The Handsome Family

The Handsome Family

The Handsome Family are an americana and gothic country group formed in Chicago, Illinois, and active since 1993. The core members are Brett Sparks, Rennie Sparks and Mike Werner. The band is currently based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

History and line-up

The band begins as a husband-and-wife project led by Brett Sparks and Rennie Sparks, with Mike Werner on drums. Brett Sparks handles vocals, guitar and keyboards, while Rennie Sparks plays bass, banjo and vocals. Over time, the group centres on Rennie, who writes the lyrics, and Brett, who writes the music. Guest musicians also join for recordings and live work, and performances range from a full six-piece line-up to just Brett and Rennie, sometimes with or without a laptop computer.

Recordings and style

Their music draws on alternative country, americana and gothic country, and Brett’s writing is described through a mix of medieval melody, countrypolitan string arrangements, Tin Pan Alley-style crooning and older hillbilly records. Rennie’s lyrics often use magical realism, shaped by polar adventure stories, pagan hunting songs and everyday scenes such as hotel windows, elevators and highway travel. The band records with instruments including guitar, bass, drums, mellotron, ukulele, banjo, bowed wine glasses and trombone.

Notable releases and recognition

Through the Trees, the band’s third album, is named in a Mojo reader’s poll as one of the ten essential Americana records. Singing Bones receives praise from The Independent for its treatment of mortality, and Last Days of Wonder appears in Mojo’s top ten American albums for 2006 and is described by Uncut as “an unqualified triumph”.

Film appearances

The Handsome Family appear in the films I’m Your Man, a tribute to Leonard Cohen, and Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus.