I love how Ron's face really lights up when he smiles, while at the same time he's capable of looking pretty menacing. These guys are the kind you'll see once in a lifetime.
I have been a fan for 50 years. Great interview. Ron and Russell are two of the most humble people on this earth. So much talent interwined in these two brothers. They are sooooo underrated and don't get the attention that is due to them. They have stayed true to themselves for over 50 years. The documentary revived my love for them.
I was born in 1999 so I just now The Sparks Brothers because of that one episode on Gilmore Girls and I'm so thankful that this kind of documentary exists because it introduced me deeply in the meaning of Sparks' trajectory. So thanks, Mr. Wright for that and to Ron and Russel for everything! Such humble human beings.
The Mael's are absolute geniuses! There's something in every album of theirs that's different to hear that no other living artists have achieved. I've been a fan since 1974 and I cannot wait to see this documentary.
I saw Sparks on "Rock Concert", hosted by Keith Moon with an appearance by Ring Starr, when I was a teen. They performed This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us and Talent Is An Asset. On the following Monday after school I went to the local record shop and snagged a copy of Kimono My House and I still have that record some 42+ years later. It is still one of my favorite albums. Thank you Ron & Russell for all the good music.
Pretty much in agreement with everything said below - such a good interview; relaxed, warm, witty, charming and thoroughly engaging. Great questions, and genuine responses. Having been an ardent fan of Edgar Wright’s work since ‘Is It Bill Bailey?’, through Spaced, and all of his films to date, I was gutted to then miss out on seeing ‘The Sparks Brothers’ on its cinematic run. I was overjoyed to instead receive the DVD for Christmas… I’ve watched it at least four times already, and have loved it more upon each viewing. I was somewhat less familiar however with Sparks’ broader body of work, although I’d long been aware of ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough…’ However, I was properly ‘switched on’ to them once I heard their 1994 comeback single ‘When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’ ‘? (still a perennial personal fave). As far as my own personal take on the band goes, Edgar’s superb documentary has achieved exactly what he had set out to - it’s given me a beautifully drawn overview of not only Sparks’ extraordinary body of work, and indeed the uneven successes of their career, but it has also left me with a much deeper awareness, appreciation and respect for the band than I’d had previously, and I can’t wait to start properly delving into their admittedly somewhat daunting catalogue of work. Demonstrating such strength of resolve, determination and self-belief in their own creative vision, that Ron & Russell have weathered so many career storms and come through it all the stronger for it, is really quite touching - this frequently regular poignancy in the film touched far more emotional nerves than I would have anticipated of a music documentary. It’s as much testament to Edgar’s storytelling skills as a director (his passion for his subject clearly helping to inform much of the film) as it is to the strength of the Brothers Mael, and their bond not just as brothers but as creative partners, that makes ‘The Sparks Brothers’ such a charming film to watch (multiple times) - hats off to all concerned, it’s a truly masterful documentary.
I saw this on Netflix on a Saturday, then spent all day Sunday buying their 28 albums and soundtracks. I really feel like I’ve missed out following this band through the years!
Love Sparks since Kimono My House came out in 1974 when I was 21. They were WAY ahead of their time, and are simply unbelievably talented performers and songwriters, unique without peer. I can't wait to see the documentary! UA-cam these other awesome Sparks songs- Dick Around, Perfume, The Rhythm Thief, Beat the Clock, Waterproof, and pretty much the whole Kimono My House Album, which is filled with genius lyrics and dramatic melodies that could have been from Broadway!
I really love to watch this interview again and again. Great questions and it's simply fun to watch with such lovable people. Gotta love Sparks as musicians and as the Ron and Russell they are. So warm-hearted 💖
I feel like I have just been having that chat myself with ron and russell over tea and biscuits. I totally get where theyr'e coming from especially in relation with people having such set views on things and being hand fed a set of beliefs. So out of the box as ever. I have always loved them. I was only a little girl when i first saw them and Thay are as fresh today as they were then. I am so happy they are still performing and cannot wait to see them again. I even saw them in Fareham community centre about twenty years ago,such a modest venue. Met them once,love to again. Can't wait. X
It’s a fine documentary that gives me a better appreciation of their music. Really looking forward to exploring their many albums and Kimono my House sounds like a great place to start.
Love this interview. Can’t think of a greater proof of cultural impact, than for Auteur Edgar Wright to want to make a Doc about you, fellow Auteurs and Legends.
Ron and Russell are *sooo* refreshing ! And the interviewer were so fitting to do this. They asked some great questions. And the Mael brothers are sharp and very thoughtful in their responses. Sometimes I too get so tired of "rock stars" self pity parties...And sometimes being combative... well done !
Dear Russell dear Ron Congratulations with your amazing documentary! ! I am so excited had to seen it soon! I pull my fictive hat for so an otherworldy long career RESPECT! ! Thanks for your wonderful humanity, unique, meanful, truest, authentic, heartwarmed MUSIC! ! This is the biggest beautiful present that you have given us! Take care of both of you! We need you and the music from you more than ever in this horrible times! " MINE IS YOURS, AND YOURS IS MINE " NOW WE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD " WORLD " I love you so much guys! Lovely Greetings
I loved ♥ Sparks since a kid and as a teen was a Sparks fanatic after hearing Propaganda etc and buying all their records etc and 💿 cds and dvds 📀 when got older! They where quircky and unusual and where able to make changes that at first didn't like as much as earlier work but later came to appreciate all their attempts at diversity! I remained a die hard Sparks fanatic no matter what they produced really!
Kimono My House should be on any "100 Greatest Rock Albums" list, but Sparks have always been so enigmatic, moist people didn't even know what nationality they were. I saw that era Sparks on a TV Concert when I was about 14, and was an instant fan. I was into Bowie/Spiders and Mott, and Sparks had that same intensity. But they were always changing - probably their recipe for longevity, but it probably cost them that "One Big Record". I'll always love these zany lugs!
Really good video. I am expecting the Blu-ray of Sparks Brothers later today -cannot wait. I re bear seeing them on their Top of the Pops premiere in mid 1970s.
There was a great early fandom anime store in Emeryville, Ca called "Kimono My House".(been there in the 1980s/90s)..and i remember now that Tim Burton was supposed to develop a live action Mai the Psychic Girl movie and Sparks did the music. My mind is blown!!!!!
I'm a completist. If I get into a band, I start with the first record, and track their evolution that way. I'm glad I started there, because my new favorite Sparks song is on "A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing".
Yup, nice guys that you can run into at a coffee stand in the morning and have a nice conversation about Orson Welles' Touch of Evil, then go on with your day.
That's the first band I have listened in my life ( somewhere 40+ years ago) , of course Sparks is the best! ! Do you know where documentary will be available? Which TV channel or how it will be distributed?
I love how Ron's face really lights up when he smiles, while at the same time he's capable of looking pretty menacing.
These guys are the kind you'll see once in a lifetime.
The Mael brothers are beyond charming, talented, intelligent and to me beautiful .All with a touch of humility.I am smitten in every way.
I have been a fan for 50 years. Great interview. Ron and Russell are two of the most humble people on this earth. So much talent interwined in these two brothers. They are sooooo underrated and don't get the attention that is due to them. They have stayed true to themselves for over 50 years. The documentary revived my love for them.
I was born in 1999 so I just now The Sparks Brothers because of that one episode on Gilmore Girls and I'm so thankful that this kind of documentary exists because it introduced me deeply in the meaning of Sparks' trajectory. So thanks, Mr. Wright for that and to Ron and Russel for everything! Such humble human beings.
The Mael's are absolute geniuses! There's something in every album of theirs that's different to hear that no other living artists have achieved. I've been a fan since 1974 and I cannot wait to see this documentary.
I saw Sparks on "Rock Concert", hosted by Keith Moon with an appearance by Ring Starr, when I was a teen. They performed This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us and Talent Is An Asset. On the following Monday after school I went to the local record shop and snagged a copy of Kimono My House and I still have that record some 42+ years later. It is still one of my favorite albums. Thank you Ron & Russell for all the good music.
I'm literally just this second learning about the Sparks but I'm sure my mind shall be blown!!
Pretty much in agreement with everything said below - such a good interview; relaxed, warm, witty, charming and thoroughly engaging. Great questions, and genuine responses.
Having been an ardent fan of Edgar Wright’s work since ‘Is It Bill Bailey?’, through Spaced, and all of his films to date, I was gutted to then miss out on seeing ‘The Sparks Brothers’ on its cinematic run. I was overjoyed to instead receive the DVD for Christmas… I’ve watched it at least four times already, and have loved it more upon each viewing.
I was somewhat less familiar however with Sparks’ broader body of work, although I’d long been aware of ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough…’ However, I was properly ‘switched on’ to them once I heard their 1994 comeback single ‘When Do I Get To Sing ‘My Way’ ‘? (still a perennial personal fave).
As far as my own personal take on the band goes, Edgar’s superb documentary has achieved exactly what he had set out to - it’s given me a beautifully drawn overview of not only Sparks’ extraordinary body of work, and indeed the uneven successes of their career, but it has also left me with a much deeper awareness, appreciation and respect for the band than I’d had previously, and I can’t wait to start properly delving into their admittedly somewhat daunting catalogue of work.
Demonstrating such strength of resolve, determination and self-belief in their own creative vision, that Ron & Russell have weathered so many career storms and come through it all the stronger for it, is really quite touching - this frequently regular poignancy in the film touched far more emotional nerves than I would have anticipated of a music documentary.
It’s as much testament to Edgar’s storytelling skills as a director (his passion for his subject clearly helping to inform much of the film) as it is to the strength of the Brothers Mael, and their bond not just as brothers but as creative partners, that makes ‘The Sparks Brothers’ such a charming film to watch (multiple times) - hats off to all concerned, it’s a truly masterful documentary.
I saw this on Netflix on a Saturday, then spent all day Sunday buying their 28 albums and soundtracks. I really feel like I’ve missed out following this band through the years!
Love Sparks since Kimono My House came out in 1974 when I was 21. They were WAY ahead of their time, and are simply unbelievably talented performers and songwriters, unique without peer. I can't wait to see the documentary! UA-cam these other awesome Sparks songs- Dick Around, Perfume, The Rhythm Thief, Beat the Clock, Waterproof, and pretty much the whole Kimono My House Album, which is filled with genius lyrics and dramatic melodies that could have been from Broadway!
I really love to watch this interview again and again. Great questions and it's simply fun to watch with such lovable people. Gotta love Sparks as musicians and as the Ron and Russell they are. So warm-hearted 💖
I feel like I have just been having that chat myself with ron and russell over tea and biscuits. I totally get where theyr'e coming from especially in relation with people having such set views on things and being hand fed a set of beliefs. So out of the box as ever. I have always loved them. I was only a little girl when i first saw them and Thay are as fresh today as they were then. I am so happy they are still performing and cannot wait to see them again. I even saw them in Fareham community centre about twenty years ago,such a modest venue. Met them once,love to again. Can't wait. X
It’s a fine documentary that gives me a better appreciation of their music. Really looking forward to exploring their many albums and Kimono my House sounds like a great place to start.
Great interview, really put a smile on my face 🙂
Love this interview. Can’t think of a greater proof of cultural impact, than for Auteur Edgar Wright to want to make a Doc about you, fellow Auteurs and Legends.
Ron and Russell are *sooo* refreshing ! And the interviewer were so fitting to do this. They asked some great questions. And the Mael brothers are sharp and very thoughtful in their responses. Sometimes I too get so tired of "rock stars" self pity parties...And sometimes being combative... well done !
Dear Russell dear Ron
Congratulations with your amazing documentary! ! I am so excited had to seen it soon! I pull my fictive hat for so an otherworldy long career RESPECT! !
Thanks for your wonderful humanity, unique, meanful, truest, authentic, heartwarmed MUSIC! ! This is the biggest beautiful present that you have given us!
Take care of both of you! We need you and the music from you more than ever in this horrible times! " MINE IS YOURS, AND YOURS IS MINE " NOW WE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD " WORLD " I love you so much guys! Lovely Greetings
I wholeheartedly agree with your words !
Beautiful warm words for these geniuses and wonderful human beings!
I loved ♥ Sparks since a kid and as a teen was a Sparks fanatic after hearing Propaganda etc and buying all their records etc and 💿 cds and dvds 📀 when got older! They where quircky and unusual and where able to make changes that at first didn't like as much as earlier work but later came to appreciate all their attempts at diversity! I remained a die hard Sparks fanatic no matter what they produced really!
I am new to Sparks, and I am a music collector. They are unique and fantastic. WOW
Remember when this town came out..love everything they've done since ...
OMG i just love Ron and Russell Mael I got there cd and t shirt u can my big brothers anytime love your music keep up the good work 👍👍👍☺☺☺😊😊😊💋💋💋
Love to see the doc
It was great - go and see it!
Kimono My House should be on any "100 Greatest Rock Albums" list, but Sparks have always been so enigmatic, moist people didn't even know what nationality they were. I saw that era Sparks on a TV Concert when I was about 14, and was an instant fan. I was into Bowie/Spiders and Mott, and Sparks had that same intensity. But they were always changing - probably their recipe for longevity, but it probably cost them that "One Big Record". I'll always love these zany lugs!
Agree
Really good video. I am expecting the Blu-ray of Sparks Brothers later today -cannot wait. I re bear seeing them on their Top of the Pops premiere in mid 1970s.
There was a great early fandom anime store in Emeryville, Ca called "Kimono My House".(been there in the 1980s/90s)..and i remember now that Tim Burton was supposed to develop a live action Mai the Psychic Girl movie and Sparks did the music. My mind is blown!!!!!
I'm a completist. If I get into a band, I start with the first record, and track their evolution that way. I'm glad I started there, because my new favorite Sparks song is on "A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing".
Lovely interview
I listen mainly to metal but Sparks are one of my all time favorite music artists. Lil Beethoven is their magnum opus
Yup, nice guys that you can run into at a coffee stand in the morning and have a nice conversation about Orson Welles' Touch of Evil, then go on with your day.
That's the first band I have listened in my life ( somewhere 40+ years ago) , of course Sparks is the best! ! Do you know where documentary will be available? Which TV channel or how it will be distributed?
Ron looks like if Ian McKellan played Poirot.
😍😍😍
What a transition! From Hitler to Tojo!!!
Straight up, the Sparks brothers look like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.
Edgar should direct Beverly Hills Cop 4
You JUST RIDE OTHER PEOPLES FAME..UR FAME IS ICECREAM APPARANTLY...XX