They have been signed to Parlophone, the label on which The Beatles, Radiohead, and Coldplay released their greatest successes. Justifiably, because their euphoric refrains and stirring rhythms have the potential, with time, to fill big concert halls. “Our music is made to be shared.”
“Things are not going well for English rock music,” Steve Sparrow, frontman of Morning Parade says. Nevertheless, the fivesome from Harlow, Essex is the new darling of the local musical press. “With all the formats like The X Factor and The Voice, the current charts are dominated by regurgitation. Everything has become so poppy. Guitars have been relegated to the background. I would like to see more variation.” With Morning Parade, Sparrow proves you can do this under your own steam. The shamelessly epic sound of their debut – a dynamic combination of synths and guitars, exceptionally melodious, and occasionally also danceable – offers a means of escape for young and old adolescents who are feeling down. The desperation of being unemployed or single is transformed into euphoria, as witnessed by the breakthrough singles “Under the Stars” and “A&E”. The urgency is palpable. Sparrow: “My parents gave me a guitar for my fourteenth birthday. It was the best investment they made in me because it kept me out of trouble.”
Morning Parade dodges despair with euphoria
© Colin Lane
(© Colin Lane)
When did you realise that music could be more than just a hobby?
Steve Sparrow: When all kinds of record labels started bothering us. “How much do you want?” they asked. It felt unreal, especially because you often hear that the business is doing badly. We apparently managed to hit a sensitive nerve. It was only when we signed the contracts on the roof of EMI and were drinking champagne that I realised what was happening. I remember thinking: “Does this mean we will never have to work again?” I guess so, because this is work. Amazing.
You recorded the majority of your debut in the studio of Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz).
Sparrow: Jason Cox, a producer and engineer who has collaborated with Damon for years, wanted to record our demos and invited us over. Damon was fine with it. I was especially impressed by all the vintage instruments. I remember old drum machines and an antique pump organ. We behaved like children in a sweetshop.
What is “Under the Stars” about exactly?
Sparrow: About letting go and trying to enjoy little things. I was feeling pretty down when I wrote it. I’d been unemployed for three months and didn’t have much money. Our bassist Phil, also jobless and penniless, told me I looked awful. But we still went out that night and knew that eventually things would get better. It’s OK not to be happy all the time. Sometimes life is just shit. You have to dare to embrace that. We tried to express the euphoria that is somewhere between hope and despair on the album. In these times of crisis, it’s nice to be able to pluck a bit of happiness out of thin air and capture it on a CD.
In addition to the fans, a number of ardent Morning Parade haters have also surfaced.
Sparrow: Yeah well, you know, at the beginning you hope to be friends with everybody, but of course that is impossible. So it is best just to make the record you want to make without taking other people’s opinions into account. Why would you want to please everyone? We’re not McDonalds. We don’t make fast-food music.
Morning Parade
28/3 • 20.00, €10/13/16
BOTANIQUE Koningsstraat 236 rue Royale, Sint-Joost-ten-Node/Saint-Josse-ten-Noode,
02-218.37.32, info@botanique.be, www.botanique.be
When did you realise that music could be more than just a hobby?
Steve Sparrow: When all kinds of record labels started bothering us. “How much do you want?” they asked. It felt unreal, especially because you often hear that the business is doing badly. We apparently managed to hit a sensitive nerve. It was only when we signed the contracts on the roof of EMI and were drinking champagne that I realised what was happening. I remember thinking: “Does this mean we will never have to work again?” I guess so, because this is work. Amazing.
You recorded the majority of your debut in the studio of Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz).
Sparrow: Jason Cox, a producer and engineer who has collaborated with Damon for years, wanted to record our demos and invited us over. Damon was fine with it. I was especially impressed by all the vintage instruments. I remember old drum machines and an antique pump organ. We behaved like children in a sweetshop.
What is “Under the Stars” about exactly?
Sparrow: About letting go and trying to enjoy little things. I was feeling pretty down when I wrote it. I’d been unemployed for three months and didn’t have much money. Our bassist Phil, also jobless and penniless, told me I looked awful. But we still went out that night and knew that eventually things would get better. It’s OK not to be happy all the time. Sometimes life is just shit. You have to dare to embrace that. We tried to express the euphoria that is somewhere between hope and despair on the album. In these times of crisis, it’s nice to be able to pluck a bit of happiness out of thin air and capture it on a CD.
In addition to the fans, a number of ardent Morning Parade haters have also surfaced.
Sparrow: Yeah well, you know, at the beginning you hope to be friends with everybody, but of course that is impossible. So it is best just to make the record you want to make without taking other people’s opinions into account. Why would you want to please everyone? We’re not McDonalds. We don’t make fast-food music.
Morning Parade
28/3 • 20.00, €10/13/16
BOTANIQUE Koningsstraat 236 rue Royale, Sint-Joost-ten-Node/Saint-Josse-ten-Noode,
02-218.37.32, info@botanique.be, www.botanique.be
Read more about: Muziek
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