The National Parks (band)
{{Short description|American folk pop band}}
{{About|the American band|the Scottish band|National Park (band)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The National Parks
| image = The National Parks live.jpg
| caption = The National Parks perform live at Provo's Rooftop Concert Series, July 1, 2016. Photo by Justin Hackworth.
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| origin = Provo, Utah
| genre = Indie{{dot}}folk pop{{dot}}indie folk{{cite web |title=The National Parks band |url=https://npr.band/ |website=npr.band |access-date=11 August 2021 |archive-date=11 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811102052/https://npr.band/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-national-parks-mn0003460358|title=The National Parks {{!}} Album Discography {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-07-25|archive-date=2017-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920045233/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-national-parks-mn0003460358|url-status=live}}
| years_active = 2013–present
| label =
| website = {{URL|https://thenationalparksband.com/}}
| current_members = Brady Parks
Sydney Macfarlane
Cam Brannelly
Megan Taylor Parks
}}
The National Parks is an American indie folk band{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-national-parks-mn0003460358|title=The National Parks {{!}} Album Discography {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=2017-07-25|archive-date=2017-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920045233/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-national-parks-mn0003460358|url-status=live}} from Provo, Utah{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/event/music/377197720/the-national-parks-helsinki|title=First Watch: The National Parks, 'Helsinki'|website=NPR|date=14 January 2015|access-date=2016-07-26|last1=Boilen|first1=Bob|archive-date=2016-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730163810/http://www.npr.org/event/music/377197720/the-national-parks-helsinki|url-status=live}} formed in 2013. The four-member band consists of Brady Parks (guitar and lead vocals), Sydney Macfarlane (keyboards and vocals), Cam Brannelly (drums), and Megan Taylor Parks (fiddle and vocals).{{Cite web|url=https://tetonguitars.com/artists/?entry=722|title=Artists - Teton® Guitars|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-26|archive-date=2016-08-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817090816/https://tetonguitars.com/artists/?entry=722|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://thenationalparksmusic.com/bio/|title=Bio {{!}} The National Parks Music|website=thenationalparksmusic.com|access-date=2016-12-08|archive-date=2016-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220075511/http://thenationalparksmusic.com/bio/|url-status=live}}
Formed in 2013,{{Cite web|url=http://www.soundmagonline.com/who-are-the-national-parks/|title=Who Are The National Parks? - SOUND Online Magazine|date=2013-03-12|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821161505/http://www.soundmagonline.com/who-are-the-national-parks/|url-status=live}} their debut album, Young, reached #13 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart upon its release. Since that time, the band has released two additional studio albums and has sold out shows in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/music/local-band-the-national-parks-have-just-as-many-fans/article_c93a930b-c48a-5cab-8881-87e1b8a99c82.html|title=Local band The National Parks have just as many fans outside Utah as within|last=PROVO|first=Davis Blount ANALOG|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805025917/http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/music/local-band-the-national-parks-have-just-as-many-fans/article_c93a930b-c48a-5cab-8881-87e1b8a99c82.html|url-status=live}}
History
= 2012–2014: Formation and ''Young'' =
The National Parks began as the brainchild of frontman Brady Parks. While studying advertising design at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, Parks began writing a collection of acoustic-heavy narrative folk tunes. After forming a group called "Brady Parks and the IndiAnns" for a battle of the bands competition at Velour Live Music Gallery, the group recorded an album called The Mossy Mountain, which was released to iTunes and Spotify on February 24, 2012.
The success of this first release prompted them to launch a successful Kickstarter campaign for the album that would eventually become Young.
After several lineup changes, the group was renamed The National Parks and made its first public performance on March 15, 2013. To advertise the performance, hundreds of flyers were circulated around Provo that offered little information other than the line, "Who are The National Parks?" A link to their website led to a video containing commentary from popular local bands and music venue owners.{{Cite web|url=http://reachprovo.com/music-news/news-the-national-parks-ready-to-rock-provo/|title=News: The National Parks Ready to Rock Provo – Reach Provo|website=reachprovo.com|language=en|access-date=2017-09-19|archive-date=2017-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920092524/http://reachprovo.com/music-news/news-the-national-parks-ready-to-rock-provo/|url-status=live}}
The group released Young in 2013. The album was recorded at June Audio{{Cite web|url=http://juneaudio.com/|title=Home|website=June Audio Recording Studios|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-26|archive-date=2017-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613011642/http://juneaudio.com/|url-status=live}} with producer Scott Wiley and climbed to #13 on the iTunes singer/songwriter chart.{{Cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865587429/BYU-student-band-reaches-top-20-on-iTunes-charts.html?pg=all|title=BYU student band reaches top 20 on iTunes charts|last=Stevens|first=Abby|website=Deseret News|date=2013-10-01|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-08-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814123650/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865587429/BYU-student-band-reaches-top-20-on-iTunes-charts.html?pg=all|url-status=dead}} In January 2014 the band released the standalone single "As We Ran," which was written for the documentary film Love in the Tetons.{{Cite web|url=http://npexperience.com/love-in-the-tetons/|title=Love in the Tetons|website=National Park Experience|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-07-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701201016/http://npexperience.com/love-in-the-tetons|url-status=live}} The group donated the first month of proceeds from the single to the National Parks Conservation Association.{{Cite web|url=http://fox13now.com/2014/02/12/provo-band-promotes-national-parks-through-music/|title=Provo band promotes national parks through music|date=2014-02-13|website=fox13now.com|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919195245/http://fox13now.com/2014/02/12/provo-band-promotes-national-parks-through-music/|url-status=live}} The National Parks began touring around the release of Young. The online success of the album and "As We Ran" helped them find growing crowds around Utah as well as in Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City.{{Cite web|url=http://popwrapped.com/introducing-the-national-parks/|title=The National Parks: Their Sound Stands Tall|date=2015-09-17|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822171022/http://popwrapped.com/introducing-the-national-parks/|url-status=live}}
= 2015–2016: ''Until I Live'' =
International attention came to the band with the premiere of "Helsinki"{{Cite web|url=https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000000863002.html|title=Antti Luusuaniemi tähdittää amerikkalaisyhtyeen musiikkivideota!|date=2015-01-15|language=fi-FI|access-date=2016-08-08}} on All Songs Considered in January 2015.{{Cite web |last1=Boilen |first1=Bob |date=14 January 2015 |title=First Watch: The National Parks, 'Helsinki' |url=https://www.npr.org/event/music/377197720/the-national-parks-helsinki |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730163810/http://www.npr.org/event/music/377197720/the-national-parks-helsinki |archive-date=2016-07-30 |access-date=2016-08-08 |website=NPR}}
The band again worked with Scott Wiley on their second album, Until I Live, which was independently released September 2015{{Cite web|url=http://www.cmtedge.com/2015/03/05/the-national-parks-take-a-leap-of-faith-in-stones-throw/|title=The National Parks Take a Leap of Faith in "Stone's Throw" {{!}} cmtedge.com|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710100334/http://www.cmtedge.com/2015/03/05/the-national-parks-take-a-leap-of-faith-in-stones-throw/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/194044-the-national-parks-monsters-of-the-north-video-premiere/|title=The National Parks - 'Monsters of the North' (video) (Premiere)|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828200646/http://www.popmatters.com/post/194044-the-national-parks-monsters-of-the-north-video-premiere/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.cmtedge.com/2015/03/05/the-national-parks-take-a-leap-of-faith-in-stones-throw/|title=The National Parks Take a Leap of Faith in "Stone's Throw" {{!}} cmtedge.com|access-date=2016-07-26|archive-date=2016-07-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710100334/http://www.cmtedge.com/2015/03/05/the-national-parks-take-a-leap-of-faith-in-stones-throw/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/194044-the-national-parks-monsters-of-the-north-video-premiere/|title=The National Parks - 'Monsters of the North' (video) (Premiere)|access-date=2016-07-26|archive-date=2016-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828200646/http://www.popmatters.com/post/194044-the-national-parks-monsters-of-the-north-video-premiere/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.slugmag.com/local-music-reviews/the-national-parks-until-i-live/|title=Local Review: The National Parks – Until I Live|date=October 2015|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809092659/http://www.slugmag.com/local-music-reviews/the-national-parks-until-i-live/|url-status=live}} and climbed to #52 on the iTunes Pop Chart and #5 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers Chart for the Mountain Region. "Monsters of the North," the lead single from Until I Live, was announced as winner of the 2015 International Songwriting Competition.{{Cite web |title=International Songwriting Competition {{!}} The #1 Song Contest for Songwriters |url=https://songwritingcompetition.com/previouswinners |access-date=2024-11-21 |website=songwritingcompetition.com}} In March 2016, the band was named Utah's "Band of the Year" by Salt Lake City Weekly.
As part of the centennial of the National Park Service, The National Parks performed at an event with celebrated writer Terry Tempest Williams for the National Parks Conservation Association in June 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npca.org/events/125-celebrate-the-national-parks|title=Celebrate the National Parks|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919195037/https://www.npca.org/events/125-celebrate-the-national-parks|url-status=live}} Since their sophomore release, the band has been favorably compared to a wide variety of acts including Foster the People,{{Cite web|url=http://theknow.denverpost.com/2015/07/25/national-parks-close-down-a-brimming-skylark-lounge/106322/|title=National Parks close down a brimming Skylark Lounge|date=2015-07-25|website=The Know|access-date=2017-05-24|archive-date=2017-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807194543/http://theknow.denverpost.com/2015/07/25/national-parks-close-down-a-brimming-skylark-lounge/106322/|url-status=live}} The Civil Wars,{{Cite web|url=https://popwrapped.com/introducing-the-national-parks|title=The National Parks: Their Sound Stands Tall|website=PopWrapped|language=en|access-date=2017-05-24|archive-date=2017-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807193636/https://popwrapped.com/introducing-the-national-parks|url-status=live}} and Mumford & Sons,{{Cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/concertreview.asp?xid=1108|title=Concert Review - The National Parks grow with age|website=www.countrystandardtime.com|access-date=2016-08-08|archive-date=2016-08-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809000613/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/concertreview.asp?xid=1108|url-status=live}} In addition to their own headlining shows, The National Parks has played with Andy Grammer, Peter Bjorn and John, The Lone Bellow, LeAnn Rimes, and The Moth & The Flame. The band has performed at South by Southwest, Canadian Music Week, School Night at Bardot's, Musikfest, Snowmass Mammoth Fest, and Make Music Pasadena.
= 2017–2020: ''Places'' =
In August 2017, The National Parks performed on JBTV in Chicago,{{Cite web|url=http://jbtvmusic.com/national-parks-perform-melodic-tunes-jbtv/|title=The National Parks Perform at JBTV - JBTV|website=jbtvmusic.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-07|archive-date=2017-08-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807193808/http://jbtvmusic.com/national-parks-perform-melodic-tunes-jbtv/|url-status=live}} announcing that their third album, Places, would be released September 15, 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://atwoodmagazine.com/currents-national-parks-premiere/|title=Premiere: Passion & Perseverance in The National Parks' "Currents" - Atwood Magazine|date=2017-09-08|access-date=2017-09-11|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910154925/http://atwoodmagazine.com/currents-national-parks-premiere/|url-status=live}} The music video for the lead single, also title "Places," debuted through Impose on June 16, 2017.{{Cite news|url=http://www.imposemagazine.com/tv/the-national-parks-places|title=The National Parks, "Places" - Video - Impose Magazine|date=2017-06-16|work=Impose Magazine|access-date=2017-09-19|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-09-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920044709/http://www.imposemagazine.com/tv/the-national-parks-places|url-status=live}} Places features a mix of folk-pop, featuring acoustic guitar and violin, in addition to electronic influences.
On September 8, 2017, the band launched the Places Tour. The tour concluded October 27, 2017, and took the band through 19 different cities across the United States.
On March 22, 2019, band released a new single, "I Can Feel It".
= 2020–2023: ''Wildflower'' =
On June 19, 2020, The National Parks released a new album, "Wildflower".{{Cite web|url=https://provomusicmagazine.com/2022/05/17/album-review-wildflower-by-the-national-parks/|title=Album Review: Wildflower by The National Parks {{!}} ProvoMusicMagazine.com|access-date=2022-09-29|archive-date=2022-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517193958/https://provomusicmagazine.com/2022/05/17/album-review-wildflower-by-the-national-parks/}} To accommodate social distancing and work around venue closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they announced a more intimate tour, called "Campfire Tour", with 12 stops to promote their new album.
= 2023–present: ''8th Wonder'' =
On March 3, 2023, The National Parks released the album, 8th Wonder.{{Cite web |title=The National Parks Announce Fifth LP "8th Wonder" with the Awe-Struck Title Track |url=https://floodmagazine.com/122035/the-national-parks-8th-wonder-first-listen/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=FLOOD |language=en}} On April 15, 2023, the band played a free concert to support the outdoor Arts Festival presented by Southern Utah University and the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts in Cedar City, Utah.{{Cite web |title=Cedar City Community Ramps Up for Second Annual Arts Festival |url=https://www.suu.edu/news/2023/03/arts-festival.html |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=SUU |language=en}}
References
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Category:Rock music groups from Utah
Category:2013 establishments in Utah
Category:Musical groups established in 2013
Category:Alternative rock groups from Utah