Painter, illustrator, author, songwriter and former Guided By Voices guitarist, TOBIN SPROUT reinvents his craft with a stark and poignant solo album, Empty Horses, a dramatic and unexpected departure from his previous work. The album is a meticulously observed study of America and Americana (not the music, but the state of mind). An alternative American Songbook, if you will, a collection of laments to simpler times and the struggle for what’s right, peppered with an examination of faith and the search for a sense of justice.
In Guided By Voices, (1986-1997, 2011-2014) Sprout penned classic songs including “Atom Eyes”, “It’s Like Soul Man”, “Gleemer”, “A Good Flying Bird”, “14 Cheerleader Coldfront”, and released solo albums on Matador, Burger and Fire Records.
On tour, Sprout will be joined by his longtime band with Tommy Schichtel, Steve Vermillion and Gary Vermillion.
Empty Horses (Fire Records):
“The perfect aural encapsulation of melancholy: in turns somnambulant, romantic and all-consuming” Rolling Stone
“A great pop song writer” Uncut
“Crumpled yet precise, confronting American Ghosts” ★★★★ Mojo
“Songwriting of this quality, with powers of suggestion and intimations of doubt, deserves an audience well beyond the historically-inclined.” The Line Of Best Fit
“Gorgeous” Aquarium Drunkard
Since their formation in late 2012, halfsour have consistently been one thing: rough around the edges. Throughout the last 6 years, the band has consistently produced ramshackle pop - a broad category that halfsour has explored, well, some of. From 2013’s jangle pop demo to 2019’s power pop meets post-grunge sophomore LP sticky, the melodic has always been prioritized and contrasted with the slacker-prone side of indie rock.