Sparkadia was an Australian rock band, formed in Sydney in 2004. They were originally known as The Spark. The band was formed by Alexander Burnett (vocals, guitar) and Dave Hall (drums), and eventually expanded with the addition of Nick Rabone (bass) and Josephine Ayling (keyboards, guitar, vocals) in 2006. In 2008 Ayling was replaced by Tiffany Preece on guitars and vocals. By 2009 Sparkadia was Burnett's solo project. Sparkadia released two studio albums, Postcards (31 May 2008) and The Great Impression (18 March 2011).
Band history
2004–2007: Formation and Things Behind the Sun
Sparkadia formed as a duo in 2004 in Sydney by Alexander Burnett on lead vocals and David Hall on drums.[1][2]
On 17 February 2007 Sparkadia released their debut extended play titled, Things Behind the Sun, on Boundary Sounds through Inertia Records,[3] which peaked in the ARIA Singles Chart top 100 for four weeks in March–April.[4]
In 2007, Sparkadia supported Elbow on their tour of Australia following the release of the Things Behind the Sun EP. This was followed by a tour of the UK that included supporting Irish band The Thrills, whom they were to support again the following year on their Australian tour.[5][6][7]
2008–2009: Postcards
In May 2008, the band released "Too Much to Do", the second single from their debut studio album. "Too Much to Do" reached No. 11 on the ARIA Hitseekers Singles Chart.[8]
Their first studio album, Postcards, was released on 31 May 2008 and reached number 23 in the ARIA Albums Chart.[9] For the album the line-up were Ayling, Burnett, Hall and Rabone. Soon after Ayling was replaced by Tiffany Preece on guitars and vocals.[1][10] However, by 2009 Sparkadia had become Burnett's solo project;[11] according to Burnett: Hall had "moved onto other things", Preece had left to have a baby, and Rabone went to India.
In 2008, Sparkadia toured with Jimmy Eat World on their European tour.[12][13][14][15] This was followed by shows with Vampire Weekend,[16] as well as their own headline shows across the UK and Europe.
In 2009, Sparkadia toured Australia as part of the Big Day Out,[19] before embarking on a string of sold-out shows across Australia before amicably parting ways as a four piece.
2010–2011: The Great Impression
In September 2010 Sparkadia issued the next single, "Talking Like I'm Falling Down Stairs", which peaked in the top 100.[20] Another single, "China", was issued in March 2011.[11] Burnett, as Sparkadia, had moved to London to work on the second album in mid-January 2010.[21]
The Great Impression was issued on 18 March 2011, which reached number 8 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[9] On 20 March it was the week's "feature album" on national youth radio Triple J.[22]
In March 2011, Burnett was the featured cover star for Sydney music magazine The Drum, with the tagline "Sparkadia I'll Do It Myself". The feature photo shoot was conducted by award winning music photographer Daniel Boud.[23][24]
Burnett also had a deep house project called Antony & Cleopatra, which was based in London. It is a duo with Anita Blay (AKA CocknBullKid), whom Burnett met in London in 2014 during a pop writing session. In 2016, Burnett claimed to be working on the third Sparkadia album.[33] As of August 2024[update], however, no further updates have been given regarding the project.
^ ab"Week Commencing 2nd April 2007"(PDF). The ARIA Report (891). Australian Recording Industry Association: 8. 2 April 2007. Archived from the original(PDF) on 19 March 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
^"Week Commencing 26 May 2008"(PDF). The ARIA Report (952). Australian Recording Industry Association: 21. 26 May 2008. Archived from the original(PDF) on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
^ abcHung, Steffen. "Discography Sparkadia". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien (Steffen Hung). Retrieved 30 April 2015.
^ abc"Week Commencing 28 March 2011"(PDF). The ARIA Report (1100). Australian Recording Industry Association: 2, 45, 8, 11, 14, 16, 21. 28 March 2011. Archived from the original(PDF) on 30 May 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
^"Week Commencing 20 September 2010"(PDF). The ARIA Report (1073). Australian Recording Industry Association: 2. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original(PDF) on 10 October 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
^"Week Commencing 18 October 2010"(PDF). The ARIA Report (1077). Australian Recording Industry Association: 2, 4, 16, 21. 18 October 2010. Archived from the original(PDF) on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
