Glass Mountain Records » TORI SPARKS

TORI SPARKS

ABOUT TORI »

Tori Sparks calls Nashville home, but spends most of her time on the road in the U.S. and Europe. Called “a knockout” by The Village Voice, Tori released her third album, The Scorpion in the Story in June 2009. The album was co-produced with indie rock veteran David Henry (R.E.M., Ben Folds, Josh Rouse, Cowboy Junkies), and features players such as Steve Bowman (Counting Crows), Will Kimbrough (Rodney Crowell), Jiill Sobule, Viktor Krauss (Allison Krauss, Mindy Smith, Lyle Lovett), Fats Kaplin (Mark Knopfler, Kevin Welch), and Barry Walsh (Gretchen Peters).

The Scorpion in the Story is a tour diary in the form of a concept album. Each song was written about one of the many colorful individuals Tori met while touring across the U.S. last year – just her and her van covering thousands of miles, just Tori and her guitars playing hundreds of shows. The album includes a French version of the bouncy tune Merry Go-Round, called “Le Manege.” Tori’s knowledge of the French language and her travels have greatly informed her lyrically-driven songwriting, and her vast range of influences, from Tom Waits to Joni Mitchell, has shaped her unique rhythms and uncanny voice. The thirteen songs on The Scorpion in the Story range from dusky, thumping blues, to sweet, folk-infused ballads.

The album quickly broke the Top 100 on the Americana Radio Charts, and is currently in the running for six possible Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist (details to come). The sultry murder ballad “Tall Towers” from the new album has been featured on the Paste Magazine New Music Sampler #53, on CMJ.com’s “New Music Download,”, and on Microsoft’s Windows Media Player homepage.

Sparks’ 2007 release, Under This Yellow Sun, garnered five-star reviews from the likes of All Music Guide and many more. The album was licensed to MTV, Lifetime, and Oxygen Networks for use in their 2009 television programming. Her single “Cold War” was included on the Universal Music France double-disc compilation (40,000+ copies sold). Her song “Caged Bird” was named one of the Top 12 DIY Downloads by Performing Songwriter magazine.

Please see ToriSparks.com for more information.

TOUR DATES »

Click here for Tori’s upcoming tour schedule.

PRESS »

“The talented Tori Sparks… is a knockout…”
–Joe McCombs, The Village Voice

“Here’s a singer/songwriter with the strong, eloquent vocals of Bonnie Raitt and the guitar mastery of Joni Mitchell… a bounty of subtle rock and haunting blues.”
–Nancy Dunham, Relix

“Tori Sparks is one of those independent singer-songwriters who’s so driven it seems like signing with a record label would only slow her down. Sparks sings with distinct intensity—Scorpion is bluesy folk-rock in a Tom Waits vein: rough-edged, worldly-wise and potent.
–Jewly Hight, The Nashville Scene

“The Scorpion in the Story is an Americana opera. I’ve listened to it at least a couple hundred times already.”
–Larry Timko, Down Home Cookin’ with Larry T (WKIX)

“Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen….I can see [Tori’s] name printed boldly amongst these illustrious phenomena…The Scorpion In The Story is definitely a keeper… Words fail me to describe why I enjoy it so much.”
–Evert Wilbrink, Folkwax

“Tori was simply spectacular on stage… I was enthralled by her performance and very much look forward to her gracing our fair city again sometime in the future. She is a true star with such enthusiasm, and completely original music that dives deeply into the hearts and minds of those lucky enough to see/hear her in person. Her stage presence is stunning…”
–Skyy Guy, CHLY 107.3FM (Vancouver, BC)

“Tori Sparks [is] a folky singer/songwriter graced with a fiery, gutsy delivery worthy of Ani DiFranco…” [5 stars]
– Margaret Reges; All Music Guide

“Drenched in drama, featuring Sparks’ torrid vocals splashed over self-penned, alternative roots-rock numbers that sizzle with authenticity.”
— LCB, Performing Songwriter

“Tori Sparks is a combination of Ani DiFranco steeped in Nashville and the Cowboy Junkies’ Margo Timmins hopped up on Red Bull. …Sparks’ songwriting, punctuated by her come-hither hair flips, proved to be a delicious mix. …Tori didn’t need a backing band; her witty banter and engaging storytelling—such as her detailed account of an almost-doomed gig in New York City, and a song about a session singer from Memphis taking a stand against an oppressive spouse—made for a wonderful performance.”
— Mel Mason, Tucson Weekly

“With the grit of Chrissie Hynde, the sadness of Martha Davis in the Motels, and the pure sensualness of Margo Timmins from the Cowboy Junkies, this girl hurls you onto planet Sparks and leaves you there …[Tori Sparks] is truly, one of the most original artists I have heard in a long, long time.”
–Rebecca Rego, Music News Nashville

More press at ToriSparks.com.

ALBUMS »

Under construction! In the meantime, please click here for a complete discography.

VIDEOS »

Visit the Glass Mountain Records YouTube Channel for Tori Sparks live footage and music videos.

COMPILATION DISCS »

Paste Magazine New Music Sampler: Issue #54
Song: “Tall Towers”
Released with June 2008 issue of the magazine.

The Campaign to Save Paste
Song: “Leaving Side of Love”
Also featuring The Decemberists, Neko Case, She & Him, Cowboy Junkies, Of Montreal, Indigo Girls, Jayhawks, String Cheese Incident, G. Love, Josh Rouse, The Hives, Matthew Sweet, The Avett Brothers, Over the Rhine, Bob Mould, Arrested Development, Brandi Carlile, John Doe, Josh Ritter, Marc Broussard, more. Proceeds went to benefit Paste Magazine.

Moozikoo: Best Indie Pop of 2008
Song: “Under the Rug”
With Various Artists.

Project Cure 2008
Song: “Under the Rug”
With Various Artists. Proceeds went to benefit the Immune Deficiency Foundation, National Ataxia Foundation, and the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.

Universal Music France: Country Vol. 2 (double-disc)
Song: “Cold War”
With Tim McGraw, Gary Allen, Wynonna, Shooter Jennings, Over the Rhine, more.

Paste Magazine New Music Sampler # 43
Song: “Cold War”
Released with June 2008 issue of the magazine.

Moozikoo Best of Indie Compilation
Song: “Caged Bird”
With Various Artists.

MSMF Multiple Sclerosis Music Fest 2006 Compilation CD
Song: “Remembering You”
All proceeds went to Montel Williams’ Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

Canadian Music Week Best Unsigned Artists of 2006
Song: “Red Letter Day”
Distributed to radio stations across Canada and industry attendees of Canadian Music Week conference.

A Taste of Triple A #16 Compilation (2006)
Song: “Trouble”
Featuring Brandi Carlile, Black Rebel Motorcyle Club, Mason Jennings, Rachael Sage, and more.

KSYM-FM Camp Victory Compilation for the Troops
Song: “Trouble”
Produced for local soldiers stationed in Iraq. Featuring Corinne Bailey Ray and more.

MEDIA KIT »

Click here for Tori’s Sonicbids EPK.