Sparks

By the late '70s, brothers Ron and Russell Mael were at an impasse. Their outlandish and theatrical glam rock band Sparks had achieved notable success earlier in the decade when they moved from Los Angeles to England and released a string of oversexed, over-produced, over-the-top albums that would be some of their best-received work, starting with 1974's stellar (and ridiculous) Kimono My House. Things quickly cooled off after a couple years, however, as the brothers returned to their native Los Angeles, reconfigured their backing band, and put out one disappointing record after another. With poor record sales, a dwindling fan base and their fate in the balance, they made a bold about face. Disco was in full swing, and Italian producer Giorgio Moroder was one of the principle voices of the genre, visible for both hits under his own name and his iconic production on Donna Summer's 1977 number one hit "I Feel Love." In 1978, Sparks and Moroder began work on what would become No. 1 in Heaven, abandoning rock and guitars for synthesizers, sequencers, and disco beats.

SOMM RECORDINGS is delighted to announce the debut recording of composer-pianist Iain Farrington’s Art Deco Trio, featuring 15 new instrumental arrangements blending classical and jazz influences of songs by George Gershwin.

Beachwood Sparks pioneered the indie-country genre, pushing Americana into experimental territories with their fusion of twangy country vibes and psychedelic sounds. Their unique niche in the indie music landscape is marked by ethereal melodies and introspective lyrics, influencing countless artists and shaping the "weirder" side of Americana music. With the release of "Across The River Of Stars" in 2024, their legacy as genre innovators continues to grow, solidifying their place as trailblazers in the indie-country movement.Their albums "Beachwood Sparks," "Once We Were Trees," and "The Tarnished Gold," released under Sub Pop Records, have earned widespread critical acclaim. Each album showcases their distinctive blend of psychedelic country, praised for dreamy melodies, lush instrumentation, and evocative songwriting. Their self-titled debut established them as indie-country innovators, while "Once We Were Trees" further solidified their reputation with introspective lyrics and ethereal soundscapes. "The Tarnished Gold" continued their legacy, displaying musical growth while maintaining timeless appeal.

With It's Just Me, his 18th release for long-time label Rebel Records, Bluegrass Hall of Famer Larry Sparks makes the bold decision to step away from a full band sound and let's his guitar and voice be the sole (or perhaps "soul") focus. He has curated an intimate, thoughtful collection of songs that deal with cherished loved ones, love denied, the power of faith, and a simpler, less encumbered way of life.

Beachwood Sparks pioneered the indie-country genre, pushing Americana into experimental territories with their fusion of twangy country vibes and psychedelic sounds. Their unique niche in the indie music landscape is marked by ethereal melodies and introspective lyrics, influencing countless artists and shaping the "weirder" side of Americana music. With the release of "Across The River Of Stars" in 2024, their legacy as genre innovators continues to grow, solidifying their place as trailblazers in the indie-country movement.Their albums "Beachwood Sparks," "Once We Were Trees," and "The Tarnished Gold," released under Sub Pop Records, have earned widespread critical acclaim. Each album showcases their distinctive blend of psychedelic country, praised for dreamy melodies, lush instrumentation, and evocative songwriting. Their self-titled debut established them as indie-country innovators, while "Once We Were Trees" further solidified their reputation with introspective lyrics and ethereal soundscapes. "The Tarnished Gold" continued their legacy, displaying musical growth while maintaining timeless appeal.

Musical mavericks Sparks - Californian brothers Ron and Russell Mael – will release their 22nd studio album ‘Hippopotamus’ in 2017. Described as “the smartest, most consistently evolving band in the history of rock”, and internationally acclaimed as pop pioneers, Sparks are name-checked as a major influence on musicians as varied as Morrissey, Bjork, The Ramones, Faith No More, Sonic Youth, and Nirvana. Sparks’ music has always been innovative and instantly identifiable. Recorded in Los Angeles, ‘Hippopotamus’ sees them take the pop form, shake it up, and create an album that is adventurous, fresh and idiosyncratically ‘Sparks’.

'The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte' marks Sparks' first release on the venerable Island Records label in close to five decades, following such classics as 1974's landmark Kimono 'My House', highlighted of course by the indelible hit single 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us'.

Ludovica Burtone is an Italian violinist with an incomparable wealth of musical experiences and a sound that transcends categorization. Her vast compositional oeuvre extends from classical quartets to Brazilian music and contemporary jazz.

Sparks, brothers Ron and Russell Mael, are back with their 28th album 'MAD!' on May 23rd 2025, their first release with Transgressive Records. Most acts, by their seventh decade in the biz, would have slowed to a crawl, creakily playing their past hits on the heritage circuit and releasing nothing more than the occasional Greatest Hits collection. This is not the case for Sparks, who have triumphantly returned yet again, proving their resilience and relevance in a modern world with a fresh record and summer world tour to accompany it.

Sparks, brothers Ron and Russell Mael, are back with their 28th album 'MAD!' on May 23rd 2025, their first release with Transgressive Records. Most acts, by their seventh decade in the biz, would have slowed to a crawl, creakily playing their past hits on the heritage circuit and releasing nothing more than the occasional Greatest Hits collection. This is not the case for Sparks, who have triumphantly returned yet again, proving their resilience and relevance in a modern world with a fresh record and summer world tour to accompany it.