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

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.

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

Discography

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Extended plays

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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
Lazarus Beach (Anniversary Vinyl Re-issue) Skybucket 2022

Appearances on Other Compilations

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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

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  1. ^ "Through the Sparks Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  2. ^ "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Pitchfork.
  3. ^ "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-15.
  4. ^ "Through the Sparks: Lazarus Beach". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-25.
  5. ^ [1] [dead link]
  6. ^ "Through the Sparks: Alimalibu < PopMatters". Popmatters.com. Archived from the original on 2012-06-22.
  7. ^ "CMJ - the Music Marathon". Cmj.com.
  8. ^ "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.
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