Aaron Sprinkle

Aaron Sprinkle is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer from Seattle, Washington, renowned for his contributions to the alternative rock and contemporary Christian music genres.^[1][2] His career spans over three decades, beginning in the early 1990s as the lead singer and guitarist of the pioneering Seattle-based band Poor Old Lu, which released several influential albums on Tooth & Nail Records, including a 2002 reunion album, with the band reuniting periodically in subsequent years, including in 2025.^[3][2] Sprinkle, the brother of drummer Jesse Sprinkle, later fronted bands such as Rose Blossom Punch and Fair, while establishing a successful solo career with albums including Moontraveler (1999), The Kindest Days (2000), Bareface (2001), Water & Guns (2013), and Real Life (2017), blending alt-pop, electro-pop, and introspective lyrics.^[1][3] As a producer, he has helmed over 100 records, collaborating with prominent artists like MxPx (including their 1994 debut), Anberlin, Eisley, Kutless, Thousand Foot Krutch, Emery, Falling Up, New Found Glory, Story of the Year, and more recently Teddy Swims, earning acclaim for his versatile sound engineering and mixing expertise.^[3][4][5] His work continues to influence the alt-rock landscape, with recent activities including the 2024 single "Moonshot" and Poor Old Lu reunion shows and a new single in 2025 showcasing ongoing artistic evolution.^[1][6][7]

Early life

Family and upbringing

Aaron Sprinkle was born on March 20, 1974, in Seattle, Washington.^[8] He grew up in a musically inclined household in the Pacific Northwest, where his father served as pastor at Calvary Fellowship, a Seattle church that emerged as a key venue for the underground Christian music scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s.^[9] The church's youth room hosted early shows featuring alternative Christian bands, providing Sprinkle with direct exposure to the vibrant local music environment blending rock influences with faith-based themes.^[9] Sprinkle's brother, Jesse Sprinkle, shared this upbringing and pursued a career as a drummer, later collaborating with Aaron on musical projects.^[1] The family's deep ties to the Christian music community, often described as legendary within the industry, further immersed the brothers in an atmosphere that encouraged creative expression through music from a young age.^[10] This foundational environment in Seattle, amid the region's evolving alternative rock landscape, influenced Sprinkle's early creative outlook and paved the way for his involvement in music during high school.^[11]

Musical beginnings

Aaron Sprinkle's entry into music occurred during his high school years in Seattle, where he formed the band BellBangVilla in the spring of 1990 as a sophomore alongside classmates Nick Barber and Scott Hunter. The group quickly assembled a nine-song demo tape, marking their initial foray into recording and reflecting the raw energy of teenage experimentation in the Pacific Northwest's burgeoning music scene.^[12] This early project laid the groundwork for Sprinkle's development as a guitarist and vocalist, evolving shortly thereafter when his brother Jesse Sprinkle joined on drums, leading to the band's rebranding as Poor Old Lu.^[13] Sprinkle drew inspiration from the vibrant Seattle grunge movement and the emerging Christian alternative rock landscape, with contemporaries like Nirvana and Pearl Jam shaping the local sound while bands such as All and Screeching Weasel influenced the punk-infused edge of his early work.^[14] Broader influences from the Christian alternative scene, including acts like U2 for their anthemic style and The Choir for their introspective lyricism, resonated within the Northwest's faith-based music community, encouraging Sprinkle's blend of introspective themes and alternative rock arrangements.^[15] The band began performing at local venues and youth events in the early 1990s, organizing their own shows across the Pacific Northwest to build a grassroots following amid the competitive Seattle music environment.^[16] Navigating these formative years presented challenges for Sprinkle, as he balanced high school commitments with band rehearsals and performances, often relying on the support of his musically inclined family background. Post-graduation, he immersed himself in Seattle's music community through informal jobs and networking, while the band grappled with limited resources for recordings and gigs in a scene dominated by secular grunge acts.^[17] These experiences honed his skills and resilience, setting the stage for professional opportunities in the Christian alternative circuit.^[16]

Band career

Poor Old Lu

Poor Old Lu was formed in the spring of 1990 in the Pacific Northwest by high school sophomores Nick Barber, Aaron Sprinkle, and Scott Hunter under the name BellBangVilla, evolving from their early musical explorations during adolescence.^[18] The group officially renamed itself Poor Old Lu in the summer of 1991, drawing the name from C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, after drummer Jesse Sprinkle joined as Aaron's brother.^[18] This lineup solidified the band's foundation, blending alternative rock influences with introspective lyrics rooted in Christian themes. The band signed with Tooth & Nail Records in 1993, marking a pivotal shift that amplified their reach within the emerging Christian alternative scene.^[19] Throughout its initial run, Aaron Sprinkle served as the band's lead guitarist and backing vocalist, gradually emerging as a primary songwriter and de facto frontman through his collaborative songwriting and on-stage presence.^[20] His contributions shaped the band's dynamic sound, which experimented with grunge, pop-punk, and melodic alternative elements across key releases. The band's debut major-label album, Mindsize (1993), showcased Sprinkle's guitar work and songwriting on tracks exploring personal vulnerability.^[21] This was followed by Sin (1994), a critically acclaimed effort that highlighted the band's raw energy and Sprinkle's evolving lyrical depth on themes of human frailty.^[21] Subsequent albums like Understanding (1996) and the live recording The Wait (1998) further demonstrated Sprinkle's growth as a central creative force, with his compositions driving the band's shift toward more polished, emotive rock arrangements.^[19] Poor Old Lu's active period from 1990 to 2002 included extensive touring across the United States, which helped cultivate a dedicated underground fanbase in the Christian alternative rock community.^[22] Their performances at festivals and venues exposed listeners to a sunnier, more accessible take on Seattle's grunge-influenced sound, positioning them as pioneers who bridged mainstream alternative aesthetics with faith-based messaging.^[23] Sprinkle's songwriting, often co-authored with bandmates, emphasized emotional introspection, contributing to the band's reputation as one of the decade's most celebrated acts in the genre.^[24] The band entered a hiatus in 2002 amid creative differences among members and shifts in label dynamics, following the release of The Waiting Room.^[25] In 2024, a Kickstarter campaign successfully funded the vinyl reissue of their 1995 EP Straight Six.^[26] In 2025, Poor Old Lu reunited for a series of concerts, including performances in Seattle on September 6 and Nashville on September 20, accompanied by the release of two new singles: "A Forest" on September 19 and a cover of Tears for Fears' "The Hurting" on October 31.^[27][28][29] These events and the new material were reflected upon in 2025 podcast interviews, where band members, including Sprinkle, discussed the emotional resonance of reconnecting with fans and the creative spark reignited by the performances.^[30]

Rose Blossom Punch

Rose Blossom Punch was formed in 1995 in Seattle, Washington, as a side project by Aaron Sprinkle, who served as lead vocalist and guitarist, alongside Poor Old Lu members Nick Barber on bass and Terry Coggins on guitar.^[31] This endeavor emerged during the final years of Poor Old Lu's initial run, allowing Sprinkle to explore songwriting beyond the band's established sound.^[32] The project incorporated post-grunge and alternative rock elements with dreamy, shoegaze textures, marking a stylistic shift toward more atmospheric and introspective compositions.^[33] The band's debut and only full-length album, Ephemere, was released on July 10, 1997, via SaraBellum Records.^[34] Clocking in at 11 tracks, the record showcased Sprinkle's experimental approach, blending hazy guitar layers and melodic hooks in songs like "Cyclone Fence" and "Haunted Church," which evoked a sense of ethereal detachment.^[35] Critics praised its immersive quality, distinguishing it from the rawer edge of Sprinkle's work with Poor Old Lu.^[36] Despite its cult appeal within alternative Christian music circles, the album received limited promotion and distribution.^[34] Active for a brief period, Rose Blossom Punch conducted only a handful of live performances before disbanding in 1999.^[31] The short tenure stemmed from competing commitments among members, particularly as Sprinkle transitioned to solo endeavors and production roles.^[37] An unreleased EP, Sorry to Disappoint You, recorded around this time, further highlighted the band's potential but remained shelved until later efforts.^[38] In February 2025, Aaron Sprinkle initiated a crowdfunding campaign through Pacifi Records to reissue Ephemere on vinyl for the first time, featuring a fresh remix and remaster to enhance its sonic depth.^[39] The effort, targeting $13,000, succeeded and led to a limited pressing of 300 copies, officially released on July 11, 2025, with shipments commencing in the following months and completing by October 2025.^[39] This revival introduced the album to new audiences via streaming platforms and celebrated its enduring influence on Sprinkle's experimental phase.^[40]

Fair

Fair was formed in 2005 by Aaron Sprinkle, drawing from members of his touring band to create a new outlet for his songwriting following his time with Poor Old Lu. The lineup included Sprinkle on guitar and lead vocals, Nick Barber on bass and vocals (a fellow Poor Old Lu alumnus), Erick Newbill on guitar and vocals, and Joey Sanchez on drums and percussion.^[41][16] The band's debut album, The Best Worst-Case Scenario, was released in June 2006 through Tooth & Nail Records, featuring a collection of alternative rock tracks characterized by melodic hooks and introspective lyrics. A limited-edition single, Carelessness, preceded the full-length release that same year. Fair's sound blended indie rock influences with accessible pop sensibilities, emphasizing dynamic arrangements and Sprinkle's production polish.^[41][42] In 2010, Fair issued their sophomore album, Disappearing World, also on Tooth & Nail, which expanded on their established style with more diverse instrumentation and thematic depth focused on personal resilience. The record received praise for its cohesive energy and Sprinkle's frontman presence, marking a maturation in the band's output. To promote their releases, Fair undertook limited tours in the late 2000s, including summer runs that aligned with the Christian alternative music circuit, though constrained by members' personal commitments.^[41][16] As of 2019, Fair emerged from a period of hiatus, with Sprinkle reactivating the project amid promotions for related endeavors, including a reunion show in Seattle on July 27, 2019. The band has maintained a presence in the indie and Christian rock scenes, leveraging Sprinkle's broader career for occasional revivals.^[43]

Blank Books

Blank Books is a collaborative musical project formed in 2017 by brothers Aaron Sprinkle and Jesse Sprinkle, marking their first joint effort since their time in the band Poor Old Lu.^[44][45] The duo drew on their established musicianship, with Aaron handling vocals, guitar, bass, and percussion, while Jesse contributed drums and background vocals, creating a platform to explore evolved songwriting and performance dynamics.^[44] The project's debut release, the EP EP1, came out on November 22, 2017, and consists of six tracks: "Breathing Underwater," "Find My Way Again," "Thornhill," "Hungry Ghost," "Bad Time," and "Lean In."^[44][45] Described as an indie rock effort, the EP features pounding drums, power chords, and Aaron's understated vocals, presenting a more accessible sound compared to the grunge and funk influences of their earlier band work.^[45][46] This release highlighted the brothers' growth in composition and production, aligning with Aaron's broader expertise in crafting layered, engaging recordings.^[47] Blank Books has maintained a selective output, with limited releases beyond EP1. Performances have been sparse, focusing on intimate showcases that emphasize the duo's live chemistry rather than widespread touring.^[48] This approach reflects Aaron Sprinkle's production background, incorporating precise instrumentation to blend rock elements with subtle experimental touches in a controlled, project-based format.^[49] As of 2025, Blank Books remains an active endeavor, integrating seamlessly with Aaron's solo pursuits and production commitments, allowing for periodic explorations of collaborative creativity without overshadowing his individual output.^[50][51]

Solo career

Early solo releases

After the initial breakup of his band Poor Old Lu in 1996, Aaron Sprinkle transitioned to a solo career, embracing greater artistic control over his songwriting and recording processes. His debut solo album, Moontraveler, was released on July 13, 1999, by Organic Records. Self-produced in a home studio setup, Sprinkle performed nearly all instruments himself, including guitar, vocals, and keyboards, creating a lo-fi sound characterized by melodic alternative rock with acoustic and fuzzy electric guitar elements. The album received positive reception within Christian alternative music communities for its strong songwriting and guitar craftsmanship, establishing Sprinkle as a versatile performer independent of band dynamics. This was followed by The Kindest Days on July 25, 2000, also via Organic Records. Self-produced with a similar multi-instrumental approach, the album explored introspective themes through melodic pop-rock arrangements, earning praise for its emotional depth and accessibility in Christian music circles. Sprinkle then released the Really Something EP in 2001 on independent/Silent Planet Records, featuring original tracks alongside covers like The Cure's "A Letter to Elise," showcasing his interpretive range and acoustic styling. His next full-length, Bareface, arrived on November 6, 2001, via Silent Planet Records, further highlighting his evolution toward more introspective and personal lyrical content alongside acoustic-driven arrangements. Again serving as the primary performer on guitar, vocals, and keys, Sprinkle crafted a fuller production compared to his debut, blending pop-rock accessibility with emotional depth in tracks exploring relationships and self-reflection. This release solidified his presence in Christian music circles, where it was appreciated for its unpretentious style and melodic maturity. Early in his solo phase, Sprinkle supported these albums with independent tours, performing live as a multi-instrumentalist to build direct connections with audiences.

Recent solo work

In the 2010s, Aaron Sprinkle continued his solo career with a focus on alternative rock infused with electronic elements. His 2013 album Water & Guns, released through Tooth & Nail Records, marked a return to full-length songwriting after a period of production work, featuring playful yet reflective tracks that blended synth-pop with guitar-driven melodies.^[52] Following this, Real Life (2017, also on Tooth & Nail) delved into confessional themes, exploring personal struggles and dualities such as vulnerability amid synthetic production, as heard in songs like "Washed Up" where Sprinkle confronts feelings of exhaustion and renewal.^[52][53] By the early 2020s, Sprinkle shifted toward independent releases under his own Pacifirecords imprint, emphasizing self-production and vinyl formats. The Certainty EP (2021, Pacifirecords) showcased this evolution, with Sprinkle handling production, engineering, and performance across tracks that examined doubt and assurance in intimate, acoustic-leaning arrangements.^[54][55] This move allowed greater artistic control, applying his production expertise—honed through collaborations—to introspective solo material without major-label constraints. Subsequent singles further highlighted themes of spiritual and emotional introspection. The River (2022), co-written with Shelly Sprinkle, evokes imagery of cleansing and trust as a metaphor for personal renewal, underscoring a mature, faith-infused reflection on life's uncertainties.^[56] Similarly, the single 40 Years (2022, independent) reflects on milestones and growth, continuing the EP's contemplative tone.^[52] In 2024, Sprinkle released the single Moonshot, a concise track with driving rhythms and optimistic lyrics, produced independently and mixed by J.R. McNeely.^[57] As of November 2025, Sprinkle's independent era has culminated in a vinyl reissue series through Pacifirecords, now spanning key works from his early career including the 2025 remastered vinyl of Moontraveler (PAC-008), alongside releases from 2013 onward, tying into his Moontraveling podcast, co-hosted with Matthew Schwartz, where episodes discuss music creation and personal insights behind the releases.^[54][25]

Production and collaborations

Notable production credits

Aaron Sprinkle's production work has significantly influenced the alternative Christian music landscape, with credits spanning dozens of albums for various artists since the mid-1990s. His early contributions in the 1990s focused on Tooth & Nail Records releases, where he served as producer and engineer for emerging acts, helping to define the label's punk and alternative rock aesthetic. A notable example from this period is his production on MxPx's debut album Pokinatcha (1994), which captured the band's raw skate-punk energy and marked one of his initial forays into full album oversight.^[58] Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Sprinkle's productions emphasized polished yet dynamic arrangements, often blending rock, alternative, and metal elements while incorporating mixing duties to enhance emotional depth. He produced Anberlin's Cities (2007), an album that propelled the band to wider acclaim with its anthemic tracks and layered instrumentation.^[59] For Pedro the Lion, Sprinkle handled production on key releases like Control (2002), contributing to the project's introspective indie rock style through co-mixing and engineering.^[16] His long-term collaboration with Demon Hunter stands out, encompassing multiple albums including the self-titled debut (2002), Storm the Gates of Hell (2007), and True Defiance (2012), where he shaped the band's heavy metalcore sound with aggressive riffs and atmospheric production.^[60][61] Sprinkle continued to expand his portfolio into mainstream alternative rock in the 2010s, producing Nine Lashes' World We View (2012), which featured radio-friendly hard rock anthems and debuted strongly on Christian charts.^[62] More recently, he engineered and produced New Found Glory's Makes Me Sick (2017), infusing the pop-punk veterans' sound with synth elements and crisp mixing for a refreshed pop-oriented edge.^[63] In 2025, Sprinkle produced Acceptance's anniversary album Phantoms/Twenty, including the track "So Contagious" featuring Teddy Swims.^[64] His body of work exceeds 100 albums, frequently involving comprehensive roles in mixing and arrangement that underscore his impact on the genre.^[3]

Songwriting contributions

Aaron Sprinkle has made notable songwriting contributions through collaborations with established alternative rock bands, particularly in co-writing tracks that explore introspective and emotional narratives. On Anberlin's 2012 album Vital, he received co-writing credits for three songs: "Innocent," "Tiny Deaths," and "Modern Age." These tracks delve into themes of lost innocence, relational estrangement, and apologetic reflection, blending Sprinkle's melodic sensibilities with the band's post-hardcore energy.^[65][66] His songwriting extends to other Christian rock projects, such as co-writing "Get Back" on Nine Lashes' 2012 album World We View, a song addressing resilience and overcoming adversity.^[62] Recurring motifs in Sprinkle's contributions to these artists include faith as a guiding force, redemption through vulnerability, and the personal struggles of doubt and reconciliation, often infused with hopeful resolutions that resonate within indie Christian music circles. In the 2020s, Sprinkle has continued influencing emerging indie Christian artists through selective co-writes, though specific credits remain tied to his broader production roles in fostering lyrical depth on faith and introspection. These efforts highlight his role as a composer shaping narratives beyond his solo and band outputs.

Other activities

Podcast hosting

In 2021, Aaron Sprinkle launched the podcast Moontraveling alongside co-host Matthew Schwartz, a platform dedicated to exploring music industry stories, personal anecdotes from their careers, and in-depth guest interviews.^[67][68] The inaugural episode aired in December 2021, focusing on Sprinkle's experiences at The Compound Recording studio, setting a tone for reflective discussions on production processes and creative journeys.^[68] The podcast has grown to 26 episodes by late 2025, maintaining a consistent release schedule that covers a range of topics including practical production insights, such as recording techniques and studio anecdotes drawn from Sprinkle's extensive background.^[69] Notable episodes include a 2024 "Ask Us Anything" installment that recapped the year's highlights in music and personal life, as well as collaborative debriefs on band activities.^[70] A standout 2025 episode, "Poor Old Two," featured a joint discussion with the Roster Music Club on the Poor Old Lu reunion shows, blending nostalgia with updates on the band's performances and new recordings.^[69][71] Available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, where it holds a perfect 5.0 rating from 17 reviews, Moontraveling serves as a bridge between Sprinkle's past musical endeavors and his current reflections, fostering connections with fans through candid conversations about industry evolution and life beyond the studio.^[69] This non-musical venture highlights Sprinkle's ongoing engagement with his audience, emphasizing storytelling over performance.^[72]

Vinyl reissues and projects

Pacifirecords, an independent boutique label based in Atlanta, Georgia, was founded in 2013. Through Pacifirecords, Sprinkle has overseen a series of 12 vinyl projects spanning 2013 to 2025, encompassing reissues of his solo albums such as Moontraveler (PAC-008, 2024) and Certainty (PAC-005, 2022), as well as band-related works like those from Pacifico and tributes to influences including Starflyer 59.^[73][54] These efforts highlight Sprinkle's dedication to analog formats, often involving remastering from original sources to enhance audio quality for modern listeners.^[74] A key highlight in 2025 was the vinyl release of Ephemere by Rose Blossom Punch, Sprinkle's collaborative project, issued as PAC-010 following a successful crowdfunding campaign that raised over $13,000 to fund a new remix and remastering.^[39][75] This edition, limited to 300 copies and pressed on colored vinyl, marked the culmination of the label's 12-year milestone, with the full series announced publicly in November 2025. Sprinkle also engaged in specialized vinyl formats, including the 2023 lathe-cut 7-inch single 40 Years b/w The River, a limited-edition run of 50 numbered copies produced in collaboration with Watchmaker Record Company to celebrate personal and musical reflections. These one-of-a-kind pressings underscore his experimental approach to archival preservation beyond standard runs.^[76]

Discography

Solo discography

Aaron Sprinkle's solo career began in 1999 with releases on independent Christian labels, evolving into a mix of full-length albums, live recordings, compilations, EPs, and singles, often self-produced after his shift to independent distribution around 2011.^[52][1] His output includes introspective alternative rock and, later, instrumental works for media licensing via Soundstripe. The following table enumerates his solo releases in chronological order, focusing on albums, EPs, and notable singles. By 2025, Sprinkle's solo catalog totals over 15 releases, with a growing emphasis on independent and instrumental projects alongside occasional vocal singles.^[52][1]

Band discography

Aaron Sprinkle has been involved in several bands throughout his career, contributing as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. His band work spans alternative rock and indie genres, often released through Christian music labels like Alarma and Tooth & Nail Records. Below is a compilation of key releases from these projects, focusing on albums and EPs where Sprinkle played a central role.

Poor Old Lu

Poor Old Lu, formed in 1990, featured Sprinkle on guitar and backing vocals alongside his brother Jesse on drums. The band released several albums on Alarma Records during the 1990s, blending grunge-influenced alternative rock with introspective lyrics. Notable releases include: The band reunited sporadically post-1998.^[19]

Rose Blossom Punch

Formed in the late 1990s after Poor Old Lu's initial disbandment, Rose Blossom Punch was a short-lived post-grunge project led by Sprinkle on lead vocals and guitar, alongside bassist Nick Barber from Poor Old Lu. Their sole full-length album was released on the independent SaraBellum label.

• Ephemere (1997, SaraBellum, CD): Sprinkle handled lead vocals, guitar, and production duties, delivering a heavier, introspective sound on tracks like "Haunted Church".^[31]
• Sorry to Disappoint You (1999, Independent, EP; reissued on vinyl 2019 and 2025): Sprinkle as lead vocals, producer, and primary songwriter.^[82]

Fair

In 2005, Sprinkle formed Fair with members of his touring band, taking on lead vocals and guitar. Signed to Tooth & Nail Records, the group produced melodic alternative rock albums emphasizing emotional depth. Fair's releases highlighted Sprinkle's shift toward more polished, radio-friendly production while retaining indie roots.^[41]

Blank Books

Blank Books is a collaborative project between Aaron and Jesse Sprinkle, emphasizing atmospheric indie rock. Formed in the 2010s, it features Aaron on vocals and guitar.

• EP1 (2017, independent, digital/CD): Self-released EP with five tracks, including "Breathing Underwater"; Aaron provided lead vocals, guitar, and production, drawing from the brothers' shared history in Poor Old Lu.^[83]

This EP marked a return to sibling collaboration, with minimalistic arrangements showcasing Sprinkle's evolving songwriting.^[84]