Press

QUOTES

Sparkbird shows a compelling ability to infuse emotional lyrical insight amidst an engaging, hooky production.
— Mike Mineo, Obscure Sound (on “November”)

The song ends and I fumble around to hit “play” again. . . . Nance’s vocal is quiet and fluid, dynamic and expressive, savoring the sounds of the words as much as their meaning.
— Ken Cormier, Ball of Wax (on “Minor Holiday”)

“Disembodied Mind” engrosses [with] cinematic-feeling strings and intimate vocals reminding stirringly of Andrew Bird.
— Mike Mineo, Obscure Sound

They are a modern-day Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen type, devoted to diving into the intricacies of living and experiencing the world as human beings.
— Good Music Radar (on “I Am Not a Stranger Here”)

[The] integration of human and avian worlds is a hallmark of Nance’s singing throughout [Look at the Harlequins!]; listeners are everywhere invited to experience Nance’s perceptions of place both at home and abroad, and how it affects us to be in and know a place.
— Frank Izaguirre, Birding Magazine

More than being a skilled pianist with an astounding knack for wordplay, Stephan captivates with their effortlessly genuine and infinitely warmhearted nature.
— Erika Balint, Low-Fi Concerts (Copenhagen)

Nance's songs are an avenue to express things that bother [them] . . . [They're] a thoughtful, complicated person, and [their] piano-based songs reflect this.
— Serena Markstrom, The Register-Guard

An extremely unique breath of fresh air… One of Oregon’s greatest kept secrets, [they blend] the perfect element of charming piano and a voice that can truly stand on its own. Stephan could very well be the lovechild of Jukebox the Ghost and The Decemberists, which is truly a compliment.
— Jane Lambert, Modern Mystery

A masterpiece of contemporary musical artistry.
— Rubin Mathias, Sinusoidal Music (on “November”)

Sparkbird compels a slice-of-life aesthetic that is reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens and Joni Mitchell. Their sound is characterized by the pronounced use of orchestral instrumentation that sweeps us off our feet.
— Good Music Radar (on “Silent Film”)

Sparkbird's soulful songs impress with their personality and vulnerability.
— Indie Dock UK (on “Silent Film”)

A masterclass in endearing storytelling and earnest, honest appeal.
— Clout (on “I Am Not a Stranger Here”)

A rising star in the indie music and literary scene.
— IndieMusicFlix (on “Envy”)

The appeal of Sparkbird is in the surrender of their artistic process to whimsy and experimentation.
— Good Music Radar (on “Envy”)

There is more than just the red hair in common with the likes of Kate Nash, Regina Spektor, and Lenka. These tracks, consistent with Stephan’s sound, contain large amounts of genuine wonderings on top of layers of upbeat melancholy and optimism.
— Samuel Lora, Examiner

Reminiscent of the early days of Ben Folds, this young American songwriter has garnered a lot of attention with [their] quirky, upbeat piano ballads… Highly recommended.
— Daniel Orstrander, Nagmag (Nagoya, Japan)

[Their] voice is not the voice of a generation or the majority, but [their] upbeat, quirky piano pop deals in fun, the environment and optimism.
— Rex Duffy, The Guardian