Sleepwalkers are a local alt-rock/pop band who’ve been subtly generating a buzz with semi-infrequent local shows around town over the past year-plus. Led by brothers Michael and Austin York, their shift into Sleepwalkers is analogous to the transition that occurs when a former child actor switches smoothly into adult roles.
Sleepwalkers are a local alt-rock/pop band who’ve been subtly generating a buzz with semi-infrequent local shows around town over the past year-plus. Led by brothers Michael and Austin York, their shift into Sleepwalkers is analogous to the transition that occurs when a former child actor switches smoothly into adult roles. Their former group, Duchess Of York, had quite a following amongst the younger set back in the mid-2000s, and their shows were characterized by elaborate light shows, wild rockstar performances, and teenagers swooning in the front rows. Sleepwalkers are an entirely different animal, though, and their debut LP, Greenwood Shade, proves it. The transition that’s occurred in the songs the Yorks write over the past several years is both noticeable and commendable. It has the same effect as seeing Leonardo DiCaprio in Gangs Of New York–it lets you know the young man has grown up.
On Greenwood Shade, the men of Sleepwalkers explore a variety of genres and eras that fall under the general umbrella of pop, evoking everything from the sunshine daydreams of the Revolver-era Beatles (“Cheers”) to the psychedelic explorations of Pink Floyd–or maybe Tame Impala (“Prey And Pressure”), even dipping into the international flavors explored by Paul Simon and David Byrne in the 80s and recently revived by Vampire Weekend (“Images”). You’ll be able to get all of these songs and more–a total of 13 in all–on Greenwood Shade, which will be released in conjunction with Sleepwalkers’ performance at The Broadberry on Friday, July 11, beginning at 8 PM. The band will be joined by Black Girls and Dead Professional, and admission is a bargain at only $5. Order your tickets in advance by clicking HERE, and be sure to bring some extra cash with which to pick up a copy of Greenwood Shade for your very own.
For now, we’ve got one song from that album to exclusively share with you. It’s called “Off On The Weekend,” and on an album full of catchy pop hooks and standout choruses, this was one that made an even more memorable impression from moment one. The bouncy bassline and Cuban-style percussion of the song’s opening moments lead into an extremely upbeat, synth-drenched chorus that has kind of a Paul Simon crossed with Steely Dan feel. This tune is going to have you out on the dance floor on Friday night for sure, but for now, we can all just play it through our headphones and pretend that we aren’t still stuck halfway through yet another stultifying work week. Dance in your swivel chair to this one, everybody:
