Before joining forces, the duo behind Sgt. Splendor were already formidable solo artists, Kate Vargas chalking up acclaim at outlets like NPR, HuffPost, SPIN, No Depression Rolling Stone and Vice (including praise from the “Dean of American Rock Critics” Robert Christgau); and Eric McFadden amassing an impressive resume including stints on guitar with George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars, Anders Osbourne, Fishbone’s Angelo Moore, and Eric Burdon & The Animals, plus a slew of solo albums, and session work and gigs with everyone from Jackson Browne to The Clash’s Joe Strummer. “Tom Waits’ music has always been a point of connection for me & Kate. While our musical approaches differ, they’re also kindred and share a lot of common elements. Our Southwestern upbringing comes through—that sort of mysteriouso desert thing—but also a carnivalesque Waits-ian vibe. The new record is a bit more cohesive but still eclectic. Kind of an Alt-Funk, Desert Roots, Dirty Blues, Rock thing. Our styles have always been complementary.” Vargas concurs: “Sgt. Splendor really feels like a combination of both of us—equally.”