Sparta, the El Paso band featuring Jim Ward, has announced the October 14 release of a new self-titled album (Dine Alone Records). Today they share the first single “Mind Over Matter,” a rollicking song that distills Ward’s most essential philosophy into something an audience might scream right back at him when he shouts, “Anybody can do anything!” Ward shares, “A spitfire of a riff that screamed hope and possibilities- the music directed the lyrics and I wrote about anybody being able to do anything, hope grown from love- a direct call to myself to write about and sing about the good things in life. The extremely talented Kayleigh Goldsworthy added harmonies and sealed the vibe- one of my favorites from this album.“  

Angelica Garcia’s expressive voice joins Ward’s for the single’s b-side, “Spiders,” a piano-led, gothic epic written as if intended to shakedown heaven. 

The two songs are available as a 2-track cassette being sold on Sparta’s tour as well as via a Dine Alone bundle with the album pre-order. Find that here.  

Sparta will hit the road on Monday, August 22, for a US tour with the Get Up Kids. The tour starts in  Dallas, TX and concludes in Philadelphia, PA on September 29. The tour stops at the Regent in  Los Angeles, CA on August 28 and at New York City’s Irving Plaza on September 25. Tickets are on-sale now and all dates are listed below. 

“This new record is a starting point for the band, with absolute love and respect for the last 20 years- it was time to scrap some things, release some baggage and forge a new path. Matt and I have a clear vision for the future and it starts now. We recorded a Sparta record with an ensemble of friends, new and old alike, and couldn’t be happier- there is so much love on this thing and I can’t wait for people to hear it.”  – Jim Ward

TOUR DATES:

8/22 Dallas, TX @ Amplified Live

8/23 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

8/24 Austin, TX @ Mohawk

8/26 Mesa, AZ @ Nile

8/27 Pomona, CA @ Glass House

8/28 Los Angeles, CA @ Regent

8/29 San Francisco, CA @ UC Theatre

8/31 Portland, OR @ Revolution

9/1 Seattle, WA @ Neptune

9/3 Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge

9/4 Denver, CO @ Gothic

9/20 Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot

9/21 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls

9/23 Buffalo, NY @ Town Ballroom

9/24 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall

9/25 NYC @ Irving Plaza

9/27 DC @ Soundstage

9/28 Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents

9/29 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer