Often described as East Coast Bluegrass, the Stone Sparrows will be in Golden for a show at the Golden Taps on April 24.
After a few attempts at forming a group and releasing their collective material under the monicker The Stone Broke Buskers, Sam Balson and Megan Patrick were looking to take a different approach.
A relationship with manager James Gorry led them to Oliver Ward. Having taken a 10-year break from the violin, Ward was experimenting with more improvisational styles.
After happening upon one of the jams that was taking place at Ward and Gorry’s house, Balson and Patrick approached the two in hopes of filling out their act. Stone Sparrows was born.
Steadily progressing their songwriting and live show over the next year, the Sparrows were offered an opportunity to record some tracks at the Ryerson University Studio to contribute to a friend’s student project.
With the idea to create an EP using the newly written material already in the works, the timing was perfect.
After about 30 hours in the studio, the group came out with a four-song collection entitled Wild Spaces. They then hit the road out east to soak in the famous east coast hospitality, and share their brand of acoustic folk, bluegrass, and blues inspired music.
With warm receptions at home in Toronto and abroad, a widening fan base, and a steadily progressive writing process, the group has plans to complete another full length album under a more contemplative and extended framework.
Go to www.stonesparrows.com to hear their music.
