Recorded and mixed by Shane O’Mara at Yikesville Studio, Yarraville over last spring and our current summer. It’s a collection of songs I’ve been working on over the last few years - primarily written by myself, with one co-write from “Evil” Graham Lee (The Triffids | The Blackeyed Susans)
’Sparrow & Swan’ sees a gravitational pull towards the narrative, a change in direction and a newfound song writing process. Conversations turn into song, late night tales become the tunes - there are stories here from Brisbane cab drivers, girls from Belfast ‘74 in search of Van Morrison, football players and their protégés, relationships sparked in TABs, sightings of Robert Mitchum at Mitcham Station, a sailor in search of Helsinki ...and the weather - there’s always the weather, the extremities ~ the sun burning a hole in the sky or snow falling upon ancient ice ...and birds - what’s with the birds?
A delightful cast of musicians contributed to the recording of the album - including the vocal talents of songstress and singer extraordinaire Rebecca Barnard, along with the wonderkinds - Jane and Kelly aka Broads, the nimble fingers of Kiernan Box on piano, organ and accordion, along with both Ben Franz and Rosie Westbrook on double bass, and king tub thumper Ben Wiesner on drums and percussion. Add to this Shane O’Mara’s distinctive, intricate guitar work and production and the musical palette lies somewhere between Havana and Helsinki ~ think a cuban cigar with a liquorice ice cream.
The first single ‘All God’s Creatures’ is available here for your listening pleasure.
‘All God’s Creatures’ takes a stroll through a dramatic Australian summer day where our seasons clash big time, “the heat shakes the air ...and the rain vows to kiss the ground” ... and somehow within the struggle of grander ideas ~ the science of climate and the existence of a God.
Tracklisting:
1. Sparrow and Swan
2. Robert Mitchum at Mitcham Station
3. All God's Creatures
4. Chasing Van
5. Number 44
6. Equine Dreaming
7. That Whole Summer Long
8. Conversation with a Brisbane Cab Driver
9. Have You Ever Been To Helsinki?
Released: March 15 2019
VIEW THE ‘SPARROW & SWAN’ LYRICS
Sparrow & Swan is a brilliant album. Snarski has produced his best work to date and one of the best albums of the year - 9/10
[Spill Magazine | Canada]
One thing is clear Snarski is a born singer-songwriter, savouring subtle narrative details as much as every sumptuous syllable of his phrasing.
[The Weekend Australian]
Last night I saw Rob Snarski sing an eight minute song about two girls in Belfast crossing the peace lines in search of Van Morrison. If there’s a better song going around I’d like to hear it.
[Mick Thomas]
The voice is, as always, treacle poured on warm oats but the stories of Sparrow and Swan will keep you sated for days. A record that will have you wandering outside, adrift of time and geography, happy as a lark.
[Tim Rogers]
Artwork by Madeleine Stamer