The Sleeping Years
Encyclopedia
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, Michelle So (Cello) 2007–2008.
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 Europe, including dates supporting Bowerbirds, Damien Jurado
, Scout Niblett
, Edwyn Collins
, The Notwist
and Okkervil River.
‘You and me against the world’ recently featured in Jamie Oliver
's series ‘Jamie's American Road Trip’.
Catchers
Catchers was an Irish indie pop band formed in 1993 and led by singer-songwriter Dale Grundle. The band consisted of Dale Grundle , Alice Lemon , Peter Kelly , Ger FitzGerald , Craig Carpenter and Jonathan Lord...
singer Dale Grundle. Members include Dan Wood (Piano, Keyboards) 2008–present, Tom Page (Drums) 2008–present, Alex Beamont (Cello) 2009, 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
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
’s Introducing, the Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
’s writer’s play list and on the cover mount of Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
and Word Magazine
Word Magazine
Launched in 1995 by Carey Earle, Tom Livaccari and Dan Pelson, Word Magazine was one of the earliest and most influential e-zines. For over five years, Word created original stories, interviews, games, applications, music, interactive objects and art, and community spaces. Word published new...
. Songs were also heavily played on Gideon Coe
Gideon Coe
Gideon "The Guv'nor" Coe is a radio DJ, presenter, sportscaster, voiceover artist and journalist.Coe was one of the child presenters of the BBC 1 children's programme "Why Don't You?"....
’s 6music show, Stuart Bailie’s BBC Radio show, and on French radio, having been championed by Bernard Lenoir
Bernard Lenoir
Bernard Lenoir is a radio personality, specializing in independent rock. His program, directed by Michelle Soulier, is broadcast in the evenings on France Inter....
.
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
Rothko (band)
Rothko were a London-based instrumental ambient group. The group mainly used bass guitars and keyboards to create their soundscapes. They derived their name from the painter Mark 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 Europe, including dates supporting Bowerbirds, Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado
Damien Jurado is an American indie rock singer/songwriter from Seattle, Washington. Over the years he has released albums on many labels; today, his primary label is Secretly Canadian.-Music career:...
, Scout Niblett
Scout Niblett
Emma Louise Niblett , better known by the stage name Scout Niblett, is an English singer and songwriter. Her music is frequently minimal in style, many of her songs consisting merely of vocals accompanied by either drums or guitar, which she mostly plays herself. She is known for her intimate live...
, Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Collins
Edwyn Stephen Collins is an Ivor Novello Award winning Scottish musician, playing mostly electric guitar-driven pop. Collins formed the musical group Nu-Sonics in 1976, which later became Orange Juice...
, The Notwist
The Notwist
The Notwist are a German indie rock band. Formed in 1989, the band moved through several musical incarnations despite maintaining a relatively stable lineup...
and Okkervil River.
‘You and me against the world’ recently featured in Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver
James "Jamie" Trevor Oliver, MBE , sometimes known as The Naked Chef, is an English chef, restaurateur and media personality, known for his food-focused television shows, cookbooks and more recently his campaign against the use of processed foods in national schools...
's series ‘Jamie's American Road Trip’.
Albums
- We're Becoming Islands One By One 2008 BBC review
EPs
- 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)
- Ten 2009 (Trace Recordings)