Music Monday – Penny and Sparrow

I cried the first time I heard this song. Though I am a self-proclaimed “crier,” a song has got to be beeaauutifuuul for it to make me cry (or be accompanied by a dramatic movie trailer, wedding video, or commercial featuring Sarah McLachlan and needy puppies). Austin based Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke are the men behind Penny and Sparrow, and I’ve been listening to their three song EP since it was released in August. With each listen, it somehow seems to get better. This is talent, folks. Raw, wonderful, fierce talent.

01 Creature

Stream: “Creature”

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Raised in:
Kyle: Dallas, Texas.
Andy: North Richland Hills, Texas

When and why did Penny and Sparrow form?
Kyle: About two years ago I got some cheap recording equipment as a Christmas gift. Andy and I had always shared a love for music, so began messing around with recording stuff together in his apartment. We ended up loving it and decided to put a few songs on iTunes (Creature EP) and have just kept the ball rolling since then.

How would each of describe your sound?
Kyle: Messy, but strong and pretty.
Andy: We hover between a bunch of genres…folk, rock, country, singer/songwriter. Kyle and I write music that we would want to listen to…then we cross our fingers and hope other people like it, too.

Is a full length album in the works?
Andy: Why yes, yes it is! We aren’t sure on when we will finish, but God willing in the next few months.

Full time jobs:
Kyle: Recently graduated, so looking around for a full time job right now. It’s a tough market out there.
Andy: Young Life staff member in NW Austin…and I just so happen to love my job.

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They recently released this video for “Creature,” part of the Confessionals project by Steven Bush and Kyle Lent, featuring local Austin musicians. It proves, much like their music, how beautiful simplicity is.

Grab their EP Creature, here. It’s the best $2.97 you’ll spend today. If you want more, which I often do, visit their YouTube page for some killer covers. My favorite is “Hallelujah.”