Sparrow And The Workshop - I Will Break You

Sparrow and the Workshop will be releasing their debut album ‘Crystals Fall’ on April 19th through Distiller Records. The album is an amalgamation of their previous EP releases plus two brand new songs. All tracks have been reworked and remixed by up and coming producer Paul Savage, except ‘Medal Around Your Neck’, which was produced by Tim Rowkins.  ‘I Will Break You’ will be the lead single taken from the album and is released on April 12th. The album will be released on CD, gatefold vinyl and digital download.
 
The band comprises of Belfast born, Chicago-raised Jill O’Sullivan (vocals/guitar/violin), Welshman Nick Packer (guitar/bass) and Scotsman Gregor Donaldson (drums/vocals.) Jill's voice has developed into a powerhouse of flexibility, allowing her to soar from keening Sandy Denny-esque tones to sensual peaks you're more likely to expect from PJ Harvey. They have also slowly incorporated subtle elements and moods from metal, grunge, doo-wop and country into their songs – a friend of the band recently described one new song as 'Joanna Newsom backed by Black Sabbath'.

Album highlights include the sea-shanty-esque ‘Devil Song’, which was their debut single, 'Into The Wild', ‘A Horse’s Grin’, ‘You’ve Got It All’, The Gun plus the psychedelic folk epic ‘Crystals’.  Last year they toured the UK with Edinburgh's Broken Records and supported British Sea Power at London’s Regent Park's Open Air Theatre. They also played the BBC introducing tent at Glastonbury Festival and rounded off the year by supporting Idlewild on their Scottish tour, having been so well received, the headliners asked them to be their special guests on their forthcoming English tour.   

They have received much critical acclaim from the UK media, including The Guardian, The Sunday Times and Word magazine. Also they received considerable radio play and have performed various radio sessions for Marc Riley (6music) and Vic Galloway (Radio One). They were also Radcliffe and Maconie’s Pick of the Week on Radio 2 and recently recorded a Maida Vale session for Rob Da Bank (Radio One).

There is something gloriously new about the way Sparrow flit from the most delicate of Americana ditties to crashing post-rock crescendos at the drop of a hat. They might be folk but there's certainly nothing traditional about this band.

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