We’ve done it before and we’re doing it again. We’re really happy to announce that we’ll be interviewing Sparta at their upcoming show at the Commodore, March 30th. It was such a pleasure to meet Jim Ward last year. He’s very intelligent, insightful, opinionated (in a good way) and sure can belt out the tunes.

Last November we had the pleasure of interviewing Jim Ward from Sparta for our podcast, RadioZoom [Episode #118][Miss604 Blog Post][RZ Blog Post].

You can check out the archived episode and if you like what you hear, either Jim’s point of view, his like of sushi or yes – the tunes – then you’re in luck. Sparta is coming back to Vancouver on March 30th, playing the Commodore [HOB]. I know a lot of people were upset that the last show at Richards on Richards sold out so quickly so here’s your chance.

Friday March 30th, 2007 @ The Commodore Ballroom – Tickets $17.50 – with guests, Moneen and Attack in Black.[Miss604]

Check out Episode #118 to hear our last interview with Jim Ward, and for more RadioZoom band meet n’ greets browse our “Interview” category. If you haven’t yet picked up their new album Threes I highly recommend you do so as well.

I’ll try to break it down as simple as possible, but you can get the long end of the story here. On March 22nd, the goal is to get an independent music artist to the top of the iTunes music chart. To do this, podcasters and enthusiasts alike have picked out who that would be and their particular song for this event. On that day only, the intent is to get everyone, that possibly can, to buy that song from the iTunes Music Store.

The band: Black Lab

The song: “Mine Again”

The purpose of this is to “prove the power of new media more than showing corporate media that not only can we exceed their reach and match their purchasing power, but that we can also do it AND make a positive difference in the world. If we can succeed with this small example, then there’s no telling what can do next.” (As quoted from the website)

The curious thing about Black Lab is that they were on a major label, only to get dropped. They have since moved into the independent realm of creating and promoting their music, adapting podcasting into their efforts. Therein lies a lot of the inspiration and consideration for choosing them for this effort.

If you’re interested in more of the details, then find more of the Bum Rush The Charts website. If you have US$.99 to spare on March 22nd, 2007, then you might be interested in joining the mob.

SPARTA LIVE ON CONAN!

Sparta will be performing live on Conan O’Brien this TUESDAY, JANUARY 16th! If you live in the NY area and are dying to attend, tickets are sold out, BUT you can call this number (212.664.3056) in case someone cancels to get on a waiting list!

Tune in to Conan O’Brien on NBC at 12:35AM on Tuesday (check your local listings)!

Public Sparta Show Added at Sundance!
If you live in the Park City or Salt Lake City area, we have good news for you! Sparta has added an evening show, open to the public at Star Bar!
Tickets are $15 at the door.

The Star Bar
“The Offical Music Venue of the Sundance Film Festival”
268 Main St
Park City, UT 84060
Doors @ 9PM

Aberdeen City [MySpace]:

“…we thought it appropriate to record a Christmas song in our hotel instead. We’re floating it out there as a free digital single for all of you, packaged with a never-released late night driving version of “God is Going To Get Sick of Me”. Use the below link to download the songs and the artwork.” www.aberdeenmusic.com/holidaysingle

Toss this one up to the power of new media? Maybe. It would be really interesting if Jim had any part in putting IC on the list. It’s a U.S. tour only, so check out their site for details on any changes or additions.

Take that, Ames!

Miss 604: I know The Cloud Room’s been crazy-busy over the last year: releasing your album in 2005, tours in Australia, Canada, US, festivals (SxSW), TV (talk shows, MTV, MuchMusic, etc.) … When did you get back home and have some downtime?

J: Back in March we had recorded two new songs (”Lord, I’m Tryin’” and “Eleanor F.”) and figured we just keep recording our 2nd album patchwork-style. We thought we were in for a long respite in June after our 6 months of touring ended in Australia. We settled back into our practice space to write the next album when we got asked by Muse of all people to tour. We couldn’t pass up 5,000-person crowds and plush dressing rooms overflowing with Doritos. The downside was we ended up SPENDING $6K on our own tour support (because our 1-album contract with Gigantic Records had ended). So we finally got back home with no money to record!

Miss 604: Did the writing process begin then or do you do any on the road?

J: I’m always working out new songs in my head as I travel from point A to point C, but we don’t work new stuff out as a band on tour much. We were all really excited about this new song, “Tomorrow Found Out”, so we rented a practice space while in Toronto in hopes of getting it ready to play in NYC. Didn’t quite happen in time.

Miss 604: I read about the unfortunate news last week (the fire in your apartment), aside from losing belongings and gear, how much content had you already created for the new album has been lost?

J: We had gone to Excello Studio in Brooklyn to record 4 songs-worth of drums and bass with the exceptional producer Brandon Mason. We then took the party back to our practice space to track the rest of the instruments. We had the place to ourselves because The Hold Steady were out on tour. Unfortunately, some of Brooklyn’s most motivated drummers were practicing all day long in every adjacent room, so we packed it up and moved to my apartment…

Miss 604: How much of a setback is it? (personally, and professionally)

J: Most everything but vocals had been recorded on the four new songs. I would consider it officially devastating since we had spent all our money on this project, hoping to lure Merge or Matador or Beggars or XL or Downtown Recs. or who-knows-who-else to accept us into their family. But, there’s still a chance that technologically-minded folks will be able to extract the actual music files from the crispy external hard drive! Everything else was just stuff that I could live without.

Miss 604: Is there a time line for getting the new album out?

J: We were pondering putting out an EP called Please Don’t Almost Kill Me (on account of we kind of accidentally used a lot of Hold Steady’s fancy equipment), whether with a label or on our own we weren’t sure; and then hopefully have the second album (tentatively entitled Paranoid Style) out Fall 2007.

Miss 604: On your next tour, could we anticipate a show in Vancouver, BC? …. please?

J: Ah, Vancouver! Back as a Freshman in college, a group of us drove up to Vancouver from Santa Cruz, CA for New Years so our 19 yr-old livers could partake in the holidays. We have rolls of film of us laughing at how odd it was to be able to smoke and drink in bars. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Miss 604: If any fans/generous, kind people would like to help out in any way what can they do?

J: I’ve been overwhelmed by the response…from Le Tigre donating clothes, to Gibson donating a guitar, to someone named Blair donating $100, to strangers offering shelter. It’s unexpected and heartwarming and makes the loss pale in comparison. My friend Jen set up a paypal account for donations but I can’t seem to find it! I’ll look some more.

If you can find some extra cash this holiday season, they’ve set up a PayPal account to take donations so they can replace what they can. Your generosity would be greatly appreciated.

Check back here in case you miss it. I’ll do my best to track it down online and give you a link to catch Jim and the guys play live on television. I know Rebecca and I are pretty excited. It’s almost like an honor to have done the interview with Jim[rz118] and then see them on national television. Neat stuff.

This week’s Band of the Week is deep-thinking, deep-feeling, Springsteen fan Phil Ayoub (pronounced A-yoob). This quintessential all American boy from Boston has taken the long way round to his music career. Phil did what all of us know we should after high school; he went to college. Boston College to be exact, and he earned his MBA. After college he joined a large investment firm but his secret passion for music wouldn’t die. [blogcritics]

Keep reading the rest of the interview here.

Sparta

It should be an exciting night, and we are looking forward to meeting the guys for a relaxed discussion about the band, the tour, and whatever the hell we want to talk about otherwise. Look for this episode to be published by early next week.

Be sure to thank Rebecca, the resident RadioZoom PR babe, for getting this hooked up.