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- August 27, 2022
Sparta Announce Upcoming Self-Titled Record With Melancholic ‘Mind Over Matter’ And ‘Spiders’
Lost between the anthemic caress of optimism and an ensemble of cognizance there’s Sparta‘s double-sided ticket to their upcoming self-titled record. In an effort to revive, reinvent, and nourish the El Paso-pioneers of cathartic rock, Jim Ward and Matt Miller have left their solo endeavors behind to replenish the aggressive melancholic sounds of their past. As a follow up to their 2020 Trust the River and Jim Ward’s Daggers, the duo’s catalyst of untamed positivity, “Mind Over Matter” and “Spiders,” has introduced a deeper cut of relentless soul-searching and a melting contradiction that fills the empty spaces.
The inspiration behind the mellow-dramatic appendages stems from the groups reconciliation. After a brief yet necessary hiatus, the synonymous Spartan, Jim Ward, was on a search for a rebirth. After confining the moving pieces in lineup and sound the long-standing face of Sparta brought back what worked in the first place. Sitting as his righthand man is longtime bassist Matt Miller along with Tucker Rule, Geoff Ricky, Michael James Adams, and Kenny Hopper–an intimate grouping of musically-driven companionship. With the help of their versatile, psychological brilliance, a record of ethereal manifestation was composed
“Mind Over Matter” is a philosophical tributary. Unfurling itself across a widespread hub of people with mirroring disorient, this track leads you back to a space of wide-eyed wonder. In a cautionary-esque eruption of profound insight, Ward enlists himself as the man with the answers. Following the buzz of an emphatic edge, “holding back is holding out/on you/distant vision will/prove it’s true/just a matter of mind/mind over matter” is distilled among a dissonant break submerged in a constant rise of anticipation–mimicking the fragility of patience.
This track is “a spitfire of a riff that screamed hope and possibilities” says Ward, “the music directed the lyrics and I wrote about anybody being able to do anything, hope grown from love- a direct call to myself to write about and sing about the good things in life.” Their gothic sound twists to recenter as Kayleigh Goldsworthy‘s angelic vibration balances the energy of the narrative. It’s solemnly sweet yet overtly hardcore, the perfect combination for those in the liminal space.
On the other side of this two-for-one lies “Spiders”– the enraptured collision of Ward and Angelica Garcia‘s gothic effervescence. This eerie array of softened hymns is a tension-building continuum, never quite taking a breath, but never quite running out. In its ballad glory, “Spider” becomes the interlude between “Mind Over Matter” and the yet-to-be-revealed convolute of Sparta’s final product–an antithesis to its unembellished neighbor. This piano-led, vocally driven track is malleable in its interpretation and dissolves to fill the unresolved trauma of Sparta’s narrative.
The two tracks will be available as a double sided cassette at Sparta’s trek through the nation with the Get Up Kids. Starting at the tale end of August, Sparta will bring their call-and-response performance to a city near you, making significant stops in Philadelphia, New York City, and Los Angeles. For more information visit here and check out concert specifics below. If time and money are not on your side, make sure to pre-save the record here and keep streaming here!
8/28 Los Angeles, CA @ Regent
8/29 San Francisco, CA @ UC Theatre
8/31 Portland, OR @ Revolution
9/1 Seattle, WA @ Neptune
9/3 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
9/4 Denver, CO @ Gothic
9/20 Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot
9/21 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls
9/23 Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom
9/24 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
9/25 NYC @ Irving Plaza
9/27 DC @ Soundstage
9/28 Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents
9/29 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
