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The Handsome Family

The Handsome Family On Mountain Stage

Brett and Rennie Sparks of The Handsome Family play at Mountain Stage. Brian Blauser /Mountain Stage hide caption

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Brian Blauser /Mountain Stage

Mountain Stage

The Handsome Family On Mountain Stage

Hailing from New Mexico, Brett and Rennie Sparks make up The Handsome Family. This pair delivers rich baritone vocals paired with imaginative lyrics and textured harmonies.

The Handsome Family On Mountain Stage

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For The Handsome Family, Music Is A Safe Place To Express 'Terrifying Things'

The Handsome Family's Rennie and Brett Sparks split songwriting duties. Rennie writes the lyrics, then Brett puts her words to music. Meow Wolf/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Meow Wolf/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

For The Handsome Family, Music Is A Safe Place To Express 'Terrifying Things'

Fresh Air

Married couple Rennie and Brett Sparks have been writing songs together for 21 years. Their latest album, Unseen, is based on their experiences living in the Southwest.

For The Handsome Family, Music Is A Safe Place To Express 'Terrifying Things'

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The Handsome Family On World Cafe

The Handsome Family. Jason Creps/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jason Creps/Courtesy of the artist

World Cafe

The Handsome Family On World Cafe

XPN

Hear three animal-inspired songs from the husband-and-wife duo's ambitious new album, Wilderness.

The Handsome Family On World Cafe

Listen · 51:00
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First Listen: The Handsome Family, 'Wilderness'

The Handsome Family's new album, Wilderness, comes out May 14. Jason Creps/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Jason Creps/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: The Handsome Family, 'Wilderness'

The duo returns with a concept album about wildlife, with an emphasis on nature's capacity for destruction. Animals may burrow in and out of each of these songs, but they're merely helping humanity forge a pathway to madness.

Flies

Audio for this story is unavailable.

All Songs Considered

Johnny Cash, Robert Fripp, The Owls

The enchanting music of Rose Melberg; Jangley found sounds from Cibelle; Solo music from producer T Bone Burnett; Personal recordings from Johnny Cash; Neo folk duo The Handsome Family and more.

Johnny Cash, Robert Fripp, The Owls

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