Tori Sparks is a little confused.
As a singer/songwriter who liberally hops genres, from rock and blues to folk and alt-country, Sparks' resistance to classification results in fun, but intense live shows.
“Most musicians start at open mic nights or coffee shops,” Sparks said. “And if it's rewarding, they work their way up.”
Since the age of 13, Sparks has written emotional songs with a personal, first-person bent, then rehearsed them with her guitar in intimate settings like cafes, bars and restaurants.
“I don't know why I kept doing it, because I was so nervous,” Sparks said. “Something compelled me.”
Taking into consideration the way listeners reacted to her music, Sparks took her best material to two independent releases, 2005's “Rivers + Roads” and 2007's “Under This Yellow Sun.” The latter was released on her own Nashville label, Glass Mountain Records.
And if the strength of the Nashville artist's songs are any sign, Sparks' audiences may not have long to continue reaping the rewards of her musical confusion.
“People call you confused until you get a record deal,” Sparks said. “Then they call you diverse.”
Five questions with Tori Sparks:
Q: What is your favorite song to play live?
A: It changes. It would either be “Cold War,” off my new album, but I also like playing “I Can See Clearly Now” when I want to throw in that one song that makes everybody happy and brings them back to you.
Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?
A: I remember being dragged to a James Taylor concert when I was 11. But I feel bad, because I saw him a couple years ago and I think that he's great.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island, what is the one album you would bring before any other?
A: It would be between “Joshua
Tree” (U2) or Tom Waits' “The Heart of Saturday Night.”
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences?
A: U2 and Tom Waits, but I know I don't sound like the bands I like. Also Damien Rice, Patti Griffin and everybody from the Beatles and Delta blues to new stuff like Iron and Wine. I listen to a lot of music so it all filters in.
Q: What is the one venue you've always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: When I was in Colorado visiting Red Rocks some sound guy said they needed to test equipment. I had my guitar on my back, so he had me play an impromptu set for tourists.
If you go
Who: Tori Sparks
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9
Where: JB's Wall Street Grill
Cost: Free
Info: Call 252-7939 or visit www.tori sparks.com
“Most musicians start at open mic nights or coffee shops,” Sparks said. “And if it's rewarding, they work their way up.”
Since the age of 13, Sparks has written emotional songs with a personal, first-person bent, then rehearsed them with her guitar in intimate settings like cafes, bars and restaurants.
“I don't know why I kept doing it, because I was so nervous,” Sparks said. “Something compelled me.”
Taking into consideration the way listeners reacted to her music, Sparks took her best material to two independent releases, 2005's “Rivers + Roads” and 2007's “Under This Yellow Sun.” The latter was released on her own Nashville label, Glass Mountain Records.
And if the strength of the Nashville artist's songs are any sign, Sparks' audiences may not have long to continue reaping the rewards of her musical confusion.
“People call you confused until you get a record deal,” Sparks said. “Then they call you diverse.”
Five questions with Tori Sparks:
Q: What is your favorite song to play live?
A: It changes. It would either be “Cold War,” off my new album, but I also like playing “I Can See Clearly Now” when I want to throw in that one song that makes everybody happy and brings them back to you.
Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?
A: I remember being dragged to a James Taylor concert when I was 11. But I feel bad, because I saw him a couple years ago and I think that he's great.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island, what is the one album you would bring before any other?
A: It would be between “Joshua
Tree” (U2) or Tom Waits' “The Heart of Saturday Night.”
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences?
A: U2 and Tom Waits, but I know I don't sound like the bands I like. Also Damien Rice, Patti Griffin and everybody from the Beatles and Delta blues to new stuff like Iron and Wine. I listen to a lot of music so it all filters in.
Q: What is the one venue you've always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: When I was in Colorado visiting Red Rocks some sound guy said they needed to test equipment. I had my guitar on my back, so he had me play an impromptu set for tourists.
If you go
Who: Tori Sparks
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9
Where: JB's Wall Street Grill
Cost: Free
Info: Call 252-7939 or visit www.tori sparks.com
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