Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize explained

Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize
Type:	EP
Artist:	Spark Is a Diamond
Cover:	Spark Is a Diamond - Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize (2006).png
Released:	November 14, 2006
Studio:	Valencia Studios (Brookville, Maryland)
Genre:	Hardcore punk new wave metalcore screamo mathcore trance emo
Length:	11:36
Label:	Emerald Moon
Producer:	Paul Leavitt
Year:	2006
Next Title:	Try This On for Size
Next Year:	2008

Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize is the debut EP by American hardcore punk band Spark Is a Diamond, released on November 14, 2006, through Emerald Moon Records. It was produced, recorded and engineered by Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, Thin Dark Line) and mixed by Matt Bayles (The Blood Brothers, These Arms Are Snakes).

A music video was made for the track "Check Your Lease, You're In F**k City" directed by Adam Kobylarz.

Background and recording

When the group was formed, they were originally named The Hush Hush until they had to change their name to not be confused with another band with the same name and didn't want to infringe the name. The band ultimately decided to rename themselves Spark is a Diamond on July 16. The group signed into indie record label Emerald Moon Records on June 22 and started production on their debut EP.

It was produced, recorded and engineered by Paul Leavitt (All Time Low, Thin Dark Line) and mixed by Matt Bayles (The Blood Brothers, These Arms Are Snakes), mastered by Michael Fossenkemper and designed by Dan Miller of The JonBenét.^[1]

Some of the songs were brought to the band's debut album Try This On for Size on Pluto Records.^{[2] [3] [4] [5]} The EP features Matt Hall on drums before Joseph Crawford and also features Ben Hirschhorn of Moring for the Masses.

Release and promotion

On November 10, 2006, the band made a CD release party at the Morningstar Church in Quakertown, PA.

On March 30, 2007, the band released a music video for the track "Check Your Lease, You're In F**k City," directed by Adam Kobylarz. A review form Smother says "a surprising underground hit of manic dance-fueled punk rock that no one would have ever seen coming."^[6]

Personnel

Spark Is a Diamond

• Alison Bellavance – lead vocals
• Matt Boylan – vocals and guitars
• Matt Hall – drums

Additional personnel

• Ben Hirschhorn of Morning for the Masses – additional vocals (track 3)

Technical personnel

• Dann Miller of The Jonbenét – artwork and layout
• Paul Leavitt – producer, recording and engineer
• Michael Fossenkemper – mastering
• Matt Bayles – mixing
• Brian Pollock – electronics (tracks: 2, 4)

References

1. Web site: Reinecker . Meg . 2006 . Emerald Moon Records update . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220130154136/https://www.punknews.or/ . January 30, 2022 . Punknews.
2. Web site: Raub . Jesse . January 31, 2008 . Pluto signs Spark Is A Diamond . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210613000801/https://www.punknews.org/article/27548/pluto-signs-spark-is-a-diamond . June 13, 2021 . January 31, 2008 . Punknews.
3. Web site: January 31, 2008 . Pluto Records signs Spark Is A Diamond . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801042247/https://lambgoat.com/news/10156/Pluto-Records-signs-Spark-Is-A-Diamond . August 1, 2021 . January 31, 2008 . Lambgoat.
4. Web site: February 1, 2008 . SPARK IS A DIAMOND Signs With PLUTO RECORDS . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220821145805/https://blabbermouth.net/news/spark-is-a-diamond-signs-with-pluto-records . August 21, 2022 . February 1, 2008 . Blabbermouth.
5. Web site: January 31, 2008 . Pluto welcomes Spark Is A Diamond! . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080402060116/http://www.plutorecords.com/news/?ID=256 . April 2, 2008 . January 31, 2008 . Pluto Records.
6. Web site: 2007 . Spark Is a Diamond - Keep Your Eyes Off the Prize . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070120220318/http://www.smother.net/reviews/techno.php . January 20, 2007 . Smother.

External links

• Myspace
• Alt Myspace