Biography
Australian-born vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Sam Sparro first captured widespread attention across the United Kingdom upon issuing his debut single “Black and Gold” in 2008. Rooted in contemporary R&B yet propelled by gospel-honed vocal delivery, his sound also nods to the 1980s while remaining firmly contemporary through cutting-edge electronic dance production, prompting parallels with both Prince and the Gap Band alongside Hot Chip and Basement Jaxx.
Born Sam Falson on November 8, 1984, in Sydney, Australia, he relocated at the age of ten alongside his family to Los Angeles. As the son of gospel singer Chris Falson, he began performing in church settings and soon pursued acting and dance, appearing in commercials and stage productions from an early age. At seventeen he embarked on travels that first took him back to Sydney and onward to London, where he immersed himself in the local scene by taking temporary positions at record labels, composing material at home during spare hours, and frequenting clubs on weekends. When his visa lapsed and funds dwindled, Sparro headed once more to Los Angeles, securing work at a coffee shop while persisting with songwriting.
Eventually he connected with Jesse Rogg, who signed him to the independent Modus Vivendi Music imprint and issued the six-track Black and Gold EP toward the end of 2007. The lead track gained rapid traction, securing a contract with Island Records in the United Kingdom. Following its major-label reissue in March 2008, “Black and Gold” had already climbed the U.K. singles chart, aided by extensive BBC Radio 1 rotation, and continued its upward trajectory in subsequent weeks.
Throughout 2008 Sparro completed and unveiled his self-titled debut full-length album. He resurfaced in 2013 with Return to Paradise, an album steeped in old-school disco and R&B that spotlighted the single “Happiness.” Over the next three years he delivered a sequence of EPs, beginning with Quantum Physical, Vol. 1 in late 2014, followed by Vol. 2 the subsequent year and Vol. 3: Conspiracy during summer 2016. Just ahead of the holiday period in 2017, Sparro issued Christmas in Blue, a four-song covers EP that included the Charlie Brown favorite “Christmas Time Is Here,” Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” and additional selections.
Born Sam Falson on November 8, 1984, in Sydney, Australia, he relocated at the age of ten alongside his family to Los Angeles. As the son of gospel singer Chris Falson, he began performing in church settings and soon pursued acting and dance, appearing in commercials and stage productions from an early age. At seventeen he embarked on travels that first took him back to Sydney and onward to London, where he immersed himself in the local scene by taking temporary positions at record labels, composing material at home during spare hours, and frequenting clubs on weekends. When his visa lapsed and funds dwindled, Sparro headed once more to Los Angeles, securing work at a coffee shop while persisting with songwriting.
Eventually he connected with Jesse Rogg, who signed him to the independent Modus Vivendi Music imprint and issued the six-track Black and Gold EP toward the end of 2007. The lead track gained rapid traction, securing a contract with Island Records in the United Kingdom. Following its major-label reissue in March 2008, “Black and Gold” had already climbed the U.K. singles chart, aided by extensive BBC Radio 1 rotation, and continued its upward trajectory in subsequent weeks.
Throughout 2008 Sparro completed and unveiled his self-titled debut full-length album. He resurfaced in 2013 with Return to Paradise, an album steeped in old-school disco and R&B that spotlighted the single “Happiness.” Over the next three years he delivered a sequence of EPs, beginning with Quantum Physical, Vol. 1 in late 2014, followed by Vol. 2 the subsequent year and Vol. 3: Conspiracy during summer 2016. Just ahead of the holiday period in 2017, Sparro issued Christmas in Blue, a four-song covers EP that included the Charlie Brown favorite “Christmas Time Is Here,” Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” and additional selections.
Albums
Singles
