LA/ATL-based Goodnight Insomniacs (GNI) is the creative spirit of independent singer-songwriter Mark Tillman. Heavily influenced by equal parts folk, Americana and post-punk, among others, Goodnight Insomniacs subtly shifts genre, extracting paradoxical timelessness from the rock n' roll continuum.
Performing and recording under the moniker Goodnight Insomniacs, Tillman's arrangements are steeped in the gothic nuance of old time folkies and bluesman, yet taut with a bow of modern pop sensibilities. GNI's eclectic repertoire resonates behind Tillman's dynamic and soulful vocals, delivering cryptically poetic lyrics of introspection and inspiration.
As one of Atlanta's premiere songwriters, GNI has garnered performances alongside national acts including Devotchka, Centro-matic, Great Lake Swimmers, and Hot Young Priest, among others.
In April 2008, GNI released its sophomore release Blast/Bless the songwriter's most crown achievement to date. The 10-song album features talented fixtures from Atlanta's local music scene: Bassist Daniel Winn (Hot Young Priest, Cry Baby); Drummer Mark Carbone (No River City, Cry Baby); CJ Bargamian (A Fight to The Death, Cry Baby, Myssouri) on Omnichord; Nathan Green (No River City) on keys; and multi-instrumentalist Ben Holst (Love Tractor).
Blast/Bless was recorded at Dave Barbe's Chase Park Transduction (REM, Drive by Truckers, Chris Martin of Coldplay Bright Eyes, Deerhunter and more) in Athens, GA and producer/engineer Ben Holst's studio in Avondale Estates, GA.
While GNI has featured a revolving cast of musicians from Atlanta's prolific music scene, the group's core is cradled by the dynamic rhythm section of Drummer Mark Carbone and Bassist Daniel Winn – both of whom Tillman has performed with in various bands since high school.
GNI was conceived in 2001, as Tillman began writing and recording material on an analog four-track. Soon after, Tillman assembled diverse ensembles to back up his melodic alt-country, folk and blues compositions.
Debuting at the Star Bar in Atlanta's venerable Little Five Points neighborhood, GNI played the first of a series of live performances that set a buzz throughout Atlanta's music scene, prompting GNI to record an album. After a year and a half of writing, honing and tracking material between live shows, Goodnight Insomniacs delivered its eponymous debut release in 2003. The album features Bassist Daniel Winn and drummers Mark Carbone and Jamie Shepard (Hope for A Golden Summer, Telegram). The album was well-received earning rotation on college radio throughout the southeast and including the venerable Album 88.5, Atlanta's flagship college radio station.
GNI continues to flourish, as Tillman recently carried the torch westward (he resides in sunny Los Angeles), performing new material, as well as stripped-down and experimental versions from Blast/Bless.
