Remember “Sparky’s Flaw,” the band that played around Charlottesville just two years ago? Now known as “Parachute,” this pop rock band formed by two recent U.Va graduates and three friends not only landed a deal with the major record label Mercury in 2007, but is also currently on tour to promote their debut album Losing Sleep. Band members include front-man Will Anderson, vocals, guitar, keyboard, Johnny Stubblefield, drums, Alex Hargrave, bass, Kit French, saxophone, keyboard, vocals, and Nate McFarland, guitar, vocals.
These five guys have been friends since high school and through their college years, creating a fan following with their catchy tunes and concerts.
“I can’t imagine doing it with people who weren’t your friends.” Anderson, who graduated from U.Va with a Music Major in 2008, wrote all the songs on their album, including their hit single “She is Love.”
In an interview with Marie Claire Magazine, Anderson comments, “I wanted to write as straightforward a love song as I could. It really just came to me and took 10-15 minutes to write. We didn’t think it was going to be anything and it really took on a life of its own.”
According to Fly Magazine, Parachute’s sound is “blue-eyed soul, adult pop, Maroon 5-style faux-funk: it’s the Goldilocks of pop-rock, neither too hot nor too cold.” Their sound is not only influenced by each other, but also the music scene around them. On their website, Anderson calls their native music scene of Charlottesville a ‘cool music scene.’
“There are so many different types of bands,” he comments. “There’s just such an incredibly eclectic group of people there.” Also on their website bio, Stubblefield expresses the importance of seeing live music while in high school at local venues in Charlottesville as inspiration to play music.
The band has toured with bands such as O.A.R., Switchfoot, Kelly Clarkson, Matt Nathanson, Duffy, The Script, and Secondhand Serenade. Recently announced on their website, Parachute will be performing at the Fuji Rock Festival held in Japan summer 2010. To check out their music, tour dates, and more information about the band, visit www.myspace.com/parachute or www.weareparachute.com.