Formed by Virginia singer/songwriter Mark Linkous in 1995, Sparklehorse set out to make melodic yet experimental pop music in the vein of maverick performers such as Tom Waits and Neil Young. Following the critical acclaim of their debut album, the group--essentially Linkous, drummer Scott Minor, and various musically inclined friends--began extensive touring, supporting the likes of Mazzy Star, Radiohead, and Tindersticks. While in London during 1996, Linkous nearly died after a bizarre hotel room incident. Upon his recovery, he began work on the second Sparklehorse album, GOOD MORNING SPIDER. Since then, Linkous has continued to hone his songwriting and studio skills, collaborating with artists such as PJ Harvey, Nina Persson of the Cardigans, and even his reclusive hero, Tom Waits.