkybucket2005
The Cornerstone Player No. 72Mexico (Every Last Buffalo)Cornerstone Promotion2007
Number 6The Final If And WhenVice2007
Paste Magazine Sampler No. 32L. RoiPaste Magazine2007
Skybucket Spring / Summer Sampler 2011Statue ScaredSkybucket2011

References
  1. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p704053/biography
  2. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/10164-lazarus-beach/
  3. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/through-the-sparks-lazarus-beach1/
  4. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/through-the-sparks-lazarus-beach/
  5. http://www.skybucket.com/bands_through.the.sparks.php
  6. http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/158404-through-the-sparks-alimalibu/
  7. http://www.cmj.com/news/video-premiere-through-the-sparks-angel-fix/
  8. http://www.al.com/bhammag/index.ssf/music/behind_the_music_through_the_s.html


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