The Sleeping Years is the new project from Dale Grundle, formerly of the Catchers.
Now signed to French label Talitres Records (Walkmen, Swell) and UK label Rocketgirl (A place to bury strangers, Robin Guthrie), 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 Northern Ireland, Dale started his first band Catchers while at school. Their debut album ‘Mute’ was recorded with Mike Hedges (U2, Manic Street Preachers, The Cure) and 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 The Sleeping Years with a trilogy of EPs which received critical acclaim, featuring on BBC Radio 1’s Introducing, The Guardian’s writers’ play list and on the cover mount of Rolling Stone and The 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 release of ‘We’re becoming Islands One by One’ took The Sleeping Years across France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and the UK, with dates in Vienna and Ireland. This included shows supporting Bowerbirds, Damien Jurado, Gregor Samsa, Edwyn Collins and Okkervil River. Dale also collaborated on projects with the band Rothko and with songwriter Ted Barnes (Beth Orton, Clayhill). ‘This old world grown quiet’ by Dale and Ted was performed recently with an orchestra at London’s Union Chapel.
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Drowned in Sound: ‘a record that only Bon Iver’s ‘For Emma, Forever Ago’ has really rivalled 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”
The Word magazine: ‘Grundle is emerging as one of our great off-centre songwriters’
Rock n Reel: ‘An extraordinary introduction to a hugely talented artist… exquisite’
The Guardian: ‘his voice breaks exquisitely between hope and despair in songs that the acoustic guitar was invented for’
Dazed and Confused: ‘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’
Stuart Bailie (BBC Radio): ‘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.’
BBC: ‘beautifully understated… one of Grundle’s great strengths is his lyrics’
Contact: group@sleepingyears.com