Sparrows

With social media and the advent of sophisticated recording software, it can be easy for a band to miss out on actually being a “band.” More and more often, bedroom-style one-man shows are gaining popularity, writing and recording electronic songs all from a laptop. Sparrows began as four guys playing rock music in a basement in Canada and nothing has really changed.

Vocalist/guitarist Daniel Thomson, drummer Rem Macleod, guitarist/vocalist Devlin Morton and bassist Brandon Desjardins wrote Sparrows’ debut release, the Goliath EP, in summer and fall of 2010, the old-fashioned way. Writing songs in a basement, demoing them over and over again, learning and re-learning the tracks through live performances, Sparrows finally recorded Goliath in February 2011 with Kenny Bridges of Moneen behind the boards as recorder, mixer and producer.

The Moneen similarities are aplenty when you listen to Goliath, but what stands out most is a thudding, face-to-the-pavement intensity in the songs. Passion like this isn’t something found in all music – it’s not something that can be assembled online. It’s something that arises from the sweat and companionship of songwriting. Goliath is huge – its songs back up its name.

Taking as much from older Hot Water Music as it does from Thrice, Sparrows is still working on its craft. The Goliath EP saw a Canadian release in May 2011, and it will be coming out in the U.S. on cassette via Paper + Plastick Records on August 7, 2012. Shortly following this release will be a two-song EP featuring two brand-new songs.

In its short career-so-far, Sparrows has toured Eastern Canada extensively, highlighted by a direct support slot on This Is A Standoff’s final Canadian tour. The band has also shared the stage with acts such as Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Pianos Become The Teeth, Xerxes, A Wilhelm Scream, O’Brother, Tigers Jaw, Hot Water Music, Defeater, and more.

thrice, thursday, moneen