Tori tours that crazy country called America, has played in Canada, France, England, and Ireland. Solo, and with company.
THE BAND
The seismic sounds on the new album, The Scorpion in the Story were created by...
TORI SPARKS (Starring role as herself in the movie of life.)
DAVID HENRY (R.E.M., Ben Folds, Vienna Teng, Josh Rouse, Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls, Cowboy Junkies)
WILL KIMBROUGH (Rodney Crowell, many many many more...)
VIKTOR KRAUSS (Lyle Lovett, Janis Ian, Mindy Smith, others... and yes, you guessed it... Allison Krauss' bro. Plus a really nice guy.)
STEVE BOWMAN (Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind, Luce. And, his lovely wife is a rollerderby cheerleader.)
FATS KAPLIN (Mark Knopfler, Kevin Welch)
BARRY WALSH (Gretchen Peters, more)
Produced by Tori Sparks and David Henry.
Influences
Definitely in no particular order...
Tom Waits, U2, my mom, Ben Harper, Aziza A, Etta James, Mrs. Janoff's English class, Martin Sexton, Joni Mitchell, Soular System, Nico Vega, Ani DiFranco, NPR, Ayn Rand, Janis Joplin, the maintenance guy at my crappy secretary job when I first moved to Nashville, Wayne Hall, Murphy's Loft, Waffle House, Billy Bragg, The Plant Formerly Known as Prince, Prince, Amos Lee, Amy Correia, Bill Withers, Damien Rice, Patty Griffin, coffee, Radiohead, coffee, Regina Spektor, coffee, coffee, Amy Steinberg, Mia Zepeda, Dung Nguyen, random acts of kindness, The Beatles, The Boss (mainly just Nebraska), Ben Folds (who thinks I sound like the Pretenders, which is fine), Chris Isaak, Labyrinth, Fraggle Rock, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Bonnie/ Sheryl/Alanis/Ms. Amos/Jewel/any-other-female-artiste-that-no-girl-rocker-wants-to -admit-to-in-order-to-seem-completely-and-totally-original, Colleen McFarland, Caroline Brewer, the kindness of strangers, Feist, Juno, exes, David Bowie, Cecilia the Band, anyone who cuts across the grass, Jed Shoemaker, Siesta Key Beach, unfortunate love affairs, Threadless, David Gray, the windshield I cracked in half, Fiona Apple, Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Mitch Hedberg, Ray Charles, Lightnin' Hopkins, rain when I'm working, A Love Song for Bobby Long, Sante Fe, the red Mustang (rental), Peabody Shoe Repair, Ryan Adams, Vienna Teng, kettle corn, Elmer's Glue, Pete's Candy Store, Nirvana, the White Stripes, Iron and Wine, Wilco, any and all blues (yay blues!), local bands, people who like local bands, booking guys who are human, humans who experiment, odd strangers, stranger friends, the road, and a couple of skeletons in the closet.
Sounds Like
MUSIC VIDEOS
"Merry Go-Round" from the NEW ALBUM The Scorpion in the Story Add to My Profile
Critically-acclaimed "Cold War" from Under This Yellow Sun Add to My Profile
PRESS
“The talented Tori Sparks… is a knockout…”
--Joe McCombs, The Village Voice
“Here’s a singer/songwriter with the strong, eloquent vocals of Bonnie Raitt and the guitar mastery of Joni Mitchell... a bounty of subtle rock and haunting blues."
--Nancy Dunham, Relix
“Tori Sparks’ voice isn’t one of those passive instruments that treats a lyric like it’s a classified ad… Here is a supple, teasing voice that flutters and flies seemingly without effort from note to note, line to line, so that weepy sensitivity and pleading vulnerability cozy up with tough resilience and firm resolve so seamlessly you never even notice the mood swing.”
--Jeff Tamarkin, Harp Magazine
“Tori Sparks is one of those independent singer-songwriters who’s so driven it seems like signing with a record label would only slow her down. Sparks sings with distinct intensity—Scorpion is bluesy folk-rock in a Tom Waits vein: rough-edged, worldly-wise and potent.
--Jewly Hight,The Nashville Scene
"The Scorpion in the Story is an Americana opera. I've listened to it at least a couple hundred times already."
--Larry Timko, Down Home Cookin' with Larry T (WKIX)
"Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen….I can see [Tori’s] name printed boldly amongst these illustrious phenomena…The Scorpion In The Story is definitely a keeper… Words fail me to describe why I enjoy it so much."
--Evert Wilbrink, Folkwax
“Sparks needs little in the way of effects or layering to get her music across… strong and fabulous…”
--Jason MacNeil, PopMatters
“Tori Sparks [is] a folky singer/songwriter graced with a fiery, gutsy delivery worthy of Ani DiFranco…” [5 stars]
-- Margaret Reges; All Music Guide
“A sensuous blend of folk, blues and rock. … Sparks proves herself a soulful songwriter and vocalist who at once manages both strength and vulnerability. An assured, auspicious disc that should bring [Sparks] deserved national attention.” [4 stars]
--Amanda Schurr; Creative Loafing
“Drenched in drama, featuring Sparks’ torrid vocals splashed over self-penned, alternative roots-rock numbers that sizzle with authenticity.”
— LCB, Performing Songwriter
"Scorpion is my favorite record I've heard in years. It hasn't left my CD player!"
-- Bart Herbison, Executive Director of NSAI (Nashville)
"With the grit of Chrissie Hynde, the sadness of Martha Davis in the Motels, and the pure sensualness of Margo Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies, this girl hurls you onto planet Sparks and leaves you there ...[Tori Sparks] is truly, one of the most original artists I have heard in a long, long time."
--Rebecca Rego, Music News Nashville
“Tori Sparks manages to avoid the misstep of sounding like every other coffeehouse-circuit singer… Sparks seems to have approached the arrangement of each song on its own...[she] wisely avoids the write-the-same-song-twelve-times approach favored by many young artists. Every track... sounds like Tori Sparks, but none of the songs sounds like another one.”
--Bill Kopp; Skope Magazine
“Those are the songwriting skills of someone like Roseanne Cash…Providence RI [from Under this Yellow Sun] has Springsteen a la Nebraska or Darkness on the Edge of Town magic about it.”
--Jon Delange, Tinderbox Music
"Tori is a treat to have live in the studio... An excellent songwriter with incredible, fun energy."
--Nick James; WFPK 91.9FM Louisville
“[Tori Sparks] has displayed... a voice that is equal parts elegant, striking and rangy, while her songs can be soothing, evocative, or energetic.”
-- Ron Wynn; Nashville City Paper
“Tori Sparks is… a guitar whiz.”
-- Steve Shanafelt; The Mountain Xpress (Bele Chere Festival Preview)
“Tori Sparks is aptly named – she definitely has that spark in her performance!”
-- Chuck Leavell; Pianist for the Rolling Stones (1982 – present)
“Besides her great talent, Tori is also one of the hardest-working independent artists out there.”
-- Michael Jonathan; Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour
"Like Natalie Merchant and Madeline Peyroux getting together to do heroin... in an awesome sultry way."
-- CJ Watson; 2008 Kerrville New Folk Winner
"[Tori] is an excellent songwriter... Her songs are well crafted, personal and at times introspective. ... More than anything, Sparks deserves to be recognized for her voice. It can take her about anywhere she wants -- it's that good."
--David Bowling, The DailyVault
“There is a very sensual quality to her voice. It just drips with emotion...damn near heartbreaking. ...The songs are well written, interesting and catchy without being trite. The musicianship is fabulous... a fantastic album.”
--Amy Lotsberg; Collected Sounds
“[Sparks] packs a wallop of a voice… each song proves that she’s more than just a pretty face.”
--Paul Barbatano; Dayton City Paper
“[Tori] should add The Pretenders to [her] list of influences. In a good way. I’d take that any day.”
--Ben Folds
"[Tori's] dynamic live show is equal parts soulful singing and zany stand-up-style humor... falls somewhere between Dixie rock, folk blues, and Americana."
--Joyce Arnold; City at Night Magazine
“Sparks’ bluesy vocals and intensely rhythmic groove paints a sexy and sultry sound that’s a joy to hear in any venue… [the] songstress rocked the room, drew listeners from tables in the back to the stage front and pulled people in from off the street (yes, during SXSW) to hear her…”
--Anny Randel, Savvant Music
“Sparks. . . [has] stuck to her muse and it was exactly what people wanted.”
--John Stoehr; Savannah Morning News
“Americana-Rock artist Tori Sparks sounds like one tough, passionate cookie. Her voice has the gritty blues of countrified Etta James and the cool growl of Janis Joplin. [Under This Yellow Sun] is blessedly full of simple truth, kick ass guitar riffs and soul baring song writing. … It's obvious that Tori Sparks is the real thing.”
-- Carolina Jones; Unsigned Magazine
"A fearless performer, she is notorious for her blend of quirky humor and fiery delivery and has fused a sound and astyle that is unmistakably her own."
--Cassaundra Baber; Utica Life & Times
“I found her vocal stylings interesting, different…Her music possesses a grit and angst not heard much today…”
--Brooke Welu, Northeast InTune Magazine
“…Both concise and taut mixtures of lyrics with music that are thoughtful and evocative without being pretentious. … Discover Sparks’ powerful voice now…!”
--Ron Saranich, Cosmik Debris
"All of her hard work is starting to pay off... Yet, with all the apparent beginnings of commercial success, Sparks remains incredibly focused on the reason she sings and plays: the passion that fuels the creation of her music."
-Don Swaby, Melt Magazine
“When Tori began to sing I got chills down my entire body. I have never been in a room where a woman, or man’s for that matter; voice can bring me to that level. ...From song to song, I just wanted more... The show was a success from every possible angle. After a few hours of stories from Tori, I was nothing short of completely satisfied.”
-- Ricky Lee Potts, IndyConcerts.com
“Tori can rock so seductively then revert to a striking emotive process. . . there is nothing formulaic that you can pigeon-hole."
--Carmine Pascuzzi; Media Search (Australia)
“[Tori's] dynamic live show is equal parts soulful singing and zany stand-up-style humor...”
-- Dave Drebes; Arch City Chronicle
“Sparks’ hard work and constant touring is starting to pay off… Musically, Sparks doesn’t sound much like… any other young female singer-songwriter you’ve ever heard.”
-- Michael Summers; Fort Wayne Reader
“This multi-talented artist really struts her stuff... Her warm gutsy vocals are full of soul… mixed with lots of attitude. You’ll want this one for your record collection.”
--Brad Fischer, Nashville Music Guide
“Sparks lets go of the typical restraints of the singer-songwriter stigma… She makes me want to grab hold of life... Sparks shows something that many artists forget—the truth.”
--Jeff Russell, Murfreesboro Pulse
EXTRAS
Behind The Scenes: Screen Printing Madness with Tori Sparks
Tori Sparks donates song "Leaving Side of Love" from upcoming album The Scorpion in the Story to the Campaign to Save Paste Magazine.
Details of the CD + Music Video Release Extravaganza on June 4th @ The Rutledge (Nashville) posted now. Protion of proceeds goes to benefit VH1's Save the Music Foundation.
NEW ALBUM The Scorpion in the Story preorders available April 1st.
Tori set to showcase at Folk Alliance in Memphis and RedGorilla Fest in Austin. See tour dates for details.
Universal Music France compilation featuring the song "Cold War" has sold 30,000+ copies. Thanks Europe!
Tori Sparks' "Caged Bird" named in Top 12 DIY Downloads by Performing Songwriter magazine. Click here to see the review.
Tori on the road, in the studio, and being just plain wacky. Move the grey slider up or down to change slideshow speed. Roll over photos for captions. You get the idea. More pics on the ToriSparks.com Photo Gallery.
ABOUT TORI...
The Scorpion in the Story (2009)
Tori Sparks calls Nashville home, but spends most of her time on the road in the U.S. and Europe. Called “a knockout” by the Village Voice, her dynamic live show is equal parts eye-popping soul-singing, and zany stand-up-style humor. Tori’s brand-new third album, The Scorpion in the Story, was co-produced with indie rock veteran David Henry (R.E.M., Ben Folds, Josh Rouse, Widespread Panic, Cowboy Junkies) , and features players such as Steve Bowman (Counting Crows), Will Kimbrough (Rodney Crowell), Viktor Krauss (Lyle Lovett, Mindy Smith, and yes, Alliison’s brother), Fats Kaplin (Mark Knopfler, Kevin Welch), and Barry Walsh (Gretchen Peters).
The Scorpion in the Story is a tale in thirteen chapters, a tour diary in the form of a concept album. Each song was written about one of the many colorful individuals Tori met while touring across the U.S. last year. The album includes a French version of the song “Merry Go-Round,” (“Le Manege”), and was released on Glass Mountain Records in June 2009.
Tori’s relentless touring has taken her from New York to Los Angeles to Miami, from Toronto to London to Paris, and through every small town in between. She books most of her own shows, and does all of her own laundry. In 2008 and 2009, Tori has showcased at Folk Alliance, Bele Chere, American MusicFest, many other conferences and festivals, and played nearly 200 shows to boot. She recently performed on Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour alongside Rolling Stones pianist Chuck Leavell. Tori is the author of two courses for roaming music business education organization ProMusicU, and is the creator of The Feed Your Soul Guitar Project, a tour and folk art auction benefiting Oxfam America. Besides her big black boots, and balls-to-the-wall guitar playing, she is known for being a part of and organizing benefit concerts on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind, F.A.C.E., the March of Dimes, and the One Campaign.
Under This Yellow Sun (2007)
Tori’s sophomore album, Under This Yellow Sun, was released in 2007, and was the first release under the auspices of Tori’s own record label (Glass Mountain Records) and publishing company (Hand Over Foot Publishing). It has been praised by Relix, Harp, Maverick, Performing Songwriter, Skope, The Nashville Scene, XM Radio, and countless others. After breaking the Top 100 on the RIYL Weighted College Charts, the album was licensed by MTV, Lifetime, and the Oxygen Network for use in their upcoming 2009 television seasons. A subsequent feature by XM Radio Unsigned prompted Universal Music France to contact Sparks, has toured in France and other parts of Europe. Universal included Sparks’ single “Cold War” on their double-disc compilation Country Vol. 2, which has sold 30,000+ copies. "Cold War" is also featured on the Paste Magazine New Music Sampler released in June 2008.
Rivers + Roads (2005) and Tidewaters EP (2003)
Contrary to popular belief, Sparks did not emerge Venus-like from Lake Michigan on a gigantic seashell Tori was born in Chicago, and grew up in Sarasota, FL. She recorded her first EP, Tidewaters, in 2003, while attending Florida State University. . The four-song project attracted the attention of a small independent label based in Nashville. The label snapped her up, promptly recorded her debut album and music video ”Rivers + Roads” in 2005, moved her to Music City… and even more promptly went belly-up. Where some would crumble, Tori emerged from the wreckage and dove into eight solid months of exhaustive touring, radio, and video promotion. Her work paid off, as radio and video airplay in the U.S., Belgium, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, France, and England resulted.
Tori's debut music video, "Rivers + Roads," was screened at the Flint Film Festival 2006, and was selected "Best Pop Video" by the Indie Gathering 2006. She was selected as a Unisong International Songwriting Contest Finalist for her politically-charged alterna-blues tune "The Poster Child” in 2005, and again in 2007 for “Cold War.”
Guilty Pleasures.
Tori’s albums can each be purchased for less than the price of a veggie burger in Los Angeles at one of 100+ digital distributors in 25 countries. These include the ubiquitous iTunes, and 30+ CD retailers, including BestBuy.com, Target.com, Amazon.com, and others. Tori’s guilty pleasures include black jelly beans, cop shows, and 80s music. There is a big map of the U.S. and Europe on her wall, full of little colored pins marking cities she’s played.
Thanks for adding us and supporting metal. “Iron Reaper” and “Blood Beyond Venom” from our soon to be released Ep has been added to our player, blast it and enjoy.
Our previous albums can be purchased at this link: http://cdbaby.com/all/rebirthmetal
Hey :-) I hope you are having a greeeeeaaaaat summer! I haven't heard from you like forever!!
Have you checked out my new song "Amazing" let me know what you think ;-) I will be touring Radio in the next few week.. Maybe you will hear one of my songs on the radio!!
Hey Tori, just stopping by to say hi. Great site and music as always. Thanks for being a friend. Have a great week and summer ahead. Your friend and fan, Bruce xoxo
THANK YOU FOR BEING OUR FRIEND ON HERE!
A couple things you might be interested in:
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gorgeous soulful music-- your voice really touched me and your lyrics are beautiful-- keep up the good fight hon, and touch many lives in your time here and lift them up. your gift to the world is beautiful
HI TORI, Thanks for the add... Stop by and view our tv show 'Media Factory Show TV' on our web site. We hope you become a fan of the show. Musically, Peter and Chic
JOIN PETER AND CHIC ON STAGE AT NETSHOWS STAGE A New Music Community for Music Lovers PROFILE - PROMOTE - UPLOAD – VIEW Netshows Stage is not a lonely hearts club but a growing community of musicians and music lovers. It's purpose is to promote and showcase through profiles and features.
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