Think of yourself swimming in the ocean, the moonlight is overhead and all you see are dancing shadows on the low lit ocean. Sometimes I try and imagine the nature setting of the music I am listening to. I felt this way when listening to Wheaton, Illinois “indie rock” band Sleeping At Last’s song “The Ash In Our Clothes.” The song is off of their January EP* from their yearbook project.
Sleeping At Last has released a few prominent albums in the last several years. Last fall was when this routine changed. The band came up with a yearbook project where they will release an EP of three songs every month for one year, starting in October of 2010. It will give them a chance to experiment with the music they make. With this project they also have more freedom in how their music is made and the instruments they use on songs.
This idea seemed wonderful to me when I first heard it. The band, however, did not get that same reaction when I first heard of them. When I first heard their band name I put it off as a post-rock or alternative rock band I would not get into. Sometime last year a friend posted on his blog some of the music that he associates with other people. I knew he had the same music tastes as me so I read through his list.
Sleeping At Last was on the list and he spoke of how beautiful the music was and that he was grateful for the friends who introduced him to the band. I took a chance and searched for their music. I came across their song “Say” from their album ‘Ghosts’. The lyrics “Say what you really want to say / And the truest of forms will show, / Finally you'll find your soul” intrigued me. Not only did I like the sound of their music but they wrote meaningful lyrics as well. As a song-writer myself I believe in the authenticity and originality of music. The artists who are commercialized and on major record labels do not usually write their own lyrics and it adds to my dislike of them.
After listening to their music, the yearbook project came up. I knew that I wanted to support the band as they are not backed by a records label. I had bought the subscription to the yearbook project. The music is different from their previous albums but as with all music it changes over time. The music I have come across from them has been superb thus far though. Through their exploration of music and my exploration of theirs I have come across some of my new favorite songs.
Now all I wish to do is go swimming at night with the moonlit shadows dancing on the waters as I float. The Oregon coast is far too cold and a while away so I will not have that chance. At least their music can transport me there when I cannot physically be there.
Recommended songs: “Emphasis” (November EP), “Snow” (December EP), and “Land Or Sea” (February EP).
This blog’s title was inspired by their song “From The Ground Up” off of their December EP. The quote in the description is from their song “Homesick” off of their October EP.
*An “EP” is short for an “extended play” which is an album consisting of three to seven songs.
To read more about Sleeping At Last’s yearbook project see their website.
Sleeping At Last has released a few prominent albums in the last several years. Last fall was when this routine changed. The band came up with a yearbook project where they will release an EP of three songs every month for one year, starting in October of 2010. It will give them a chance to experiment with the music they make. With this project they also have more freedom in how their music is made and the instruments they use on songs.
This idea seemed wonderful to me when I first heard it. The band, however, did not get that same reaction when I first heard of them. When I first heard their band name I put it off as a post-rock or alternative rock band I would not get into. Sometime last year a friend posted on his blog some of the music that he associates with other people. I knew he had the same music tastes as me so I read through his list.
Sleeping At Last was on the list and he spoke of how beautiful the music was and that he was grateful for the friends who introduced him to the band. I took a chance and searched for their music. I came across their song “Say” from their album ‘Ghosts’. The lyrics “Say what you really want to say / And the truest of forms will show, / Finally you'll find your soul” intrigued me. Not only did I like the sound of their music but they wrote meaningful lyrics as well. As a song-writer myself I believe in the authenticity and originality of music. The artists who are commercialized and on major record labels do not usually write their own lyrics and it adds to my dislike of them.
After listening to their music, the yearbook project came up. I knew that I wanted to support the band as they are not backed by a records label. I had bought the subscription to the yearbook project. The music is different from their previous albums but as with all music it changes over time. The music I have come across from them has been superb thus far though. Through their exploration of music and my exploration of theirs I have come across some of my new favorite songs.
Now all I wish to do is go swimming at night with the moonlit shadows dancing on the waters as I float. The Oregon coast is far too cold and a while away so I will not have that chance. At least their music can transport me there when I cannot physically be there.
Recommended songs: “Emphasis” (November EP), “Snow” (December EP), and “Land Or Sea” (February EP).
This blog’s title was inspired by their song “From The Ground Up” off of their December EP. The quote in the description is from their song “Homesick” off of their October EP.
*An “EP” is short for an “extended play” which is an album consisting of three to seven songs.
To read more about Sleeping At Last’s yearbook project see their website.
2 comments:
I like the idea of your blog. I listen to a lot if "indie" music myself and love discovering new bands and artists. I also listen to and like a lot of commercial music. I know most commercial artists do not write their own songs, but I enjoy their songs nevertheless. What is it about commercial music that you dislike it so much? Shouldn't music be appreciated for its own sake and for the entertainment that it provides, rather than who the person behind the music is and whether or not he/she chose for the big money?
Marit, I find the authenticity of a song is lost in mainstream music. Sometimes I see songs from mainstream artists as merely cover songs because the artists did not write them themselves. I agree with you that it should be all about the music but when talented artists are left behind because of a major label "picking up" someone who can sell records, I dislike that. I feel that music these days is about making money and selling records than the expression of making the music itself. I just don't agree with the business practices of major labels and the like.
Post a Comment