At the Drive-In’s split in March of 2001 left members of the group split into factions. Jim Ward, At the Drive-In co-founder and guitarist, and the band’s rhythm section would go on to start alternative rock outfit Sparta.   

Ward and Sparta would go on to release three albums in a four-year period lasting from 2002 to 2006. The accompanying self-described burnout from this creative era led Ward to step away from Sparta and into alternative country project Sleepercar. During Sparta’s subsequent hiatus, Ward would release an album with Sleepercar, speak at a Ted Talk and open a restaurant, Eloise, in El Paso’s Upper Mesa Hills area.  

After a nearly fourteen-year absence, Ward and Sparta would return to making music and complete a comeback record that would be released one month into the COVID-19 pandemic. Ward would take the pandemic toretreat into “quiet” and narrow down on sounds while doubling down on music in the following years. Since, Ward has released a string of new material while “delving further” into music as a whole.  

Ward sat down with Minero Magazine ahead of plans to release a new Sparta album by the end of May 2026 and tour across North and South America in the summer. Among topics discussed were the musician’s upcoming performance at Sol Summit Music and Cultura Festival, nachos and all the things guiding the post-punk veteran through his new creative era. Here’s our conversation with El Paso’s Jim Ward.

We want to start off by asking, what is something boring about you?

Ward: I probably don’t listen to enough new music, for what I do and I think that is a little bit boring. I wish I was sort of more in the scene and going to shows every day and sort of in that community. I think that you sort of age out of it a little bit, and you have to put in a little bit more effort.

The first half of this decade saw you working with Sparta consistently for the first time since the band’s hiatus in 2008, but you also focused heavily on your solo efforts; you’ve recorded two solo efforts and have also done some solo touring. After some focus on your solo career, what made you want to bring Sparta back together? 

Ward: I think, it’s actually I’m sort of further into all of it. I think that when Sparta took a hiatus in 2008 that I needed to just get off on my own, I had been sort of in the same crew for a really long time, I think more than 10 years. Finding my way back took some time. So, there were like some other spurts of stuff, but nothing consistent. I started businesses here; I did other things.

I have this real issue playing music when I’m not in love with it so I’ve  never considered it a job, even though I make a living doing it. When it becomes a job, I sort of find a way to get out of it. Sometimes it takes a long time to figure out where you’re going. And, the pandemic was helpful to me to sort of spend time alone, and get quiet, and figure out what I want to make, and I think it definitely took a couple of records to find the right line up and find the right songs and get some stuff out my system, and I think that this album that is coming soon, we’ll announce it in a month I think this is what I’ve been working towards for 10 years.

What can listeners expect from the new Sparta record?

Ward: I think that it is a really good balance of where I’ve been looking and where I come from. It can be easy to sort of fall into that nostalgia thing, like I’ve been doing this so long. I can rest on old records, I can go and play those albums on anniversaries, blah, blah, blah. I find that so fucking boring, so I want to make new music, and I want to make new records, and I want to go play shows, and I don’t really care much more than that.

In an interview with Robert Holguin, you mentioned that music has been a way for you to stay energized. A month after Sol Summit Sparta will be starting a tour of North and South America. How is music helping you keep energized at this busy point in your career?

Ward: So, I am back to just doing this full time, this is my only real job, and I don’t take any of it for granted. I know I’m 49 years old. I know that I don’t know how many chances I get to do this at this level.

Knowing that there’s an end to all this. Like I mean physically there’s an end, I can’t scream at some point, you know what I mean, I will have to evolve into something else. But in the meantime, like, I’m pretty on top of my game. Like I feel good, I feel healthy, I feel creative, and that gives me the energy and again it’s making new stuff you know, like setting those fires, that’s what gives me the energy.

Five years ago, in on a reddit music official, sub reddit you let fans ask you questions. When answering questions, you mentioned that you’d always wanted to tour South America. Now that you are going to tour South America, what are you most excited to see or do while on tour?

Ward: When I was 17 years old and I was graduating from El Paso High,my guidance counselor said, “where do you want to go to college.”  I said, “I do not want to go to college, I want to go tour the fucking world, be in a band.”

All I’ve ever wanted to do was find the adventure and write a good song. All I want to do is see something new, I’ve never been to Latin America. I’ve been to Mexico, all the way south Mexico, I’ve never been past that. I cannot wait! I’m so excited to…go see stuff I’ve never seen, add countries to the list, meet people, taste different food. All of that is what, like music to me has been the vehicle to see all of this stuff. That to me is a success.

I want to start off by asking, earlier this year you named IDLES and turnstile as bands and musical acts that you’ve been fond of recently. What artists from the Sol Summit set list are you fond of?

Ward: Angelica Garcia, I’m a fan of her music, she’s actually a guest vocalist on a Sparta song. Ximena (Sariñana) I’m a fan of.

Flaming Lips, obviously. From very long ago I’ve said, “that band makes me want to make better records.” Ultimate inspiration is when it makes you want to make something better. They are as legendary as legendary gets, I don’t think they’ve been to El Paso since the 80’s. It’s crazy.

It’s always fun to see the first round of stuff, there’s always a bit of energy to that.

Sol Summit is focused on providing sounds from Puerto Rico, Mexico City, Columbia, New York, New Orleans, and El Paso, what sound and perspective is Sparta bringing to this festival?

Ward: We’re sort of cornering the post punk, rock element at this festival.  I’m a firm believer in this city, I speak about this city everywhere I go, I carry this city’s flag with me, essentially, to all the parts of the world that I see. And in the ability to sort of bring all of those experiences and energy back into our community, it’s something that I cherish. All…I guess I hope is that weinspire somebody to do something. That would be to me the biggest compliment. If there’s some kid there that’s 10 years old that say you know I saw you at Sol Summit and then I wanted to be in a band, done! Job done.

At the end of his first of two nights playing in El Paso, Coldplay front man Chris Martin gave you a special shout out, crediting you as the person that helped the band fall in love with El Paso from afar. What part, if any did you play in helping bring any musical acts to El Paso for Sol Summit.

Ward: No I had nothing to with it, no. I don’t know any of the Post Malone or the Bad… not Bad.. what are they called? (laughs) BTS (laughs).

Yeah, Cheis and I and, I mean, all of the guys in Coldplay got to be friends in the winter of 2000, 2001…when we were both on tour and we were in small bands and we were trying to figure out how to this. And it’s a really hard job.

When you find people that you can be safe with and trust and have real honest friendships (with), and you continue to grow, and be surrounded with people that are maybe not as authentic, and maybe not have your best interest at heart all the time, which is part of the job. I think those are the friendships that you really cherish.

So, for me, I wanted those guys to come and play my hometown the minute I met them, because I want everybody to play El Paso. I want my friends to come here and see the people because the people are amazing. It took 25 years, right, but then, they came at their biggest point. So, I’ll take it, and they loved it, they loved the city they loved the people. Everything that I could’ve hoped for, it was perfect.

Is there a group that you would like to come to El Paso?

Ward: Pearl Jam, is on my list, and I’ve bugged them as well so we’ll see.

 Sparta toured with them and I keep up with Jeff (Ament), the bass player. So, I have told him, “I’m speaking publicly about telling you to come here.” It’s not a secret.

 I’ll get them, don’t worry.

Sol Summit is highlighting a lot of different artists from El Paso, Sparta included. What are some of your favorite El Paso artists?

Ward: Obviously like Cigarettes After Sex and Khalid and everybody who’s doing it on a big level. So my niece and nephew play in a band and they came through and so I got to see like two local bands that I’d never heard of before.

Estereomance is somebody who’s really pushing themselves to just kind of go out and do stuff and think those are the bands that I’m going to support.

You were involved in the food industry in El Paso as a small business for thirteen years. As someone with an inside scoop, what restaurant would recommend to people coming to El Paso from out of town to Sol Summit? For those looking for vegan options, what would you recommend?

Ward: So, I’m just going to say go get the Nachos at the Tap at La Mexicana. It’s perfect, it’s just perfect bar nachos our way, you don’t have to have cheese on them, but if you do it’s a little better.

And then just straight up gluttonous meal, just Kiki’s Chile Rellenos. Done. Sorry for the belly ache.

Joaquin Madrid is a writer and may be reached at [email protected].