The Sleeping Years
Indie / Folk / Acoustic
London, United Kingdom
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About
The Sleeping Years is the new project from Dale Grundle, formerly of the Catchers. Now signed to French label Talitres Records (Walkmen, Swell, etc) and UK label Rocketgirl (A place to bury strangers, Robin Guthrie, etc), the debut album "We're becoming Islands One by One", is a gorgeous exploration of melody and melancholy. A gifted lyricist, Dale's exquisitely crafted songs tell of people trying to stay connected in a world seemingly designed to keep them apart. He is heavily influenced by the language and culture of his home in Ireland, providing a distinct character to this highly personal collection of songs.
Born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland to an Irish father and a Scottish mother, Dale started his first band Catchers while at school. Their first single 'Cotton Dress' came out on Setanta Records and became single of the week in Melody Maker. Their debut album 'Mute' was recorded with Mike Hedges in France. Catchers went on to tour with Pulp, Edwyn Collins, The Divine Comedy, Dr. John and Oasis. Their second album 'Stooping to Fit' was recorded with Nick Drake's arranger Robert Kirby.
Dale started his solo project The Sleeping Years with a trilogy of EPs in 2007, 'You and Me Against The World', 'Setting Fire to Sleepy Towns' and 'Clocks and Clones'. These were very well received and are living proof that independent singles do sell-out. They also 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 have been heavily played on Gideon Coe's 6music show, Stuart Bailie's BBC Radio show, and on French radio, having been championed by France's answer to John Peel, Bernard Lenoir.
The Sleeping Years have toured this year across France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland and the UK, including dates supporting The Bowerbirds and Damien Jurado.
'a record that only Bon Iver's 'For Emma, Forever Ago' has really rivaled in recent months. 'We're Becoming Islands One By One' could be remembered as one of 2008's best of its kind in years to come'. 8/10''
Drowned in Sound
'Tenderly focused, sparsely delivered and exquisitely tailored... 'We're Becoming Islands...' is a moment of refinement and rare beauty. An understated treasure if ever we heard one.'
Losing Today
'Grundle is emerging as one of our great off-centre songwriters'
The Word magazine '
'his voice breaks exquisitely between hope and despair in songs that the acoustic guitar was invented for'
The Guardian
'a one-man show that owes his lilting metaphysical lyricism to the likes of Nick Drake, Elliot Smith and John Martyn. It's good to know that there are people like him out there'
Dazed and Confused
'Just as Sufjan Stevens has been moved to celebrate the quirks and character of the United States, so Dale Grundle is devising his own charts, full of wonder, dread and reverie. Can't wait to see where he takes us next.'
Stuart Bailie (BBC Radio)
'beautifully understated... one of Grundle's great strengths is his lyrics'
BBC
All artwork for The Sleeping Years has been designed by Pika Pika.
All portrait photography is by Nial Pollock.
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Dec 11, 2008
Newsletter: KTP 3 Dec/Arctic Circle EP/Vienna/BTR Radio/London + Belgian shows/EP2
Hello, this is our last newsletter for 2008.
We would like to say a quick thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout this year.
Thanks so much for coming along to the shows, buying the CDs or just getting in touch to say hello.
Thank you also to everyone …
jkane, May 22, 2007:
Glad to see you on this site Dale. Got the e.p. in the post today. Thanks (that was fast!). Sounds sublime. I'm spreading the word.
All the best,
jkane.