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Features - Interview
 Red Sparowes Interview by Sean B | August 5th, 2008
Only a few years have past since the California-based ensemble known as Red Sparowes burst onto the instrumental scene with their acclaimed debut At the Soundless Dawn. Yet in that short time the band has gone on to tour internationally, release a second full-length album, a live album, and just recently lost and gained a guitarist. Combining multi-layered dynamics with epic song structure and their signature pedal-steel, few can deny the monumental musical presence crafted by Red Sparowes.
Last month the band released their latest effort called Aphorisms, a three-track EP that features new guitarist Brendan Tobin and showcases a moderate departure from their previous albums. Drummer Dave Clifford spoke with us about this new EP, and offered his insights on the nature of digital releases, the band’s updated sound and their future plans.
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SF: One of your guitarists, Josh Graham, recently left the band. What effect has his departure had on Red Sparowes as a group?
Dave Clifford: Josh leaving the band has, honestly, had a very positive effect on the group. Everyone feels a greater commitment to the band, and it's opened up the music that we're writing in many ways. We have replaced him with our new guitarist, Brendan Tobin of Made Out of Babies. Brendan was a natural choice, since he's toured with us many times already -- when RS toured with MOoB, then he tour managed us, then he did three tours (US and Europe) with us filling in for Cliff while Isis was on tour at the same time -- and he fits in with the group perfectly. He played guitar and co-wrote the songs on the new EP with us as well.
SF: Aphorisms is notably different from your previous two albums. It’s less dark-sounding and also seems to be a bit more simple and/or direct in approach. Were these changes a conscious move on your part? Do you think Red Sparowes has evolved considerably since your formation?
Dave: I don't agree that it's less dark sounding, really. But, it is certainly not as heavy. That was kind of the purpose of the EP, because those songs were different from the songs for the next album and they could stand alone as a complete whole. I'd say that those three new songs are more anthemic and occasionally somber. And, I think that they seem to echo the more melodic sound of the first album, while retaining the more rhythmically explorative sound of Every Red Heart... Though the music is continuing to evolve and change, Aphorisms is not intended to represent a "new direction," it is merely a collection of songs that fit well together and serve as a precursor to the next album, both musically and thematically.
SF: Your trademark pedal-steel seems lacking on this new EP. Will that be making a comeback in later releases?
Dave: Yes, there is pedal steel on the new EP, though it's pretty subtle…There's pedal steel in the song, "The Fear is Excruciating, but Therein Lies the Answer." And, we most definitely intend to continue prominently featuring Greg's pedal steel playing on future releases. We've already got two pedal steel-based songs for the next album!
SF: Each of your albums seems to have had a strong underlying concept or thematic element that you generally express through your lengthy song titles. At the Soundless Dawn was a more apocalyptic story, while Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Red Sun was based on the Great Leap Forward by Mao Zedong. Is there such a prominent story behind Aphorisms? If so, can you shed any light on what it might be?
Dave: Yes. Aphorisms has an underlying theme, just like the previous two albums. However, it is related to the theme of the next album, and for that reason, we're saving the full explanation of the concept until that album is ready for release. Suffice to say, the theme is a bit more extensive and elaborate, relating to phases of evolution, science, errors, entelechies and biological imperatives. And, with enough creative investigation, the notion of the EP title and song titles ought to reveal a hint of the full story to come.
SF: You decided to release Aphorisms digitally before the vinyl and CD versions. What was/were the motive(s) for doing this?
Dave: We decided to release the EP digitally so soon before the vinyl/CD versions simply because it was possible to do so! We were going on tour throughout July, so it made sense to have the new music available to coincide with the live dates. The reason that the physical releases won't be out for a while longer is that we wanted it to be a special package worth owning, rather than just a simple disc. The Aphorisms 12"/CD will be accompanied by a DVD of new original videos shot specifically for the songs on the EP. These will be different from the visual projections that we use at live shows, and follow more of a narrative direction that elaborates on the themes of the EP and the next album.
SF: Have people been paying up more frequently, or still just pirating it like always?
Dave: The digital EP has sold well on iTunes and Amazon, but it also "leaked" a few days early and has consistently shown up on myriad file sharing blogs. While it's somewhat frustrating that people can't pay a meager $2.97 for the EP, but it's definitely nice to see so many people taking interest in downloading and checking it out.
SF: What’s currently on the horizon for Red Sparowes? More touring? Another new album?
Dave: We just completed two weeks of festival and club dates in Europe and the UK and will play Chicago on July 27th at the Wicker Park Festival. We have some very exciting offers on the table for shows in the Fall, so we'll be announcing those soon. In the meantime, we'll continue working on songs for the next album, which we hope to have out by early 2009.
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- Check out Red Sparowes at the band's Official MySpace
- Download Aphorisms DRM-free from Amazon
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