Pop-duo Sparks, composed of Ron and Russell Mael, are hitting the road for the first time in the 2020s. Following the release of their 2023 album, The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte, the brothers will be touring across the world and stopping in Chicago on July 5.
Growing up in west Los Angeles County, Ron and Russell knew early on what kind of music they wanted to make. Sick of the folk scene in the late 60s and early 70s, they became obsessed with English bands. In turn, their second album A Woofer in Tweeter’s Clothing, performed very well in the UK, leading to a steady fanbase across the pond. From 1971 until the present, the duo has released over 20 studio albums and has defined the genre of synth pop.
While the duo’s early albums incorporate elements of bubblegum pop and more mainstream genres, they have ventured into techno and synth pop as of late, settling into an art pop style. Their newest album, The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte, is described by the brothers as “provocative and challenging,” in the tradition of them putting out something brand new into the music sphere.
Sparks is also known for Russell’s distinctive falsetto and Ron’s intricate keyboard style. The two juxtapose each other with Russell being an animated lead singer, while Ron will often deadpan stare out into the crowd. Outside of music, the brothers have ventured into film, composing the music for the 2021 film Annette, and serving as the subject of Edgar Wright’s The Sparks Brothers documentary.
You can catch the duo on July 5 in Chicago at Copernicus Center. Tickets are still available at this link.
Location: Copernicus Center
Address: 5216 W. Lawrence Ave. 60630 Chicago, IL, US
Show Time: 7:30
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Ticket Price: $47- $200+
Age: All Ages
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