Sparkling (D)

Hailing from Cologne, the city that birthed the likes of Krautrock, and with LCD Soundsystem’s Al Doyle and Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard on production reins for their new EP “This Is My Life / Das Ist Mein Leben / C ́est Ma Vie” via Moshi Moshi Records, SPARKLING’s remarkable progression continues, having originally formed during their time studying at University and Art School in Cologne, where they developed a reputation live in their homeland for hot, heady and sweat-drenched club-room sets. A half-year-move to London followed, where they soon worked with Stereolab’s Andy Ramsayon for their debut LP ‘I Want To See Everything’; a jagged, quick-witted set of ten pop-flecked post-punk tunes, breaking them out of Germany and attracting widespread support across the BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders) and BBC 6 Music (Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq) airwaves, as well as an invitation to play at SXSW. “This Is My Life / Das Ist Mein Leben / C´est Ma Vie” stands on those same post-punk foundations but expands on them and – with the influence of Doyle and Goddard – sees Sparkling giddily move further towards the centre of the dancefloor. This EP is a celebration. It’s about coming back out into the open after months inside, it’s about celebrating the diversity of people rather than viewing our differences something to negate and control. Sparkling are a band who looks beyond borders and seek new terrains and this EP is a testament to that both personally and musically.

–– Simon Jay Catling

The performance is supported by the Czech-German Future Fund.