Marc Riley - 02/09/2009

Marc Riley spins some tunes and Sleeping States play live in the studio. Plus there are classic session tunes from Wreckless Eric, the Flaming Lips, the Drowning Craze and Girls At Our Best. Sleeping States has been an ongoing musical project for ex-Midlander, ex-East Anglian, ex-Londoner and current Bristolian, Markland Starkie, since 2004. Originally inspired by the energy and DIY ethos of labels such as K Records in the US and Slampt in the UK, Markland has released a slew of records of various formats and lengths on numerous micro- and independent labels, both in the UK and abroad over the past five years. These releases, embracing the more lo-fi end of the recording spectrum, skip from genre to genre, from introspective folk to synth pop to choral doo wop, though always at the heart of his experimentation and exploration are confident melodies, minimal arrangements and a strong sense of romance. A new album titled In the Gardens of the North is out now; a record of pastoral observation influenced by Markland's experiences of the different areas of Britain he's lived in, as well as taking inspiration from the literature he has consumed (when not music-making, Markland works on an academic project researching Penguin Books).