After releasing his platinum break-out hit ‘Black & Gold’ in 2008, performing at festivals across the country, then collaborating with the likes of Basement Jaxx, Mark Ronson, Kimbra and OK Go, Sam Sparro took a bit of a break from the spotlight. Little did we know he was just taking some time to cook up his next record, ‘Return To Paradise’ which he’s releasing on his new label EMI; it sees the soulful dance popper melding 70s grooves with 80s dance, and his trademark 40s fashion style.

“It is the product of a lot of experimenting and songwriting – I changed direction at least 2-3 times, completely,” he says of the record. “I started doing more rock oriented stuff, then I went in a pop direction and then through the process of scrap booking stuff that was inspiring me I ended up with an album that was influenced by music from 1978 to 1984.”

If that’s not enough good news, the prodigal son is heading back to Australia to close out the most colourful event of the year – the Sydney Mardi Gras, with a very special performance, plus two intimate sideshows in Sydney and Melbourne. If history’s anything to go by, we can expect a visual and sensory overload inspired by artists like Jean-Paul Goode, Andy Warhol and James Murphy. Catch Sam Sparro return to the stage this March, proudly presented by Groupie Magazine.

SATURDAY 3 MARCH, 2012- Mardi Gras Party, Entertainment Quarter, Sydney
Tickets from Ticketek.com.au

THURSDAY 8 MARCH, 2012- The Toff In Town, Melbourne
Tickets available from Moshtix Outlets, www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 GET TIX (On sale Friday 10 February)

FRIDAY 9 MARCH, 2012- Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Tickets available from Moshtix Outlets, www.moshtix.com.au or 1300 GET TIX (On sale Friday 10 February)

Check out Sam’s Rock Hudson-inspired video for new single ‘The Shallow End’ below.

‘Return to Paradise’ is out this Autumn via EMI.