Through the Sparks

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Through the Sparks
Through-the-Sparks-band.jpg
Through the Sparks, 2011
Background information
Origin Birmingham, Alabama, US
Genres Rock, Psychedelic, alternative rock
Years active2003–present
Labels Communicating Vessels
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
Website communicatingvessels.com/through-the-sparks

Through The Sparks is an American psychedelic/folk rock band, formed in 2003, in Birmingham, Alabama. [1] The band gained traction 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]

Contents

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 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. [5] Alamalibu EP featured the single and video "Angel Fix". [6] 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. [7]

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.

In 2022, Skybucket Records reissued Lazarus Beach for the first time on vinyl, with a package design by Roy Burns.

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
Lazarus Beach (Anniversary Vinyl Re-issue)Skybucket2022

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. "Through the Sparks Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic . Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  2. "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Pitchfork .
  3. "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010.
  4. "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012.
  5. "Through the Sparks: Alimalibu < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012.
  6. "CMJ - the Music Marathon". Cmj.com.
  7. "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 August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.