Through The Sparks is an American psychedelic/folk rock band, formed in 2003, in Birmingham, Alabama. 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. The band utilizes both traditional instruments and a variety of electric pianos, guitars, organs, eccentric percussion, horns and synthesizers.
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. Alamalibu EP featured the single and video "Angel Fix". 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.
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 Title Label Year Coin Toss EP Skybucket 2005 Alamalibu EP Skybucket 2012
Collections 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 Title Label Year Lazarus Beach Skybucket 2007 Worm Moon Waning Skybucket 2010 Transindifference Communicating Vessels 2016 Lazarus Beach (Anniversary Vinyl Re-issue) Skybucket 2022
Appearances on Other Compilations 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
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