Strays Don't Sleep

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Strays Don't Sleep

Background information
Genre(s)	Alternative country
Years active	2005–2006
Label(s)	One Little Indian
Website	www.straysdontsleep.com
Members
Matthew Ryan Neilson Hubbard Billy Mercer Brian Bequette Steve Lantanation

Strays Don't Sleep are a Nashville-based band, a collaborative project between singer/songwriters Matthew Ryan and Neilson Hubbard. They released their debut self-titled record in 2006.

[edit] History

Matthew Ryan approached Neilson Hubbard in 2004 about a collaboration, which could result in an interesting self-distributed release for fans. The collaboration was much more successful than expected and Strays Don’t Sleep was formed with Neilson Hubbard, Brian Bequette, Billy Mercer and Steve Latanation.

In the Autumn 2005 Strays Don't Sleep’s debut self-titled album was released in the UK on One Little Indian. The release includes a DVD of short films that were directed and shot by professional filmmakers and friends, including Gorman Bechard, The Barnes Brothers, Martin Glenn, Matt Boyd and Jared Johnson. Matthew Ryan and Neilson Hubbard also directed three of the short films with the help of Nashville film student, Matt Riddlehoover. A 5.1 surround sound mix of the entire record and films, by Pdub of Björk and Sneaker Pimps fame, is available on the DVD.

Strays Don't Sleep was released to great reviews from Timeout, Uncut, the Sunday Express and The Times. The success helped secure a US release, which was helped further by a placement in the hit CW (former WB) drama One Tree Hill. "For Blue Skies", a song concerning the sentencing of Matthew Ryan’s brother to 30 years in prison, was made available on the One Tree Hill Soundtrack. The band toured the UK with Josh Rouse to support the album. Strays Don't Sleep was officially disbanded mid-2006.