You can read the original here - but needless to say, we are beyond pleased about Mr. DeRogatis’ review.

As historic Chicago landmarks go, Graceland Cemetery is one of the least obtrusive: You’ve probably passed the entrance to this storied burial ground at Clark and Irving a thousand times without even realizing it’s there. Yet the resting place of some of the city’s most legendary politicians and industrialists serves as the inspiration for one of the strongest indie-pop discs to emerge from the underground music scene in the new millennium; as the press materials for Sleep Out’s second album put it, the 11 songs on “Not Even Dust” are “all inspired by Graceland Cemetery, some in more explicit ways than others. Some take the vantage point of a newly interred resident while others depict the thoughts of passersby.”
Guitarist-vocalist Quinn Goodwillie and his bandmates Nate Bartley, Sam Grant, Ben Geier and Eddie Lo made their recorded debut with “I Am Your Shroud” in 2006, but the new disc is a leap forward in terms of the sophisticated songwriting and gorgeous soundscapes; recorded in Portland by Dylan Magierk and finished in Chicago at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio, it recalls some of the best likeminded efforts those gentlemen have given us in the past, in particular Magierk’s work with Red House Painters and Albini’s contributions to the sadly under-heralded Rachel’s.

Sleep Out will celebrate its new release with a live broadcast on KEXP.org at 11 a.m. on July 16, followed by a free show that evening at the Dark Room, 2210 W. Chicago Ave. Check the group’s Web sites for more details and samples of its exquisite new sounds: www.myspace.com/sleepout and http://sleepout.net/.

July 2nd, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: quinngoodwillie . Comments: No Comments

Hey everyone,

We’re extremely excited to be taking part in KEXP’s Chicago Residency in July. We’ll be joining the KEXP staff at Engine Studios to broadcast a live set on July 16th at 11am CST / 9am CST. You can listen live at KEXP.org. We have a huge amount of respect for KEXP and are really looking forward to this! If you’d like to attend the live broadcast, be sure to sign up and reserve a spot here. Space is limited.

Also - we’re going to be playing their Listener Appreciation Party at the Dark Room later that night. It’s a free show, so come on out!

July, 16 2008 at KEXP Listener Appreciation Party @ Dark Room w/ AU (FREE SHOW)
2210 w chicago ave, Chicago, Illinois 60622
Cost : Free

Equalizer celebrates its 1st year anniversary with the KEXP.org Listener Appreciation Party featuring the Chicago debut of Au with very special guests Sleep Out hosted by Equalizer residents DJ Johnny Kesh DJ Mikey Dance Panther 8:00pmFREE show21+ only
$3 Goose Island 312 bottles

If you’re in Chicago, don’t forget your umbrella today.
-Q

June 25th, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: quinngoodwillie . Comments: No Comments

Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for coming out the last few days to support us as we release our second album, “Not Even Dust”. The band has been having a blast and we really enjoyed the chance to play a couple of dates with Weinland and meet some fun people along the way. The Beat Kitchen show was a blast and we can’t thank you enough for your generosity and kindness concerning the new record.

Andy Downing at the Chicago Tribune did a nice feature article about “Not Even Dust”. You can read the online version here. The Sun Times featured us as a concert pick and Time Out called us “Chicago’s Pop Princes” - Sam was excited because, as he says, that’s only one ’s’ away from attaining his ultimate goal of being “Chicago’s Pop Princess”. We wish him all the best in that endeavor.

We are in the midst of booking more shows now and we’ll have links to purchase the record digitally via Badman Recording Co soon. Again, we can’t thank you enough for your support and we’re excited that people seem to be enjoying our new record. We’re already at work on record 3.

Take care,
Quinn
Sleep Out

June 8th, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: quinngoodwillie . Comments: No Comments

Remember how you always wanted to go to practice with us, go to some bars, play ping pong, ask Sam what’s really on his mind and find out how much cake we could eat?

Experience a virtual night out with Sleep Out via the Red Eye. The print version is avialable at your local newstand, el stop / corner distro box. There are 27 slides in all, so enjoy!! We’d like to extend a sincere thanks to the Red Eye’s Matt Pais for a fun evening.

Also, we play record release shows in Minneapolis / St. Paul tonight, Madison tomorrow and Chicago on Friday!

June 4th, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: quinngoodwillie . Comments: No Comments

Here’s a short video that I put together quickly using the footage shot over the last year during tracking for Not Even Dust.

The Making of Not Even Dust - Promo video

May 24th, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: bengeier . Comments: No Comments

Click images to enlarge.

May 23rd, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: bengeier . Comments: No Comments

We’re excited to have been included on the Hood Internet’s upcoming mixtape “The Hood Internet Vs. Chicago” which pairs (mashes) some of Chicago’s finest indie rock and hip-hop bands. We won’t spoil the surprise, but one of our older equistrian themed tracks serves as the backdrop for one of Chicago’s baddest female MC’s.   Thanks to everyone who came out to Hideout last week - we had a blast! Our record release show is on Friday June 6th at the Beat Kitchen. We’d love to see you there!

May 16th, 2008
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April 16th, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: quinngoodwillie . Comments: No Comments

Our song “Graceland Cemetery” from our forthcoming album Not Even Dust, is featured on Gapers Block’s first MuxTape. Check out our track and lots of other cool tracks here. While you’re there, have a look at their Transmission blog and the main GB site - both are well worth your time. You can resume your search for mp3s and porn afterwards.

April 11th, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: quinngoodwillie . Comments: No Comments

Thanks for coming out to Schubas this weekend.  We really enjoyed playing both nights with Jason Collett and his band.  We also appreciated the opportunity to debut some of our new material to such wonderful and attentive audiences. In other news, we’re mastering our album today! Also, we’re in the midst of booking a short Midwestern-jaunt this June with Badman Recording Co’s very own, Weinland. Other shows are in the works too.

March 31st, 2008
Categories: Uncategorized . Author: quinngoodwillie . Comments: No Comments