Indie folk band The National Parks is celebrating a decade of music with the release of their fifth album, Wild Spirit. Their latest project marks a return to their folk roots, blending their signature sound with personal reflections on faith and the experiences that have shaped them over the years.
To members Brady and Megan Parks, Sydney Macfarlane and Cam Brannelly, Wild Spirit encapsulates their growth and evolution.
“It’s crazy,” Megan said. “It feels like we blinked, and 10 years have passed. This album feels like it’s been 10 years in the making. Everything we’ve done has led up to this.”
In many ways, Wild Spirit is a return to their roots, as the band worked to recreate the folk sound that they initially fell in love with.
“It’s more folk, more stomp and holler,” Brady explained. “We’ve grown as a band, experimenting with different sounds, and this album brings it all back together in a way that feels like coming home.”
But Wild Spirit isn’t just about music; it’s deeply personal, reflecting the band’s growth and challenges, particularly in their faith.
“This album is about going through struggles and finding yourself through them,” Brady shared. “On a personal level, I was going through some spiritual and faith struggles—a journey, really. It was a time of discovering who I am and what I believe in, and realizing that what’s most important to me are the people I love and the experiences we share.”
Faith has always played a significant role in The National Parks’ music, and this album is no exception.
“Faith is a huge part of all our lives and our music,” Brady said. “Even with this album, which touches on uncertainty about beliefs and spirituality, we want our music to be uplifting and inspiring. A lot of that comes from how we were raised and our faith in something bigger than ourselves. No matter what, faith will always play a big role in our music.”
Macfarlane added that nature has always been a source of spiritual connection for the band.
“For me, being in nature is where I’ve had some of my most spiritual moments,” she said. “Our music reflects that—there’s a lot of nature metaphors. Being outside is where I feel a spiritual connection, and it’s cool to incorporate that into our music.”
As Brannelly explained it, faith has been a driving force for the band since it’s beginning. And they have no plans of slowing down.
“Faith plays a big role in who we are and what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “It’s been 10 years, and we’ve had faith that if we keep going, we’ll keep reaching people. That faith is what drives us.”
Wild Spirit is out now.
