Sparks on their enigmatic image: ‘There are no ghosts in the closet kept from everybody… and also, it's none of their business'
Russell Mael on releasing the band's 28th album MAD!, their spat with Morrissey, their 1979 record that became a blueprint for electronic duos and their delight at having a growing army of younger fans
There is a song on Sparks' new album, MAD!, that sums up their ethos to a tee. The lyrics of Do Things My Own Way include 'Saw the Pope, told him, 'nope' / Gonna do things my own way' and 'My advice? No advice / Gonna do things my own way.'
Sparks, aka brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have been doing things their own way for over half a century. Their 28th album – there have been soundtracks, operas and even a collaborative supergroup project with Franz Ferdinand in there, too – comes hot on the heels of their last studio album The Girl is Crying in Her Latte, suggesting that the creative well is bottomless, 54 years since releasing their debut in 1971.
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Nick Cave on Morrissey's ‘silly anti-woke screed'
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MAD Food Symposium may just be the most exciting and inspiring avant-garde food event in the world – it's certainly up there – often dubbed the Davos of food. It brings together a global community, some of the most innovative minds in hospitality, to discuss and shape the future of food, explore new ideas and gain new perspectives. Held on Refshaleøen, an island just off Copenhagen, we jumped on a boat at 8am, arrived to a cheering welcome from the MAD team. Over the bridge and onto the island, we found two huge circus tents, one with long tables piled high with a breakfast feast – flaky breakfast pastries from Hart Bageri, an onion quiche smothered in grated cheese, crispy capers and thyme leaves, and breakfast bun with slivers of Comté cheese, segments of pomelo and superb, batch brew coffee from Cafeología in Chiapas in Mexico. And so the two-day event began. 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Servings 4 Preparation Time 10 mins Total Time 10 mins Course Main Ingredients 40g homemade mayonnaise ½ tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 300g good-quality cooked peeled prawns 4 large slices of rye bread 1 fat spear of fresh green asparagus freshly ground black pepper a handful of fresh dill sprigs 1 lemon, sliced Method Mix the mayonnaise and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Place the prawns on the bread, then spoon the lemon mayonnaise. Shave the asparagus into ribbons with a vegetable peeler. Put a tangle of the asparagus strips on the mayonnaise. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper, add the dill sprigs and serve with lemon slices. Bar Vitrine's Fermented Chili Salsa with Corn Chips Bar Vitrine at Møntergade 5 was my most exciting new find. 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Cork has just added a new spice blend Crackin Curry Powder to his offerings. They ethically source their sustainable spices direct from partner and family farms all around India. The fresh spices travel at top-speed from these family farms in India (with 100% traceability), making the trip from 'source to sauce' in just a matter of weeks. Check out his monthly column in An Editions (imprint online magazine Ars Notoria) at Read More Darina Allen: Three recipe highlights from the Ballymaloe Festival of Food
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11-06-2025
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Sparks on their enigmatic image: ‘There are no ghosts in the closet kept from everybody… and also, it's none of their business'
Russell Mael on releasing the band's 28th album MAD!, their spat with Morrissey, their 1979 record that became a blueprint for electronic duos and their delight at having a growing army of younger fans There is a song on Sparks' new album, MAD!, that sums up their ethos to a tee. The lyrics of Do Things My Own Way include 'Saw the Pope, told him, 'nope' / Gonna do things my own way' and 'My advice? No advice / Gonna do things my own way.' Sparks, aka brothers Ron and Russell Mael, have been doing things their own way for over half a century. Their 28th album – there have been soundtracks, operas and even a collaborative supergroup project with Franz Ferdinand in there, too – comes hot on the heels of their last studio album The Girl is Crying in Her Latte, suggesting that the creative well is bottomless, 54 years since releasing their debut in 1971.
