Sparkadia

Australian indie pop-rock act Sparkadia was originally formed in 2004 by Alex Burnett with friend and drummer Dave Hall, at that time under the moniker The Spark. Two more members were added to the band the next year, creating Sparkadia, and in 2008 the four-piece released Postcards in Australia. Following the release of Postcards, the group went on a world tour playing 200 shows in 18 months and sharing stages with Vampire Weekend, Pet Shop Boys, Hot Hot Heat, Jimmy Eat World, and more. Shortly after returning from their tour in May 2009, band members drifted apart for different reasons, leaving front man Burnett with just a band name.

The lack of band mates didn’t stop Burnett from carrying on with Sparkadia. After the split, Burnett traveled from Sydney to Berlin, Stockholm, New York, and Los Angeles, finally calling London his new home. Gaining inspiration from his international journey of discovery and self-realization, Burnett collaborated with songwriter/producer Mark Tieku (Florence and the Machine) in the spring of 2010 to create the debut album, The Great Impression, from the new incarnation of Sparkadia. Burnett played almost all instruments on the album, which included the use of gongs, metal scaffolding, and scrap metal as cymbals.

Sparkadia’s 12 track debut was released on OK!Good Records in 2011, and showcases Burnett’s great skill in songwriting. The album seamlessly melds 80’s style synth lines and sprawling, anthemic choruses with evocative lyrics to form a record that is heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. “I wanted to write big songs”, says Burnett. “I wanted to go there on The Great Impression and see what would happen. It felt right.”

For more information, visit Sparkadia’s website: http://www.sparkadia.com.au

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