Sleeping States

Myspace // "Call Me" (Throwing Muses cover) [mp3]

Sleeping States is the pseudonym of Markland Starkie, a Midlands born multi-instrumentalist who now calls London home. Sleeping States' music offers up a wave of contradictions with Starkie, at times, juxtaposing lo-fi minimalist song construction and recording techniques with lush instrumentation and layers and layers of sound. You can almost expect the unexpected with Sleeping States, as songs sometimes start out mellow but slowly evolve into something quite different with the addition of a few instruments and a quickened tempo. The end result is interesting, compelling, and just gorgeous sounding music. Though I think the delicate pathos of "The Next Step" evokes the best of Red House Painters, I think fans of Rogue Wave and even the poppier Ra Ra Riot could easily find reasons to love Sleeping States.

Jeremy Warmsley

Myspace // "The Boat Song (live on WTOTS)" [mp3]

I first wrote about Jeremy Warmsley a couple of weeks ago in relation to his monthly music program, Welcome To Our TV Show! However, since I didn't actually discuss the young troubadour's music at the time, I think it's necessary to mention him again. A native of London, Warmsley is an integral part of the emerging neo-folk scene that includes Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit, Emmy the Great, and Noah and the Whale. With a gorgeous nasal baritone layered over lush instrumentation and complex storytelling lyrical forms, Warmsley's music is a little reminiscent of Colin Meloy of the Decemberists... only with a folkier background and a penchant for drum machines.

The next few months should be busy for the 25 year old, as Warmsley will release a single, play some shows, and, oh yeah, record and produce new monthly installments of his TV show. "The Boat Song" (featuring and co-written by Emmy the Great) and "Temptation" (cover of the New Order classic) will be released as a double A-side single on June 2nd in the UK followed by a proper second album, How We Became, which should be released at some later point in 2008 on Transgressive.