The Sparkleberries
The Sparkleberries play the sort of tightly crafted pop rock and roots rock tunes that used to suit jukeboxes and AM radio. The songs are by Ken Kleinfeld (vocals, rhythm guitar), a tunesmith based in Chapel Hill, who wanted a band to present his rock and roll side, and went with the name The Sparkleberries because many of the songs pay tribute to people who sparkle. It helped that the name hints at Chuck Berry, for his mirthful narrative style and catchy guitar riffing make one smile, and The Sparkleberries is a band that hopes to do a little something like that.
Performing on most of the tracks on "Skylight Exchange" are Chris Stamey (rhythm & lead guitar, keyboards), Jeff Crawford (bass), and Logan Matheny (drums). Chris Stamey is a musician's musician and an important influence on many major alt-pop bands, with an instinct and knack for making things enjoyable to hear. Jeff Crawford and Logan Matheny have a similar touch, so if these tracks don't satisfy, someone named Ken deserves a talking to.
Recent albums by the four musicians above are:
Ken Kleinfeld: "New Treedwelling"; "Shakespeare Songs"
Chris Stamey: "hERE aND nOW" (with Peter Holsapple); "A Question of Temperature" (with Yo La Tengo)
Jeff Crawford: "Something for Everyone"
Logan Matheny: "Oh Tall Tree in the Ear" by Roman Candle (Logan is the drummer)