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Sleepwalking Through The Ages

Jimmy O'Keefe | June 25, 2019

Topics: Ages, Austin York, Greenwood Shade, indie, Matthew E. White, Michael York, Sleepwalkers, Spacebomb Records

With their forthcoming album on Spacebomb Records, Richmond’s Sleepwalkers demonstrate their mastery over many eras of musical evolution.

Having established themselves as leaders of Richmond’s retro-inspired indie rock scene on their 2014 debut album, Greenwood Shade, the river city’s own Sleepwalkers are back with a new album that confirms their status as a band that shouldn’t be ignored. 

On Ages, set to be released on July 19 via Spacebomb Records, Sleepwalkers revive the best sounds of the 70s and 80s, keeping their music original with a tasteful modern flair added to the mix. A pop record at its core, Ages wouldn’t be complete without fuzzed-out melodies and lush instrumentation that allows for plenty of repeat listens without ever failing to capture the listener’s attention. 

Sleepwalkers’ retro sound is influenced by “all the greats,” according to Austin York, who plays bass and sings in the band. The band cited Prince, The Beatles, and Genesis as having played a part in inspiring the sound that came out on the record. 

“We take inspiration from people like Quincy Jones,” said Michael York, brother of Austin, who plays guitar and sings in the band. Jones is a legendary producer who has worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Ella Fitzgerald. That the band draws inspiration from a producer is telling; Ages was produced by the band all by themselves, allowing for complete creative control.

“I think the thing we are most proud of is the fact that we are a self-contained production group,” said Alex DeJong, who drums and engineers sound for the band. “We tried to push ourselves using the studio as a tool more than we did with the first record.”

Michael and Austin York in the studio.

Whereas Sleepwalkers’ booked the release show for Greenwood Shade before the album was even complete, forcing them to finish by a certain date, the band decided to give Ages the proper studio treatment. “This one was more taking our time, figuring out what sort of tones we wanted, which vibe we wanted,” said Austin. 

Chock full of various melodies and rhythms that stack on top of each other, Ages is a maximalist record, one that allows space for the sounds of different time periods to shine through. 

“We are doing these different time periods of music and the production changes with each one. It’s kind of like moving through different time periods,” Austin said. “It’s the Ages concept — moving through time.” 

The band’s debut album, Greenwood Shade, was self-released, but for Ages, they’ve hooked up with Spacebomb, a Richmond-based record label co-founded by well-known local musician Matthew E. White. With Spacebomb’s track record of releasing music by not only White but Natalie Prass, Andy Jenkins, and Bedouine, some might feel that Sleepwalkers’ time-traveling sound has found the perfect home. But for Sleepwalkers, the Spacebomb connection is really about friendship.

“Matt White brought us on tour a few years ago, and we just became good buds,” DeJong said. “It’s kind of a neat thing having a label in town.” 

Sleepwalkers are embarking on a tour in support of Ages. They’ll kick things off on July 13 in Richmond, alongside local favorites Camp Howard at The Broadberry. 

“Live shows are different,” Austin said, explaining that it’s difficult to replicate the complex sounds of the studio live on stage. DeJong mentioned that the band will stack a variety of keyboard tones onto a single keyboard, allowing for one instrument to sound like multiple synths. 

“It’s kind of hard to replicate a lot of the stuff, but we do make up for it with theatricality, or heavier vocals,” Michael added. 

Forging a new, unique sound by blending the music of the past with modern pop sensibilities, Sleepwalkers are notable for their ability to pay homage to the musical greats of earlier decades while maintaining a sound that is distinctively their own. 

This is a big challenge for any band, but it seems to come naturally to Sleepwalkers. The band is correct to be proud of the feat: “We did it all ourselves,” Austin said. 

Photos via Sleepwalkers/Facebook

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

The Sunday Reader: The Count of the River James by A.E. Stallings

A. E. Stallings | January 14, 2018

Topics: A.E. Stallings, Austin York, the count of the river james, virginia illustration, virginia literature

“Hannibal was the best. No comparison.”

Zane shook his head at this. He was the kind of pale that if you looked long enough you might be able to make out the road map of the veins in his face. The dark circles under his eyes made him look as if he was permanently fresh from an altercation. His hair was neat, faded perfectly and slicked back. He dressed well, always in black. He did what he could to protect himself from the sun. It wasn’t like what everyone believed, they were just extremely sensitive to natural light. They didn’t have to only go out at night.

“Do people still talk about Carthage? Do you ever hear about the rich expanse of the Carthage Empire? No.”

The café was dimly lit, most of the light came through the windows. Darwin and Zane sat in a booth close to the bar. They were both having coffee. Darwin was eating a bowl of strawberries. Darwin looked similar to Zane. Black hair also faded neatly to the top of his head but in a crew cut manner. He wore a silver ring on every finger.

“That doesn’t matter. Think about the battles; Trebia. Trasimene. Cannae. He was the essence of cunning. No apprehension.”

“I’d say Kahn.”

“Which one?”

“Genghis.” Zane shook his head in a manner to indicate the obviousness of his answer.

“How you are I almost expected you to pick Ögedei.”

“Come on.”

“I expected you to pick someone like Frank Drake.”

“Because I knew him?”

“No, it would just be like you to pick a glorified pirate when we are talking about Generals.”

Zane rolled his eyes, shielded by his sunglasses.

“Why Kahn?” Darwin bit into one of his strawberries. The smallest bit of red juice stuck to the corner of his mouth.

“Think about it. He took over most all of Eurasia. How many dynasties did he take on? 4? 5?” Zane held up the back of his outstretched hand revealing the fanged panther tattoo that reached out to his fingers. “Straight up, had one of the world’s largest continents under his control. Also a 20 year reign is way more impressive than say…” Zane waved his hand around in the air. “a 9 year reign, like Alexander.”

“I just think Kahn is heralded because he was flashy. Like Napoleon. He’s easier to sell in the history books. Choosing Kahn is like saying your favorite band is The Beatles. It’s too easy. Hannibal was methodical, he was pure.”

“I can’t disagree, but history is written by the victors. Kahn wrote his own fame.”

“But what of someone like Bonaparte? He failed and is still heralded as ‘a great’.”

“He was famous for compensating for his height and Waterloo.”

“I mean, I wouldn’t sa-“

“Do you remember when we saw him?”

“We did?” Darwin cocked his head.

“1800 or sometime around then.”

“Where?”

“Britain.”

“Why would have it been there?”

“Some treaty or another.”

“I think you’re thinking of his brother.”

“Possibly. It’s been some time.”

Darwin pushed his empty strawberry bowl to the side. Zane sat with his head cradled into his hand as he rested his elbow on the table. He looked outside at the vaguely busy shopping district. He saw a girl walk by. Her hair was blonde, almost white, her sunglasses large, designer brand of some sort, probably something Italian. She had a purse adorned with gold clasps, a white shirt and a grey skirt that was just short enough. She walked leisurely in shoes that matched the inside of a grapefruit color of her purse. Her lips matched this too, he could see it from here. She must have money, maybe she was an art or fashion student. He wondered where she was going. He felt as he normally felt at such a sight, something less carnal and more politely animalistic. What would she do tonight? Who would she see? He imagined her seeing him. He imagined her with a glass of wine, laughing. The words he would say. The logistics of his movements, both verbal and physical. Would he smile at her with that aged smirk? Would he comment on how smart or beautiful she was or would he play it coy? Would he give her his jacket if she got cold? Would he walk her to his apartment promising relaxation and more wine? He imagined her bound by his favorite accessories in his white bed. He imagined her small cries of ecstasy as he brushed his hand against her exposed thigh. Cries like the mews of a kitten, faint and adoring. He imagined what she would look like with her skin ripped off of her body.

“Zane.”

“Yeah?”

“What are you doing tonight?” He asked this as if he had already asked it once.

“Oh, uh, not sure. Some friends from Reykjavík are in town.”

“Ah, I heard about all that.”

“Yeah, you hate to see it… No one just disappears anymore.” Zane clenched his fists at this statement and moved his head towards his shoulder and cracked his neck.

“When was the last time you ate?” Darwin could sense Zane’s anxiety.

“2 weeks.”

“Shit.”

“You?’

“Maybe one week give or take a few days.”

“When?”

“Chalet.”

“Ok ok, I remember.” Zane nodded.

“You’ll be fine. The festivals start soon. Berlin is good for that.” Darwin smiled, stretching his handsome, feminine, pale face.

“True.” Zane nodded again. His arms crossed against his chest. “I’ll be fine.” Zane conceded to the fact his behavior was telling.

“You know what I’ve always wondered?”

“Yes?” Zane looked up from sipping his cup of coffee.

“I wonder if any General has ever been like us.”

“Other than the Wallachian?”

“Yeah, used a campaign or something as an excuse for themselves.”

“I feel like one of them would still be around and would have spouted off some divine rhetoric as to why they were so old. At least that’s what I would do. People were easier to convince in the old days.”

“Or maybe they’d go into hiding to avoid attention after a certain point.”

“Some said that about Hitler.”

“I honestly believe it, but I feel like we would have encountered him sometime between the 40’s and now. It’s not like we operate in a huge circle. He would be pretty high profile. Possibly too hated to show himself. If he is alive he is probably weathered away in some cellar.”

“Who knows?”

“It’s funny…”

“What is?”

“Usually tens of thousands of people die by the means of some General, some Emperor, some President, only for that leader to be murdered, overthrown or generally swept from power eventually. In a way…” He trailed off in thought and then resumed. “If any of the more tyrannical leaders of years of yore had been like us, those deaths would have actually meant something, at least some of them. Maybe I’m biased”

“I can see what you mean.” Zane took a sip of his coffee.

“What do you and the Icelander’s have planned?”

“Stroll around. Try to find something to eat.”

“Lovely. I wish you luck.”

“Maybe Berghain.”

“I’m really wishing you luck then.”

“They mentioned something about trying to make their way to Vietnam at some point.”

“Hopefully the disappearing act comes easier there.”

Illustration by Austin York, see more work by him at @johnaustinyork

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