Retrovision: Sparks - When Do I Get to Sing "My Way"

Thirty years ago, Sparks released one of their standout hits from the 90s, "When Do I Get to Sing 'My Way'". Known for their ability to seamlessly adapt to musical trends, Sparks transitioned from Moroder Disco in the 70s to Synth-pop in the 80s, and by the 90s, they embraced the popular Euro Dance sound. The song is a reference to Frank Sinatra's iconic "My Way" and found its place on their album Gratuitous Sax & Senseless Violins.

WAW: Sparks - The Existential Threat

Sparks have revealed a new video for yet another song from their latest studio album A Steady Drip, Drip, Drip released in May. The video for the song "The Existential Threat" was animated and  directed by Cyriak. 

Sparks Announce New Album and Tour

Sparks are back with a brand new studio album. Appearing on BBC Six Music, Ron and Russel said that the new album will be entitled 'Hippopotamus' and it will be released in September. A video for the title track has also been announced and you can watch it below. The band has also announced the first run of European Tour starting in August.

WAW: FFS- Piss Off

As you already saw on our blog earlier this year, we reported about the new Sparks-Franz Ferdinand collaboration called FFS. Their album is out now on Domino Records and the creative units FFS who perfectly meet with their sounds have reveled two new videos for the singles "Piss Off" and "Johnny Delusional" which were released in April and May. The band has embarked on a big European tour and you might find them in the city close to you.

 

October Singles Round-Up

1.A Place To Bury Strangers- "And I'm Up"

2.Still Corners- "Fireflies"

3.Parralox- "Sharper Than A Knife" (Pete Hammond Remix)

4.Sparks- "Two Hands One Mouth"

5.Tindersticks- "This Fire of Autumn"

6.Mushy feat. A.R.Kane- "My Life So Far"

7. Tracey Thorn- "In The Cold, Cold Night"

8. Peter Godwin- "Sky Falls"

9. Pet Shop Boys- "Leaving"

10. Bat for Lashes- "All Your Gold"

Sparks' 'Two Hands, One Mouth' - New Single and Tour

Sparks' 'Two Hands One Head' tour (European Leg) kicked off this week as the duo was playing their first dates in the Baltic Region. The tour which was officially started in London, on June 13th, will see them deconstruct and reinterpret songs from their own extensive and unique catalogue. Their brand new single "Two Hands One Mouth" is out this week.

Sparks' Greatest Hits (1979-1984) to be Featured on 'Sparks Shortcuts' and 'Sparks Extended' Compilation

'Repertoire' have announced the release of a brand new Sparks compilation set which includes their greatest hits released from 1979 to 1984. 'Sparks - Shortcuts' is the title of the first two disc sets and it includes A & B-sides from early hits like "Beat The Clock" and "The Number One Song In Heaven" through to their biggest American hit single "Cool Places" performed with Jane Wiedlin. The second set of discs is entitled 'Sparks - Extended' and it is a collection of 12-inch versions of Sparks’ work which features the best versions from the various labels Sparks inhabited and the countries in which they were released. 

The compilation is announced for August, the purchase links coming soon. 

 www.repertoirerecords.com
 

Gemma Ray Sings Sparks with Sparks

Gemma Ray has teamed up with Sparks for a collaboration. The British singer takes on two Sparks songs in her own noir style, but in true maverick fashion Ron & Russell Mael have taken these two Ray-styled interpretations, and re-built them Sparks-style! Over the next weeks these songs will be revealed while a video for “How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall?” is already streaming on Youtube. The single is now available to buy on 7″ and digital download.

http://gemmaray.tv

80's Duets: Sparks & Jane Wiedlin- Cool Places

As a big fan of Sparks in the early 80's Jane Wiedlin recorded a duet with Ron and Russel in 1983. The song "Cool Places" was taken form Sparks' album "In Outer Space" which remained their biggest hit in the USA. Wiedlin also helped promote the album on tour and appeared at a few gigs to perform the duets.

The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman

Sparks' Ron and Russell Mael have been commissioned by the Swedish National Public radio Sveriges Radio to write and produce an original radio musical. Sparks’ creation, "The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman," is a musical fantasy based on the internationally acclaimed film director Ingmar Bergman.
The radio musical will be broadcast in Sweden in August 2009. An album with the original Swedish version will be released as a limited edition in Sweden. An English version will subsequently be released internationally...

Source:
The Seduction Of Ingmar Bergman

http://www.allsparks.com/

Instant Hit: Sparks- My Other Voice

"My Other Voice" was one of the outstanding tracks on the Sparks' album No1 Song in Heaven which was released in 1979. Although perfectly produced with electronic Cymbols and was one of the outstanding tracks on the album, it was never released as single. The whole album was produced by Giorgio Moroder.

Sparks- Exotic Creatures Of The Deep

'Exotic Creatures of the Deep' is the twenty-first album by Sparks which is going to be released on May, 19th. It is to be preceded by the single "Good Morning" on May, 12th 2008. The album is to be promoted by a record-setting twenty-one date residency from May 16 to June 13 at London's Carling Islington Academy. The group plan to play each one of their twenty-one albums. 'Exotic Creatures Of The Deep' will be premiered on the final night at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire.