Bio

"These poems offer an idiosyncratic vision of Island life, mapping a mixture of memories, dreams, and imaginings. Their thoughtful engagement with language, metaphor, and rhythm creates striking and memorable images and scenes." ~ The Island Literary Awards on Rick Sparkes' award-winning collection of poetry, "More Confessions of an Island Cartographer, Charlottetown, 1965 and other  poems."

Originally from Kennebecasis Valley in New Brunswick, Canada, Rick moved to Prince Edward Island in 2003 where he has worked as a writer, a musician, and a teacher. Since 2017, Sparkes has released four full length albums (three as Rick Sparkes + The Enablers and one under the pseudonym Hazen Halls) and one EP, all of which blend elements of folk rock, poetry, and harmony in ways that are both innovative and familiar. As a writer, his poetry, creative non-fiction, and short fiction have received recognition through the Island Literary Awards and the CBC Poetry Prize shortlist. As a songwriter, Sparkes' albums have received critical acclaim across Canada and have been nominated for a number of awards including the 2022 Group Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards for his album Pleasure in the Pathless Woods

Discography:

Dirty Little Love Songs EP (2017)

The Trouble with the Light LP (2018)

Pleasure in the Pathless Woods LP (2021)

Our Fires Fade to Candles Vol.1 LP (2022 as Hazen Halls) 

Picture Yourself in a Riot LP (2023)