Indie Rock's Best Well-Kept Secret
By Andy Argyrakis, senior music editor, gmclife.com
To alternative and indie rock fans, the name Aaron Sprinkle is one of the most recognizable and respected, if only for the lengthy lists of projects he’s been involved with, coupled with artistic innovation on all accounts. He may be a less familiar face to more casual listeners, though chances are even the most unaware Christian music fan owns a CD that he’s performed on, written for, or produced. Need proof? Just check out these six degrees of separation, or more literally, a half dozen major undertakings in the switch hitter’s career thus far, starting with the scoop on fronting the band Fair, who just dropped the sophomore album Disappearing World (Tooth & Nail).
More than merely Fair
The moniker for Sprinkle’s latest band is definitely deceiving considering the mounds of critical acclaim its 2006 debut The Best Worst-Case Scenario received, followed by the escalating buzz behind a follow-up that’s been nearly four years in the making. For those already in the know, the group is known for near-perfect pop hooks with an indie rock slant to tip the scales a little closer to the underground than the mainstream. Even so, there’s plenty of radio potential in the three-minute ditties derived from key 1960s, ’70s and even a few ’80s influences.
“We really just let our core influences come out with no restrictions,” Sprinkle tells gmclife.com of the catchy sound. “It’s very Smiths, New Order, Cure, Pink Floyd and Beatles meets 21st century.”
While a musician’s dream come true, there are plenty of relatable moments for the average listener, thanks to Sprinkle’s relatively broad thematic brushstrokes. Seamlessly blending generalities with poetic explorations results in ten equally likeable tunes, a completely unpredictable, accessibly arty exposition.
“I really wanted every line of this record to have weight,” he assures. “I wanted to make sure that I could sing every song with conviction. Thematically it’s about a lot of the usual stuff: life, love and loss. I’d say it’s also about the struggles we face in life and how the only victory we’ll ever see over them is through surrendering to Christ.”
Solo strides
Prior to forming Fair, Sprinkle’s artist career was steeped in singer/songwriter sensibilities, spanning four full-length CDs, an EP and live project from 1999–2004. Though many of these releases hit the street on smaller record labels that have since gone by the wayside, they’re nothing short of legendary projects for die-hards, who will have to wait for an indefinite period for his next individual offering.
“It’s really a seasonal thing for me,” Sprinkle confides. “I write for a specific project and I’m not really in solo mode right now. Maybe someday I’ll do another solo record. [As far as my favorite solo CD], I’d have to say [2001’s] Bareface, as far as the proper records go. It’s the one that really came together the way I envisioned it. I think [2004’s] Lackluster is pretty cool though too.”
