Sleepthief

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Sleepthief is an American electronic music recording project formed by producer and composer Justin Elswick. Elswick began writing music for the album ten years prior to its release. The album was co-produced by Israel Curtis. Sleepthief's first album, The Dawnseeker, was released in 2006.

Sleepthief is most often compared to musical groups such as Delerium (in its output from the mid-1990s onward) and Balligomingo, which produce emotive, melodic, synthesized music with what is often described as New Age-influenced ethnic characteristics from other cultures. Also similar to these groups is Sleepthief's use of pop music-based song structures with performances by female singers: eleven vocalists contribute to The Dawnseeker, many of whom are established recording artists, and some having worked with the aforementioned groups previously.

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[edit] Biography

Born in Southern California, Elswick served as a Mormon missionary in Texas and received a B.A. degree in History from Brigham Young University. Throughout this period, he became a self-taught musician. Justin also studied in Ireland, graduating with a Master's degree in philosophy at Trinity College, Dublin followed by a law degree at J. Reuben Clark Law School. He is currently a practicing attorney in Provo, Utah.[1]

In addition, Elswick wrote for Musical Discoveries, a music website dedicated to female vocalists, as an associate editor.[2]

[edit] History of Sleepthief

Elswick began working on songs with Curtis around 2003. Russell Elliot, editor-in-chief of Musical Discoveries, put Elswick in contact with singer Jody Quine[3] in December 2003;[1] Quine became the first singer to join with the project, recording three songs and being filmed for a music video by 2005.[4] Vic Levak, who worked with Balligomingo along with Quine, also worked with the group.

[edit] The Dawnseeker

The Dawnseeker
Studio album by Sleepthief
Released June 27, 2006
Genre Electronic, pop
Label Neurodisc
Producer(s) Justin Elswick, Israel Curtis

All songs written by Elswick and the vocalist featured except where otherwise noted.

  1. "Eurydice"
    • featuring Jody Quine
  2. "Desire of Ages" (Curtis, Elswick, Harland, James Harland-Wright)
    • featuring Shelley Harland
  3. "You Did a Good Thing" (Elswick, Eric Harris, Hitchcock)
    • featuring Nicola Hitchcock (formerly of Mandalay)
  4. "Just Say It"
  5. "The Chauffeur" (Duran Duran) (original by Duran Duran)
  6. "Tenuous"
    • featuring Jody Quine
  7. "Sublunar (Sweet Angel)"
  8. "Nightjar" (Lavelle)
  9. "Fire from Heaven"
  10. "The Metro" (John Crawford) (original by Berlin)
    • featuring Jerri Eckert
  11. "Kiss to Savor"
    • featuring Jody Quine
  12. "Afterthoughts" (Edman)
    • featuring Lauren Edman
  13. "Entre Ciel et Mer" (Elswick, Harris, Sandrine Ligabue)
    • featuring San.Drine

[edit] Singles

The lead single, "Eurydice", was released as a digital download as well as a limited-edition CD single. The tracklisting for the single is as follows:

  1. Original
  2. Nick Wax's "Orpheus Descending" Mix
  3. Psychosomatic Remix
  4. Dark Territory Mix
  5. Nook and Kranny's "Lost" Remix
  6. Sensory Gate Remix
  7. Underworld A Capella

The follow-up single, "The Chauffeur", will be released in the same formats. 11 different versions of the song, as well as a bonus track "Send Me an Angel", also with Kristy Thirsk on vocals. Release is scheduled via iTunes for April of 2007.

Music videos were filmed for "Tenuous", "Eurydice", and "The Chauffeur".

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b Sleepthief - The Dawnseeker. Musical Discoveries. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
  2. ^ About Musical Discoveries. Musical Discoveries. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
  3. ^ Morpheus Music Interview - Sleepthief. Morpheus Music. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.
  4. ^ Viia - Vic Levak and Judy Quine. Musical Discoveries. Retrieved on January 11, 2007.

[edit] External links