Sam Sparro
(born Sam Falson
on 8 November 1982) is a Grammy nominated Australian-born singer-songwriter of Portuguese descent, music producer and former child actor. His stage name was derived from a family nickname, which in turn was inspired by the Australian radio mascot Sammy Sparrow. He is signed to UK-based record label, Island Records. [1]
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SAM SPARRO TICKETS
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Biography
Born in
Sydney,
Australia, Sparro's singing talent was discovered at a young age after he moved with his family to
Los Angeles at age 10. His father had signed a deal there
[2] and was recording a
soul album, and took him to a church in
Tujunga,
Los Angeles to hear some of the genre's best singers. After hearing Sparro's singing through knowing the
McCrary family,
Chaka Khan became one of his early admirers.
[3]
His first job as a child actor was in a
McDonald's commercial.
[4]
He went to San Marino High School in Southern California briefly and he also got excluded from school many times.
He left Los Angeles and briefly returned to Sydney, where he lived with his grandparents and worked for a
public relations company, before travelling to the
United Kingdom, immersing himself in the British music scene in
London. He then had to leave the UK and returned to Los Angeles in 2002, where he took a job in a coffee shop frequented by Hollywood movie creatives.
[5] It was during these low points that he wrote his single,
Black and Gold
.
Sparro's father is Chris Falson, a gospel minister and recording artist
[6] of
Portuguese descent
[7]
who has written music for
Star Trek
and
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
.
[8] When growing up, Sparro regularly performed backing vocals at his father's concerts and on his music releases.
[9] He considers himself "a spiritual person, but ... not into any religion" and "a bit of a
gypsy".
[10] [11]
Sparro is openly gay. He recently did an interview for
Attitude
magazine and was featured on the front cover. He has been in a relationship with Adrian Gilliland, his stylist, for the last two years.
[12]
Career
In 2007, Sam Sparro charged Los Angeles-based PR firm, Gorgeous PR with handling his online and traditional publicity. Less than a year later, "
Black and Gold", debuted on the
UK Singles Chart at number 23 on 24 March 2008, and then climbed 19 places to number four on 31 March due to heavy download sales. On 13 April, it rose to number 2. "Black and Gold" was also used in a commercial for the British TV show
Skins
. It reached number 5 in the Irish Singles Chart. His debut album
Sam Sparro
was released in the UK on 28 April 2008.
[13]
In April 2008, he performed "
Black and Gold" on networked chart show,
hit40uk
and also in Jo Whiley's
Live Lounge on
BBC Radio 1, where he also covered "
American Boy" by
Estelle. On 18 April 2008, he appeared as the musical guest on
The Friday Night Project
, where he performed "
Black and Gold". He is also writing songs for
Lindsay Lohan's upcoming album
Spirit in the Dark
.
[14]
In September 2008, Sparro was nominated for 5
ARIA Music Awards.
His September 2008 tour formed part of the
Wonky Pop tour; Wonky Pop being a newly termed genre of music created by artists such as Sam Sparro and Alphabeat.
In
December 2008, Sam received a
Grammy Nomination for "
Best Dance Recording", alongside
Madonna,
Rihanna,
Daft Punk,
Hot Chip and
Lady GaGa, for his smash hit "
Black and Gold".
"Black and Gold" is also featured on the soundtrack of
FIFA 09
.
[15]
It's also featured on the soundtrack of the 2009 movie
Fame.
Sam sings in Basement Jaxx's 2009 single "Feelings Gone".
[16]
Discography
Studio albums
Year
| Album
| Chart Positions
| Sales
| Certifications (sales thresholds)
|
AUS
| IRE
| UK
| U.S. Elec
|
2008
| Sam Sparro
- First studio album
- Released: 28 April 2008 (UK)
| 23
| 38
| 4
| 9
|
|
|
Singles
Year
| Title
| Chart positions
| Album
|
AUS
| IRE
| DK
| NOR
| NZ
| UK
|
2007
| "Cottonmouth"
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| Sam Sparro
|
2008
| "Black and Gold"
| 4
| 5
| 10
| 4
| 12
| 2
|
"21st Century Life"
| 42
| —
| —
| —
| —
| 44
|
"Pocket" [18]
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|
References
- Interview - Sam Sparro
- Rockwired Interviews Sam Sparro
- About Sam Sparro
- Ten Things You Might Not Know...
- Eleanor Conway Presents: Sam Sparro
- Sam Sparro, Sam Sparro
- Entrevista com Sam Sparro: Ourives Pop
- Credits
- Gin Fizz - auf dem Plattenteller
- Paul Lester talks to Sam Sparro, pop's latest out gay star
- 21st Century Boy
- Sam Sparro's geek guru
- 'Sam Sparro' Out Today
- http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a116675/sparro-pens-tunes-for-lindsay-lohan.html
- EA’s FIFA Soccer 09 soundtrack scores
- Basement Jaxx - Scars (2009 Album)
- UK Chart certifications
- Pocket Third Single Popjustice