sparta
When the world came to a halt, Jim Ward couldn’t stop moving. He’d just released a reunion album, Trust the River, as the frontman of Sparta when the pandemic hit, and as tour dates dried up, Ward returned to the studio. A year later, he debuted his raucous solo record Daggers and now he’s offering up yet another Sparta album to the world. “I was pretty anxious and depressed, and when I feel that way I know I have to do something with myself so I don’t self-destruct,” Ward says. “This project started in the midst of lockdown; I’d turn on Logic, retreat to my studio, and just get lost for a few hours.”
The resulting collection of songs were entirely written on keys in what Ward considers an effort to stretch musical muscles he wouldn’t otherwise have had the expanse of time to indulge in. Boldly self-titled some 20-odd years into Sparta’s career, the album serves as a kind of reintroduction to the band, what Ward calls “a fresh slate.” Formed in the aftermath of At the Drive-In’s break up, the band underwent many lineup changes with Ward as its sole steadfast member; at this point, “Sparta” is synonymous with “Jim Ward.” On Sparta, he’s joined by the band’s longtime bassist/percussionist Matt Miller, along with a consortium of collaborators who contributed to the album remotely, including Tucker Rule, whose percussion you hear on Daggers. Others include Thursday’s Geoff Rickly, guitarist Michael James Adams, and keyboardist Kenny Hopper.
“It’s been really important for me to grow past the music I was making before and to let go of what I perceived to be the ‘rules,’” Ward reflects. “Recording in a totally different way with artists I admire – some of whom I didn’t even know personally until I texted asking if they wanted to join me on this new record – was so enlivening during a grim time.”
The overall effect of Sparta is one of relentless positivity, an optimism that can eclipse the darkest days. “Even though I carry quite a bit of depression with me, I always wake up in a good mood. Every day of my life, I wake up positive,” Ward reflects. “Writing this when the entire world had stopped, there was an opportunity to lose that sense of possibility.” But he refused to let that happen.
Sparta supported the release in October of 2022 with a tour around America with old friends The Get Up Kids. The ability to get back on the road and see fans face to face was incredibly rewarding. There was one subject that came up over and over again while on tour. Wiretap Scars.
The debut record was released 20 years ago and fans kept asking the band members about a tour to celebrate. “The idea of an anniversary tour was thrown around but I was on the fence to be honest,” remembers Ward. “After talking with fans on The Get Up Kids tour, I was sold. Let’s do it- but let’s do it our way.”
Jim Ward is not a “live in the past” kind of person. “I loved making that record and have a lot of great memories, but I also have a lot of not so great memories from that time period- it took me a long time to feel good in these shoes again. The band has evolved and I have no desire to go backwards.”
“I’m excited to play these songs and hear folks sing along, but I am who I am now. I would never want to be 26 years old again- I barely survived the first time. So I will play these songs as a 46 year old man, who is finally in a very happy, healthy place. I will work my ass off though, that never changes.”
Sparta begin The Wiretap Scars 20th Anniversary Celebration Tour in May and will continue through the rest of 2023, at least.
Homebase: El Paso, Texas
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For avails and/or offers, contact: Brian@WIREDtourbooking.com
