The Sleeping Years
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The Sleeping Years is an indie folk group that began in London in 2007 as the solo project for ex-Catchers singer Dale Grundle. Members include Dan Wood (Piano, Keyboards) 2008-present, Tom Page (Drums) 2008-present, Alex Beamont (Cello) 2009-present, Michelle So (Cello) 2007-2008.
Biography
Dale started The Sleeping Years by releasing a trilogy of home recorded EPs, ‘You and Me Against The World’, ‘Setting fire to sleepy towns’ and ‘Clocks and clones’ throughout 2007. The EPs were limited to numbers ranging from 500-750 copies and were packaged in handmade sleeves created by the young design company Pika Pika.
Upon their release the EPs garnered critical acclaim, featuring on BBC Radio 1’s Introducing, the Guardian’s writer’s play list and on the cover mount of Rolling Stone and Word Magazine. Songs were also heavily played on Gideon Coe’s 6music show, Stuart Bailie’s BBC Radio show, and on French radio, having been championed by Bernard Lenoir.
Dale then played his first solo shows. He began working together with cellist Michelle So and recorded a video session for the website Le Cargo on a rooftop in the north of Paris. The duo also held a secret concert at the same venue (Septieme Ciel) for French webzine Popnews. They played across France, appearing at shows in Toulouse, Nevers and Paris. After returning to London, they began working on the first album.
‘We're becoming islands one by one’ was recorded in London in December 2007. Dale worked on the album alongside engineer Ian Dowling at the Smokehouse Studios and at the Strongroom. Tom Page from Rothko was invited to play drums on the record and shortly afterwards became a full-time member. Also performing on the record was Ben Eshmade who provided French horn on the song ‘Human Blues’. Michelle played cello and Dale performed all the vocals and guitars, bass, Hammond organ, Rhodes piano and e-bow parts.
The album was released in 2008 on Talitres Records in France and by Rocketgirl in the UK and Ireland to great reviews: "A record that only Bon Iver's ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ has really rivaled in recent months. (Drowned in Sound)
In 2007 Dale collaborated with Mark Beazley from Rothko on a track entitled ‘While December turns’ for the Arctic Circle Xmas album ‘That Fuzzy Feeling’. In 2008 he worked with songwriter Ted Barnes on a song called ‘This old world grown quiet’ for the Arctic Circle's ‘That Fuzzy Feeling’ EP.
The Sleeping Years have toured across France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and the UK, including dates supporting Bowerbirds, Damien Jurado, Scout Niblett, Edwyn Collins and Okkervil River.
Discography
Albums
- We're Becoming Islands One By One 2008 BBC review
- You And Me Against The World 2007
- Setting Fire To Sleepy Towns 2007
- Clocks And Clones 2007
Compilations
- That Fuzzy Feeling 2007 (Loaf Recordings)
- That Fuzzy Feeling EP 2008 (Static Caravan)
References
1. Gourlay, Dom (2008) Drowned in Sound review of 'We're becoming islands one by one'
2. Walters, John L.(2007) The Guardian review of 'That Fuzzy Feeling'
3. Bailie, Stuart (2007) BBC Radio Ulster review of 'Setting fire to Sleepy towns EP'
4. Clayton-Lea, Tony (2008) Irish Times review of 'We're becoming islands one by one'
5. Gorin, Francois (2008) Telerama review of 'We're becoming islands one by one'