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sleeplessadelaide

About Me

The Band Sleepless are singing drummer Matt Dempsey, Matthew Jolly on guitars and keyboards, Damian Jolly on bass and Peter McIver on guitars.
Their Triple J Unearthed profile lists artists such as REM, Neil Finn, The Smiths and Elliot Smith as reference points.
Sleepless are establishing themselves as a truly self-sufficient “cottage industry” (more than a hobby/less than a career) finding a sustainable way to write, produce, release and promote their music independently from their Adelaide base.
The whole process is funded by gigging around local Adelaide haunts such as the Grace Emily Hotel, the Wheatsheaf Hotel and Red Poles Gallery.
“we often tell the punters that they are underwriting our record … by turning up to our gigs they ensure that the pubs continue to book us and pay us … by drinking beer they enable us to release our music for free download and play gigs for free admission ... ”
Sleepless have just released “Semaphore” which was written and recorded by the band in lounge-rooms, sheds, boardrooms, warehouses, schools and on trains using a mix of acoustic and electric instruments, lap-top technology and some really nice microphones.
“ … by recording it ourselves we were able to take our time and build the songs without worrying about the cost of studio time … the portability of the technology allowed us to capture our ideas and performances wherever and whenever we were … “
The only external involvement was mastering by Neville Clark (Audreys, Hill Top Hoods) at DiskEdits in Brompton.
“ … mastering is definitely a worthwhile investment, especially given that we had recorded and mixed the album ourselves … Neville was able to bring fresh ears to the project as well a wealth of experience and knowledge … “
Funding the release themselves has meant that the band has had to find creative ways to solve the issue of distribution and packaging. The album is available for free download at www.sleepless.com.au (as .mp3 or .wav). Origami packaging with artwork by Adelaide artist Bruce Lawson can also be downloaded and printed.
“ … we use the website to distribute the album … our job is then to promote the website through gigs, interviews, reviews, myspace, radio and word of mouth …”
“ … the origami idea was a breakthrough for us in distribution … because it uses A4 paper anyone can download and print the artwork and create the whole package themselves … we’ve cut out the middle-person, cut down the cost and it looks great”

For those who are less than confident with the intricacies of paper folding (or who have connectivity issues) the album can be purchased directly from the band. Sleepless recently launched the “record” at the Grace Emily Hotel where it was available in “traditional” cd format or on USB.
“some people prefer to buy the music rather than download it … we produced a limited run of cds and also copied the album and artwork onto usb sticks which are available at our gigs … we want to make it as easy as possible for punters to get our music”
Filled with bittersweet melodic guitar pop semaphore features classic songwriting with contemporary sounds and recording techniques.
“because it was recorded over a long period of time (nearly two years) there were a lot of different influences on the sound of the recording … you listen to a lot of different music in that time period and some of it “leaks in” … there was a “wilco – yankee hotel foxtrot” stage with lots of noises … radiohead – the bends influenced the layers of guitars on a couple of songs … we have always pilfered from the Smiths and REM … listening back we can hear lots of things that crept in – split enz piano … even Hotel California and London Calling (you’d have to listen carefully to find those) … some of it is just us though”
Lyrically it ranges from the desolate desperation of Let Me Out – “I don’t want to be here, I don’t want to be anywhere” through the melancholy resignation of A Stone in Your Shoe and Time Heals - “time heals all wounds but not this one, whatever it is” to the angry bitterness of relationship break down on It’s Over - replete with domestic details (who gets the pets and furniture followed by threats of legal action!)
“It’s Over is a fictional account. I wanted a South Australian adult break up song so there’s references to churches and wine and serial killings… it all ends up in the courts!”
It’s not all bleak – there is the anguished yearning for love of Come Let Me Adore You, the shaky reconciliation of Grace and Dark - “let’s not say a thing unless it’s absolutely necessary” and the pessimistic optimism of Bright Note– “have we found a bright note to end on?”.
Sleepless are in the middle of promoting their latest release but already have a clutch of songs for their next record. Shows have been booked in Adelaide as well as a foray into Victoria early in the year.
The “process” has started again.
“This record has been a great learning experience for us … we have worked out a way to get our music “out” that we are able to support and sustain … using the internet and recording on computer have enabled us to exist as a “productive” band without the necessity of securing a recording deal … we are able to play live at no cost to the punter and release our music for free download … if someone notices us that would be great but if not then we can keep doing this for as long as our supporters keep showing up to gigs and maintain their appetite for beer …”

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/14/2006
Band Website: www.sleepless.com.au
Band Members: Matthew Dempsey sings and drums ... Peter McIver plays guitars and effects ... Damian Jolly plays bass ... Matthew Jolly plays guitars and keyboards and sings ...

click here to read our blog
click here to download our album

Influences: the Beatles and Neil Finn for chords and songs ... REM, The GoBetweens and The Smiths for voices and guitars ... Wilco and Badly Drawn Boy for recording ... Elliot Smith, Grant Lee Buffalo, Ryan Adams, R****head, U2, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds ...

Sounds Like: alternative/indie/folkrock ... guitars ... vocals ... drums ... bass ... keyboards ... jangly ... bittersweet ... melencholic ... you could dance to it if you wanted to but you probably wouldn't ... you might want to sing along ... it sounds like music that would be good to listen to on trains

Type of Label: Major

My Blog

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