Introducing Darby Sparkman

Hey Darby, how the devil are you?

Hey! I am wonderful. Enjoying our first fall morning in the panhandle of Texas! 

So set the scene... where are you right now, and what are you up to today?

I am currently sitting in my downtown office of the small Texas town I grew up in. Other than forcing my way into the country music scene, I am a journalist for a few country music sites and I sub at the local schoolhouses when I need extra cash! 

Tell our campers a bit about you, where did you grow up, do you have any pets?

I grew up in Quanah, Texas, right between Fort Worth and Amarillo on Highway 287. I do have pets! Two cats named Oreo and Dennis.

You released an EP earlier this year, what can you tell me about The Cabin At Ghost Gum Creek?

Oh this little record was a blast. I wrote and recorded the EP in a small cabin right outside of Nashville with my boyfriend Adam Odor. We set up a small studio in the cabin and spent several days writing to our heart’s content, then we recorded the tunes! I came with a notebook chock full of ideas and we picked the best ones and ran with them.

Talk to me about the title track.

This tiny cabin we were staying in sat right next to a little creek called Ghost Gums Creek. We had been listening to a lot of Bobbie Gentry on the car ride up to Tennessee and decided to give our best whack at a murder ballad. The scenery made it the perfect place to write that story. It just unfolded before us. 

What can you tell me about ‘The Ink’?

‘The Ink’ is a song that stabs my gut a little bit. I was previously engaged and, as you can tell by the song, it didn’t end in white with church bells ringing. I really drew from a place of personal experience for this tune. Just as the song goes, “No need to read between the lines / Because the truth already hurts.” I lay it all out in that song.

I love ‘Somewhere Between’, how did that song come about?

The exact same story as above. It was time to leave and, as a songwriter, that’s how I get my feelings out. 

You’re an independent artist and I think that’s a tougher life than people really understand, can you tell me a bit about your experience?

Oh man, it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s kick you in the guts, dirt in your eyes, hard. It’s a lot of “wow, I’ve never had this much money before” and “wow, I won’t be able to eat this week.” I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

You live in Texas, what’s the best thing about it?

I’m not gonna lie to you, small-town Texas is just as stereotypical as one might think. It’s football games, Alssup’s burritos, and front porch sitting. Very Mayberry. I can’t think of anything better. 

What’s different about the flavour of country music that comes from the state?

Texas is the melting pot of music. We’ve got some of the best honky-tonk bands in the world right here in our backyard, but there’s also a lot of pop and rock n roll influence right now. You never know what genre of music you’re gonna get when you go to a country show here in Texas, but it’s always gonna be good!

What do you do when you’re not making music?

I love to bake, drink coffee, and read books.

What can we expect from you for the rest of 2021?

I have another single coming out called ‘Mama’s House’. Maybe around December? Maybe even another acoustic EP.

If you could recommend one artist to hear this week, who would it be?

Summer Dean. That will always be my answer. She’s the honky-tonk I was referring to earlier. 

What’s the question we should have asked you today but haven’t?

In true southern hospitality, you should have asked how my momma was doing. She’s great! 

Finally, how do you take your coffee?

Two sugars and a little creamer! 

To find out more about Darby you can check out her website or see what she’s up to on Twitter or Facebook. Her Spotify is below.