The Sparrows Fly Onward &Upwards

Thu 2nd Mar, 2006 in Features

Melbourne band The Sparrows recently fled their nest for the first time and played in Sydney. It was far from home and the four-piece had never played there before, but vocalist and guitarist Michael Badger reckons their gigs went down well. “I think most people just came along to enjoy the music, not to judge us. It was kind of relaxing getting out of Melbourne and playing in a different city where no-one has any expectations.”

So if they’d never been out of Melbourne, how did punters even know about The Sparrows? “A lot of them had heard us on our myspace site. Actually we were really surprised how many people turned up and we got a really good reaction. We’ve got an official site but I guess I see that myspace site as our site, because we do all the stuff on it. We’re pretty much on it every night putting up info and replies.” A combination of that site the vibrancy of their live shows is what has earned The Sparrows their popularity.

According to Michael, that live reputation is also what got them signed. “Yeah, that was pretty much what got us in – contrary to popular belief and what some other people have written,” he says, sounding slightly bitter about mutterings that it was actually the band’s connections to Glenn Wheatley that gave them a leg up. “We didn’t have any releases before this one, so we had to get people along to gigs to hear us before anyone signed us. We’re still proud of it (the EP), but it was recorded in August last year so it’s taken a while to get out there and we’ve developed our sound since then. We’ve got back to our roots and what we’re influenced by.” Which is? “The more bluesy, early stuff.” Ah – I guess that could explain why The Sparrows are playing at the Byron Bay Blues and Roots Festival over Easter. “Yeah, that should be really good. I’ve never been to Byron Bay so I’m definitely looking forward to it.” Michael says he is particularly looking forward to seeing the work of Bob Evans who, he explains to this ill-informed scribe, is the alter-ego of Jebediah frontman, Kevin Mitchell. “Yeah apparently he sings under another name when he does his solo stuff. That should be good.”

After Bluesfest the boys will hit the Apollo Bay Festival alongside Donavon Frankenreiter, The Herd and Pete Murray. With the March 11 release of their self-titled EP approaching, the band may not yet be looking at a comprehensive national tour but are happy to ‘play any gig’. After that it’s back to the grindstone to record their upcoming album. “I think we’ll start recording after the Apollo Festival. We’re probably doing a tour up the coast on the way (to Byron Bay). I think there’s a few dates pencilled in up there. Apart from that, yeah just working on the album. We’re hoping to have that out by August this year.” Going on the sounds on their EP, including the radio-friendly ‘Where do you want to go?’ and acoustic About My Game (both of which sound like they could make the soundtrack of a teen television drama), the future’s looking good for The Sparrows. See them fly into the Blues and Roots Festival at Byron Bay which runs from April 13 – 17 and at the Apollo Bay Music Festival from April 21 – 23.