The Lovely Sparrows are, have been, and may include Shawn Jones, Robert Ellis, Gray Parsons, Earl Vallery, Lauryn Steinberg, Stephen Pierce, Steven Garcia, Michael Landon, Sweney Tidball, Paul Brinkley, Jason Cooper, Nathan Siler, Steven Stark, and Meaghan Perry.
Influences
David Bowie, Paul Simon, Bill Fay, Talking Heads, the Microphones, Pavement, Little Wings, Neutral Milk Hotel, Destroyer, Cat Stevens, Leonard Cohen, the New Pornographers, The Stone Roses, The Who, (smog), The Replacements, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, the Zombies, The Kinks, Nick Drake, The Chocolate Watch Band, The Rolling Stones, Mission Of Burma, Velvet Underground, Strawberry Alarm Clock, The Beatles, Belle & Sebastian, Television, Joanna Newsom, Margo Guryan, The Beach Boys, The Association, Os Mutantes, Camille Saint-Saens, Frank Black & the Catholics, The Raspberries, Elvis Costello, Wilco, the Jicks, Sebadoh, Marvin Gaye, Velvet Underground, the Silver Jews, Yo La Tengo, The Flaming Lips, etc. etc. etc.
Austin's the Lovely Sparrows blend lush, complex arrangements with sing-along choruses that bring to mind glorious folk-inflected pop and well-written novellas. Pulling Up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint, set for release by Abandoned Love Records, captures the gorgeous melodies and warm, organic maladies of lead Sparrow Shawn Jones. Friends as well as former, current and occasional members of the band contributed their talents to flesh out Jones songs of heartbreak, blunted resolve, and shimmering resignation.
The Sparrows began work on the EP after finishing their self-released 7 Take Your Hats Off, You Godless Bastards which, despite its limited distribution, caught the ear of online reviewers, discriminating music blogs and select college radio stations. Pulling Up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint was recorded both at Jones home and at Jesses Bed & Breakfast, a
makeshift recording studio and live music venue which quietly hosts much of Austins burgeoning underground pop and folk community.
"Head Sparrow Shawn Jones is a brainy songwriter with a gift for wordplay, unexpected rhymes, and occasionally startling imagery, and he gingerly combines indie whimsy with a personal despondency without coming across as cute. He's soundtracking Chris Ware panels, not Wes Anderson movies." Pitchfork
"I submit to you another reason to pay attention to Austin—The Lovely Sparrows." Daytrotter
"Lead Sparrow Shawn Jones pulls together a solid cast of colleagues to help flesh out his delicate, folky compositions and create the much-needed counter-points (especially the boy-girl dynamic on many of the vocals) that give the album its wings. The five songs on this tasty little EP go by way too fast, leaving you wanting more." Harp Magazine
"A great track...theres a level of energy and passion contained within the lyrics that manages to poke out through the restrained presentation." You Ain't No Picasso
"I've said here before how much I like what I've heard of them, but it appears they've raised the stakes." Cable and Tweed
But here's our favorite: "Me and Mars finally played you as promised and the sky exploded and all the trees died and mars turned into a deer. it was awesome." "Megan, KVRX
For current press and more please visit www.thelovelysparrows.com
Year of the Dog, the first video from Bury the Cynics (2008 ALR, Rebel Group)
Come out to We Make Stuff...music, art & fashion on Saturday Sept. 19th from 7-9pm! Judge a skateboard painting competition, on-site DIY with The WonderCraft, listen to great bands like Hollywood Gossip, Panjoma & Lost Werks. Watch a fashion show, & cool dudes on a half-pipe from Find n' Grind skate shop, with many fabulous local vendors sporting their wares!
Everyone at indiecater records would like to wish you a happy summer and let you know that there is an indiepop song from the Very Most available to download FREE from our site!
