Beachwood Sparks | Artist
Beachwood Sparks is an American alternative country band formed 1997 in Los Angeles by Brent Rademaker (bass, vocals), Chris Gunst (guitar, vocals), Dave Scher (slide guitar, steel guitar, keyboards, vocals), Jimi Hey (drums, vocals), Pete "Sleigher" Kinne (percussion) and Josh Schwartz (guitar). Their shimmering twang-pop melodies and gorgeous harmonies drew comparisons to the late 1960s' Laurel Canyon country-rock of The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and Gram Parsons. An article in The Daily Telegraph on America's underground psychedelic pop scene described Beachwood Sparks as "country through a kaleidoscope". Their self-titled debut album was released in 2001, followed by Once We Were Trees the following year. After that the band mostly concentrated on other projects. Gunst formed Mystic Chords of Memory, and Brent Rademaker, sometimes with Gunst and Scher, plays in The Tyde and also in Frausdots. Hey and Scher released an album as All Night Radio. In March 2007, Scher was recruited as touring keyboard player for New York indie rockers Interpol, and Sperske joined Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti. Beachwood Sparks reunited in 2008 to play at Sub Pop's 20th anniversary. The reunion line-up was Gunst, Rademaker, Sperske, Ben Knight, Jen Cohen, Dan Horne and Dave Scher. In 2012, Beachwood Sparks released the album The Tarnished Gold. The recording session included Neal Casal, Dan Horne, Jen Cohen, Jimi Hey, Darren Rademaker and Ariel Pink. All three of their studio albums are excellent, plus the 2013 archival release Desert Skies is also highly recommended. Twelve years after their previous album, the band regrouped in 2024 to deliver their latest Across the River of Stars produced by Chris Robinson from the Black Crowes. The album has attracted good reviews, including the following from RYM: "Song wise its strong, nice harmonies and instrumentation. Echoes of the Dead's and Beach Boys early 70s work while "falling forever" and "gentle samurai" have the reassuring touch of Roger Mcguinn at his most wide eyed".
Artist Website: wikipedia/Beachwood_Sparks
Featured Albums: Beachwood Sparks
Related Artists: Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
