Will Sparks
Will Sparks playing live at the mainstage of Airbeat One Festival 2018
Will Sparks playing live at the mainstage of Airbeat One Festival 2018
Background information
Birth nameWilliam James Sparks
Born (1993-03-15) 15 March 1993 (age 30)
Melbourne, Australia
OriginMelbourne, Australia
Genres
Occupation(s)Producer, musician
Instrument(s)Ableton Live, guitar, piano
Years active2012–present
Labels

William James "Will" Sparks (born 15 March 1993) is an Australian producer and DJ from Melbourne, Australia,[1] who is best known for his 2013 single "Bring It Back" with Joel Fletcher and his 2014 single "Ah Yeah So What!" featuring Wiley and Elen Levon.

He attended Camberwell High School and Caulfield Grammar in Melbourne, but dropped out at the end of year 11 to pursue a musical career.[2] His debut EP, Another Land, was released in Australia and debuted at number 35 in December 2014.[3]

Sparks has toured America, Europe and Asia and played at festivals such as TomorrowWorld, Tomorrowland, Stereosonic and Future Music Festival.[4][self-published source?]

He was named the No. 1 Australian DJ in 2014.[5]

In January 2014, Will Sparks partnered with electronic music lifestyle brand Electric Family to produce a collaboration bracelet for which 100% of the proceeds are donated to Beyond Blue, a company that is working to reduce the impact of anxiety, depression and suicide in the community by raising awareness and understanding, empowering people to seek help, and supporting recovery, management and resilience.

In May 2014, Sparks embarked on a month long European tour.[6] He has continued to tour Europe every year until 2020.

From August until November 2014, Sparks alongside Timmy Trumpet and Joel Fletcher toured North America as part of their Bounce Bus Tour. [7] Following the tour he returned home for a homecoming tour.[8]

In September 2017, the video Spinnin Records produced for Sparks' song called "Take Me" was discovered to consist almost entirely of footage from award-winning and Oscar-nominated animated short film "Requiem for Romance"[9][10] Spinnin' Records did not seek permission to use visuals from the creators of the film, including animator Jonathan Ng. While Ng's takedown notice of the YouTube clips of the music video succeeded, Spinnin' Records continued to use images from Ng's video on their website and publicity material. Ng is exploring legal options against Spinnin' Records. Sparks claimed he had no knowledge of the alleged copyright, as he only produced the music for the accompanying video.[11]

DJ Mag Awards

Since 2015, Will Sparks has polled in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJ's poll.[12]

Year Poll Result
2015 78 [13]
2016 73 [14]
2017 83 [15]
2018 56 [16]
2019 57 [17]
2020 58 [18]
2021 56 [19]
2022 62 [20]

Sparksmania

In 2018, Will Sparks launched his own festival, Sparksmania.[21] Since the inaugural show, Sparksmania has been held in Adelaide and Brisbane featuring artists Marlo, Joel Fletcher, HP Boyz and Masked Wolf.[22]

On 30 September 2021, Will Sparks announced Sparksmania's first national tour which included shows in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide in January and February 2022.[23] Will Sparks was supported by Melbourne artists Short Round and Eric Sidey as well as Queensland's Yanzo.[24]

On 3 June 2022, Sparksmania was brought to Gothenburg, Sweden for summerburst festival. The first ever international Sparksmania.[citation needed]

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
Another Land
  • Released: 5 December 2014[25]
  • Label: Ultra/Sony (88875054822)
 35

Extended plays

List of EPs, with selected chart positions
Title EP details Peak chart
positions
AUS
Nothing More, Nothing Less
  • Released: 9 July 2021[26]
  • Label: CLUBWRK, Armada (ARMAS2032)

Charted singles

List of charted singles
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Label
AUS
[27] 		FRA
[28] 		NZ
"Ah Yeah!"[29] 2012 — 51 — Hussle Recordings
"Bring It Back"[30]
(with Joel Fletcher) 		2013 33 — — Ones To Watch Records
"Catch"[32] 2014 22 — — Sony Music Entertainment
"Ah Yeah So What!"
(featuring Wiley and Elen Levon) 		4 116 34 Ministry of Sound Australia
"Sick Like That"
(featuring Luciana)[34] 		2015 97 137[35] — Ultra Records
"—" denotes an album that did not chart or was not released.

Remixes

Title Year Original artist(s) Label
"Get Free"[36] 2013 Major Lazer
Self-released
"Hello"[37] Stafford Brothers featuring Lil Wayne and Christina Milian
"Blurred Lines"[38] Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams
"Afterturn"

(with Matt Watkins)[39]

Chadio
Self-released
"Ode To Oi"[40] TJR
"Canto Della Liberta"[41] 3rd Face
Self-released
"The Darkness"[42] Satoshi Tomiie
"Dynamo"[43] Laidback Luke and Hardwell
"Melbournia"[44] Timmy Trumpet and Chardy
Hussle Recordings
"#Selfie"[45] 2014 The Chainsmokers
"Maps"[46] Maroon 5
Self-released
"Uptown Funk"[47] Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
"In Control"[48] 2015 Yvng Jalapeño featuring Muki
"Be Together"[49] Major Lazer
"Lights Out"

(with Joel Fletcher)[50]

2016 360
Self-released
"I'm in Control"[51] AlunaGeorge featuring Popcaan
"Mo Bounce"[52] 2017 Iggy Azalea
"Stand Together"[53] Toneshifterz featuring CAYO
Big & Dirty Recordings
"Leave The Lights On"[54] 2018 Meiko
Clubwrk / Teamwrk Records
"Back In The Game"[55]
"Anything More"[56] 2019 Steve Aoki featuring Era Istrefi
Liberator Music
"Song I Sing"[57] 2020 Armin van Buuren and Haliene
Armada Music
"Little Things"[58] Louis The Child featuring Quinn XCII and Chelsea Cutler
"Devotion 2020"[59] Bingo Players, Felguk, and Fafaq
Musical Freedom

Awards and nominations

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters". They commenced in 1982.[60]

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 "Bring it Back" (Will Sparks & Joel Fletcher) Dance Work of the Year Nominated [61]

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 Will Sparks Best Electronic Act Nominated [62][63]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Will Sparks teases "Another Land"". wearedance.de. 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  2. ^ Sydney Morning Herald (2013). Sparks flies to LA on the rhythm of Melbourne Bounce. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
  3. ^ "WILL SPARKS - ANOTHER LAND (ALBUM)". www.australian-charts.com. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Will Sparks Bio". willsparks.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Will Sparks". stereosonic.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Will Sparks Announces "When The Lights Go Out Europeean Tour" • Digital Tour Bus". Digital Tour Bus. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Will Sparks, Joel Fletcher and Timmy Trumpet join forces for US tour". itm.junkee.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  8. ^ "/". The Music. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  9. ^ "10 Animated Shorts Advance in 2013 Oscar® Race | Oscars.org | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". Oscars.org. 7 November 2013. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  10. ^ Zahed, Ramin (7 January 2014). "Jonathan Ng Discusses His 'Requiem for Romance'".
  11. ^ "Here's What Animator Jonathan Ng Did When His Film Was Lifted By EDM Artist Will Sparks". Cartoon Brew. 2 October 2017.
  12. ^ DJ Mag Staff. "Will Sparks". DJ Mag. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  13. ^ EDM Joy Staff (23 July 2021). "DJ MAG ANNOUNCES TOP 100 DJS 2015 RESULTS". EDM Joy. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  14. ^ ROB MULLINEUX (19 October 2016). "DJ MAG REVEALS TOP 100 DJS OF 2016". OZEDM. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  15. ^ ROB MULLINEUX (23 October 2017). "DJ MAG TOP 100 DJS 2017 RESULTS". OZEDM. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  16. ^ Matthew Meadow (20 October 2018). "Breaking Down The 2018 DJ Mag Top 100". YourEDM. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  17. ^ DJ Mag Staff (18 October 2019). "Poll 2019 Will Sparks". DJ Mag. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  18. ^ DJ Mag Staff (19 October 2020). "Poll-2020-Will-Sparks". DJ Mag. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  19. ^ DJ Mag Staff (6 October 2021). "Poll 2021 Will Sparks". DJ Mag. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  20. ^ DJ Mag Staff. "Poll 2022 Will Sparks". DJ Mag. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Lucky Ent, Bourne Recordings & Crown Melbourne Presents Sparks Mania". Moshtix. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  22. ^ Raquel Estrada (13 June 2021). "Will Sparks Brings His Sparksmania Show To Brisbane". The Creative Issue – News for Creatives. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  23. ^ Oliver Tryon (17 March 2022). "Will Sparks Announces 'Sparksmania' 2022 Tour". CULTR. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  24. ^ JACKSON NAFFA (17 March 2022). "Will Sparks announces Australia Sparksmania tour". We Rave You. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  25. ^ Another Land by Will Sparks, retrieved 31 August 2021
  26. ^ Nikki Jones (9 July 2021). "Will Sparks Releases Long-Awaited EP 'Nothing More, Nothing Less'". CULTR. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  27. ^ "Discography WILL SPARKS (Australia)". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  28. ^ "Discography WILL SPARKS (France)". lescharts.com. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  29. ^ Ah Yeah, retrieved 10 September 2021
  30. ^ Bring It Back by Will Sparks & Joel Fletcher, retrieved 10 September 2021
  31. ^ "ARIA Accreditations Singles 2014". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  32. ^ "iTunes Music – Catch – Single by Will Sparks". iTunes Store. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  33. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2015 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  34. ^ "iTunes Music – Sick Like That – Single by Will Sparks ft. Luciana". iTunes Store. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  35. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Singles Téléchargés - SNEP". Archived from the original on 5 September 2015. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  36. ^ Major Lazer - Get Free [feat. Amber of Dirty Projectors] (Will Sparks Remix) Download in description., retrieved 10 September 2021
  37. ^ Stafford Brothers Ft. Lil Wayne & Christina Milan - Hello (Will Sparks Remix), retrieved 31 August 2021
  38. ^ Blurred Lines (feat. T.I. & Pharrell) [Will Sparks Remix] by Robin Thicke, January 2013, retrieved 31 August 2021
  39. ^ Chadio - Afterturn (Will Sparks & Matt Watkins Remix) Download in description., retrieved 10 September 2021
  40. ^ Ode to Oi (Will Sparks Remix) by TJR, January 2013, retrieved 10 September 2021
  41. ^ 3rd Face - Canto Della Liberta (Will Sparks Remix), retrieved 10 September 2021
  42. ^ Satoshi Tomii - The Darkness (Will Sparks Remix), retrieved 10 September 2021
  43. ^ Dynamo (Will Sparks Remix) by Laidback Luke & Hardwell, 18 June 2013, retrieved 10 September 2021
  44. ^ Melbournia (Will Sparks Edit) by Timmy Trumpet & Chardy, 28 June 2013, retrieved 31 August 2021
  45. ^ #SELFIE (Will Sparks Remix) by The Chainsmokers, 17 June 2014, retrieved 31 August 2021
  46. ^ Maroon 5 - Maps (Will Sparks Remix)*FREE DOWNLOAD*, retrieved 31 August 2021
  47. ^ Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) [Will Sparks Remix] by Mark Ronson, 13 April 2015, retrieved 31 August 2021
  48. ^ In Control (feat. Muki) [Will Sparks Remix] by Yvng Jalapeño, 27 November 2015, retrieved 10 September 2021
  49. ^ Major Lazer - Be Together (feat. Wild Belle) [Will Sparks Remix], retrieved 31 August 2021
  50. ^ 360 - Lights Out (Will Sparks & Joel Fletcher Remix) [FREE DOWNLOAD], retrieved 10 September 2021
  51. ^ AlunaGeorge - I'm In Control Ft. Popcaan (Will Sparks Chill Remix)[FREE DOWNLOAD], retrieved 10 September 2021
  52. ^ M0 Bounce (Will Sparks Remix), retrieved 31 August 2021
  53. ^ Stand Together (Will Sparks Remix) [feat. CAYO] - Single by Toneshifterz & Will Sparks, 14 July 2017, retrieved 10 September 2021
  54. ^ Leave the Lights On (Will Sparks Remix) by Meiko, 8 January 2018, retrieved 31 August 2021
  55. ^ Back In the Game (Will Sparks Remix) by Meiko & Will Sparks, 28 February 2020, retrieved 31 August 2021
  56. ^ "Neon Future III (Remixes) by Steve Aoki on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  57. ^ "Balance (Remixes) by Armin van Buuren on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  58. ^ "Little Things (Remixes) [feat. Quinn XCII & Chelsea Cutler] by Louis The Child on Apple Music". Apple Music. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  59. ^ "Devotion 2020 (Will Sparks Remix) - Single by Bingo Players, Felguk & Fafaq on Apple Music". Apple Music. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  60. ^ "APRA History". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  61. ^ "Dance Work of the Year". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS). 2014. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  62. ^ "Previous Nominess". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  63. ^ "Previous Winners". Music Victoria. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
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