Modern Folk Music from Northern California!
“With “Ghost Towns”, Spark & Whisper prove once again that they are top-shelf songwriters, and have a collaboration that renders musical magic: a fresh sound with gorgeous harmony, delivered with a passion that draws the listener in, to absorb the meaningful lyrics and savor the music.” -Lilli Kuzma, “Folk Festival”, WDCB Public Radio, Chicago
Spark & Whisper will be with their full band– Scott Johnon on Drums, Robert Powell on Pedal Steel, Paul Eastburn on Bass, and some special guests. A little blast from the past – Grandma’s Song, as performed in 20+ Northern California venues and festivals… The basis of this video is a live recording made at the Throckmorton Theatre.
Spark & Whisper is the musical collaboration of singer/songwriters Anita Sandwina & Velvy Appleton.
Beautiful things can evolve from humble beginnings. Anita & Velvy first crossed paths in 2003 at a late-night campsite jam at the Strawberry Music Festival. The night was dark, there were too many guitars strumming, some drunken howling, and the song selection was spotty at best. Even so, Anita & Velvy could feel it– the chemistry was there.
Two critically acclaimed albums, an east coast tour, and 100+ shows later, (including The Kate Wolf Festival & The Freight & Salvage) Appleton & Sandwina created Spark & Whisper in late 2010. Joining forces with drummer Scott Johnson & bassist Paul Eastburn, (the super-groovin’ rhythm section from Velvy’s Brazilian dance band, Nobody From Ipanema), they released their debut album, “Spark & Whisper”.
In performance, Spark & Whisper are pursuing transcendence—guiding and transporting the audience out of the mundane, into moments of higher consciousness and connection, and to an acknowledgement of our common humanity, our connected spirit. It is a wonderful thing to experience.
Opening the evening is Brindl, called “kind, sassy, and understanding” by the San Diego Troubadour, her dynamic voice, poetic songwriting, and compelling live performances have been captivating audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last decade. Inspired by songwriters like Patty Griffin and Ray Lamontagne, Brindl is equal parts modern-day troubadour and soulful songstress.
Brindl’s music is soulful folk-nouveau: a unique blend of singer-songwriter folk, soul, and blues.
She just released her third album, LOVE IT UP, and is the founder of the Moxy Music label and blog. (more atwww.brindl.com & www.moxymusic.org) Brindl was recently featured on FolkAlly.com as the featured open mic artist of July 2015 and Love It Up has been in rotation and featured on KRSH as the Oliver’s/KRSH Real Music album of the month.
