Hoosiers are glad to be back
The band are on the bill for this year’s Fi.Fest, bringing their blend of rock to audiences seeking the sound of the summer. JAKE CLOTHIER caught up with lead singer Irwin Sparkes to find out more
THE HOOSIERS are set to play Berkshire’s Fi.Fest in July, joining Reef and Dodgy at Stroud Farm in Maidenhead. Irwin Sparkes, The Hoosiers’ lead singer, says that he’s glad to be back after some time away.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting back to the day job after two un-self-imposed years off.”
He says this is especially so after his experience having children during lockdown.
“It’s just all been a lot of that and moving a couple of times and recording,
“But myself and Al, coming out of this have never been happier and more enthusiastic about the band.”
Irwin and bandmate Alan Sharland have been part of the Hoosiers since its inception in 2003.
Just a few years later in 2007, their first single reached number five in the UK charts.
“The singles lend themselves to be more upbeat, faster tempo songs, and Al as a co-writer has a natural proclivity for that side.
“But mine are more melancholy, morose numbers.”
Despite this, he says that a sense of humour is still necessary for a musician.
“I’d say part of it is a survival mechanism and part of it is being true to who we are,
“Being in a band is a ridiculous proposition, and it’s comical to spend this much time fretting over what note goes where.
“It’s a true luxury and to not have fun with that and make it apparent that you are enjoying that work would be disingenuous.”
It is this attitude that led the band to call their 2019 compilation album Greatest Hit(s), alluding to the bands most well-known song, Goodbye Mr A.
But Irwin says that this doesn’t mean they don’t take their work seriously too.
“We are very serious about the music itself, and we’re really dedicated to the craft of good songwriting,
“I think what’s expected of bands is hiding under sunglasses and wearing leather jackets,
“We’d rather try something a little bit braver, maybe that some people hate and that’s okay,
“But if you can be ignored, then you’re not really doing your job, especially in pop.”
Irwin says that the band is glad to be back playing festivals such as Fi.Fest.
“If you can’t do it, you value what you have got and we think every band is relishing being able to plug in and make some noise with people at last,
“You can feel it in the air, there’s a real appetite for it.”
Formed in Indianapolis, the band has spent much of its time in North America.
However both band members originally hail from the UK.
“I think the live music scene has always been very healthy in the UK and it’s always had a huge audience,
“But the government was very slow to get any sort of assistance over lockdown, and even then there’s a lot of question marks as to how that aid was awarded,
“I hope a lot of the grass roots venues that support and nourish bands when they’re starting out will still be able to continue and provide that platform.”
Irwin also notes those who have lost jobs in the industry as a result.
“I’m absolutely no expert, but I know there’s a real shortage now, finding technical crew, and even all of the infrastructure.
“This is government shortsightedness, not really understanding what keeps live music ticking,
But he says that the enjoyment of both acts and audiences will see live music continue.
“It’s one of the best things about being in a band is when you get to play a festival, and you’ve got a good line-up, and you actually want to see the other bands,
“We’ve played with Reef a couple of times, but I didn’t really know what to expect,
“I knew the songs growing up, but then you see them and genuinely I think they’re one of our best rock bands,
“I do think that’s a band that needs to be seen.”
The Hoosiers will be playing at Fi.Fest in Maidenhead on Saturday, July 9, alongside Reef and Dodgy. For tickets, visit: www.fifest.co.uk.
AN AWARD-WINNING folk quintet is coming to Nettlebed next week.
The regular folk club is welcoming Imar for its gathering on Monday, April 25.
The Irish/Manx/Scottish rooted group perform songs that are rooted in the shared cultural heritages between the countries.
They have released two albums so far, and have a wide-reaching fanbase over here and also in the Americas and Europe.
Adam Brown (bodhrán), Adam Rhodes (bouzouki), Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ryan Murphy(uilleann pipes) and Tomás Callister (fiddle) share a strong background in Irish music; a grounding that underpins many of Ímar’s distinctive qualities, in both instrumentation and material.
You can hear them for yourself in the intimate settings of Nettlebed Village Hall. The club is running at 80% capacity due to the pandemic. Doors open at 7.50pm.
■ For more details and tickets, call the box office between 10am and 8pm on 01628 636620, or log on to www. nettlebedfolkclub.co.uk