New music video from Sparkbird

Sparkbird is the project of non-binary queer singer-songwriter Stephan Nance and has always been about fusing the beauty of nature with the complexities of human relationships. Their music, which has been featured by the National Audubon Society, Birding Magazine, Homoground, and Rock the Pigeon, is a testament to their love of birds and their commitment to environmental activism.

Stephan lives in Portland, Oregon with their partner Adam, a 14-year-old Senegal parrot named Georgie, and a 43-year-old Yellow-naped parrot named Fred. This love of birds and the natural world is evident in their music, and it’s what makes Sparkbird’s sonic offering so special.

Since 2017, Sparkbird has been performing globally, with three tours of Japan and others in the UK, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, and Italy. Their shows regularly warm the hearts of Sofar Sounds audiences across the U.S. and have won over fans with their unique sound and intimate performances.

In 2020, Sparkbird released their second album, Look at the Harlequins! under the name Stephan Nance. The album, which includes references to 21 species of birds, features a Harlequin Duck-inspired makeup design created by paleontologist Dr. Lisa Buckley. The album showcases Sparkbird’s commitment to birds and their place in our world, and is a perfect showcase of the artist’s love of nature and the environment.

In 2021, they released their apocalyptic debut single “Minor Holiday” which features musicians Mathias Kunzli, Yoed Nir, Jeni Magana, Lisa Parrott, and Greta Gertler. The song was created in the midst of the 2020 bushfires in Australia and the looming threat of COVID-19. It captures the growing numbness of a bystander to a series of global catastrophes and offers a sobering look at the world we live in.

Sparkbird’s latest single, “Varied Thrush,” is a celebration of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC birders, and a quest to find one of the artist’s favorite birds: the Varied Thrush. The single, which incorporates the eerie and melancholic song of the Pacific Northwest bird, is about staying in a relationship too long and the quiet moments of reflection that often come with that experience.

The music of Sparkbird is a celebration of life, love, and the environment. Their songs are a reminder of the beauty and majesty of the world around us, and of our place within it. With “Varied Thrush,” Sparkbird once again proves their championing of the environment and their passion for the world of birds. Whether you’re a fan of birds, environmental activism, or just good music, Sparkbird’s sound is sure to touch your heart and move your soul.

Watch the music video for Varied Thrush below