Fanatic Promotion: El Paso-based dreampop trio Sleepspent, led by 22-year-old Austin North, addresses mental health issues on standalone single, out now.

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

El Paso-based dreampop trio Sleepspent, led by 22-year-old Austin North, addresses mental health issues on standalone single, out now.

Band out on tour now supporting latest track, current Chris Common (Minus The Bear)-produced EP. Hear “California” at Substream.

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Sleepspent (L-R): Grant Gonzalez, Austin North, Josh Mendoza. Photo credit: Jesse Maynes.

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PLAY, POST & SHARE

Sleepspent

“California” Single

(Slow Start Records)

Out Now

[STREAM | MP3]: https://fanatic.lnk.to/Sleepspent-California

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Sleepspent – On Tour

11/10/2018: El Paso, TX @ Lucchese East

11/11/2018: Albuquerque, NM @ Moonlight Lounge

11/13/2018: Denver, CO @ Seventh Circle

11/14/2018: Fort Collins, CO @ Pinball Jones

11/15/2018: Omaha, NE @ The B Bar

11/17/2018: Kansas City, KS @ House Show

11/18/2018: Oklahoma City, OK @ The Root

11/19/2018: Amarillo, TX @ The 806

11/20/2018: Lubbock, TX @ Downtown Social Club

11/24/2018: Tucson, AZ @ House Show

11/25/2018: Indio, CA @ Club 5

11/30/2018: Reno, NV @ St. James Infirmary

12/01/2018: Fallon, NV @ The Telegraph

12/02/2018: Las Vegas, NV @ The Beauty Bar

12/04/2018: Tucson, AZ @ Monterey Court

12/05/2018: Phoenix, AZ @ The Lunchbox

12/06/2018: Bisbee, AZ @ The Quarry

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Check out “Come Smile With Me” by Sleepspent at All Things Go and see the video at Popdust (or at the links below!)

[STREAM | MP3]: https://fanatic.lnk.to/Sleepspent-ComeSmileWithMe

[VIDEO]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWq6guCw1TM

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“Deep, focused vocals seem to glide effortlessly through a dense fog. This may be the perfect soundtrack to the morning.” — All Things Go

“‘California’ came from a place of desperation, from a feeling of being trapped in a painful and hopeless situation,” explains 22-year-old Austin North, the leader of El Paso-based dreampop trio Sleepspent. The song is a new standalone single, released on the eve of the band’s fall tour (see itinerary above.) “I’ve suffered with mental health issues for years now,” North continues, “I have been in some situations that have made my struggle much more difficult. This song is a reflection of those feelings as they escalated, and shows a very personal experience that happened in California. I hope it sheds light on the struggles people with mental illness go through.”

Sleepspent also recently released its first official music video, for the song “Come Smile With Me,” off of its current EP “It’s Better If You Don’t Speak Or Think”.

“The video involves me kicking people out of a party,” says North. “It kind of replicates the contrast that the song has. Sonically, it makes sense to soundtrack a house party, but lyrically it is much more introspective and contemplative than a stereotypical party track. The lyrics involve sleep and silence, and so it feels appropriate to showcase the song with the end of a party, when one is exhausted and just wants to rest.”

North began performing as a UC San Diego student before eventually returning to his hometown of El Paso to form Sleepspent. The band, now a trio including Grant Gonzalez on bass and Josh Mendoza on drums, released its Chris Common (Minus The Bear, Chelsea Wolfe, Le Butcherettes)-produced debut “It’s Better If You Don’t Speak Or Think earlier this year.

North’s knack for creating music that is bathed in atmosphere (think Slowdive mixed with a more reverb-y Radiohead, led by a guitarist with an effects pedal fetish) that doesn’t lean away from authentic lyricism and captivating vocal performances (think Jeff Buckley) is proven on “It’s Better If You Don’t Speak Or Think”.

“We’re also definitely inspired by shoegaze and dreampop,” North says, elaborating on Sleepspent’s sound. “That can be heard in the alternate tunings used throughout our music as well as the melodic chord progressions and melodies.”

The new Sleepspent single “California,” as well the current EP “It’s Better If You Don’t Speak Or Think,” are both out now via Slow Start Records. Austin North is available for interviews. Contact Josh Bloom at Fanatic for more information.

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Sleepspent

“It’s Better If You Don’t Speak Or Think” EP

(Slow Start Records)

Out Now