Sparks have just received the Outstanding Contribution to Music at this year’s AIM Awards at the Roundhouse in London. Accepting the honour to euphoric applause, whoops and a standing ovation, the pioneering duo took to the podium to celebrate an illustrious five-decade, 27-album career, delivering a speech that dropped the surprise news that they have rejoined the independent community by signing a new deal to Transgressive Records. The band’s 28th album is expected in 2025 and will be released worldwide on their new label and distributed via Firebird Label Services.
With their 28th Album pending, a new label and award for Outstanding Contribution to Music GIITTV were thrilled that Ron and Russell Mael from Sparks took the time to talk to us, fresh off the stage at the AIM Awards. With a level of articulate, edgy, creative energy that could power a continent, lead singer Russell Mael spoke of their new label saying,
“It’s exciting because it’s an Independent evening here at the AIM awards and Transgressive Records share the same independent spirit. It’s something that we have and that’s innate in what we do and we’re really happy that a label that’s really in it for the music, especially for the new album that we’ve recorded. They’re not responding just to Sparks for our legacy, but they are responding to what Sparks is doing right now with our new music. It’s really exciting.” Multicoloured shimmering butterflies bounced the light from his suit as he spoke, echoing Sparks’ creative energy.
“They are also really energetic as well, you know. They’re not just going through the motions they are really passionate about what they are doing and we are so happy, because we kind of always feel that way about what we are doing in music in general,” said suave keyboardist Ron Mael.
” We are working on another musical.” said Russell, “We really liked the experience of being able to do what we do with our music but to put it in another context that isn’t just us with an album full of songs, but it has a narrative and storyline that we’ve also written so that was really exciting for us because the first one we did was ‘Anette’ and now we are doing another one. We are working with a really amazing director John Woo. For him this is a real passion project to be able to do something that’s completely different from what he’s known for. It’s a real action film so this is his first musical so he’s really venturing into something new too.”
The enigmatic duo then reflected on the role that technology has played in the music industry over the years.
Ron said, “As far as making music is concerned it’s technology that has definitely improved for the better as people are able to do things on their own that they never could have done before without having to go into a studio. It was just outrageously expensive, also it’s led to more experimentation in what you’re doing. I mean as far as the distribution is concerned, I’m a little ambivalent about that side of things but as far as the making of music is concerned, it’s only been a positive thing.”
Huge congratulations to Sparks for their rightful Outstanding Contribution to Music award. We can’t wait for their 28th album to be released on Transgressive records in 2025 and for their upcoming musical which will gather even more cross-generational fans. Further details are anticipated in 2025 along with news of a world tour. With the expertise of experience and energy of innovation, the ever-evolving Sparks are bounding into the 21st Century with style. Watch this space.
