Sleeping At Last Band

Sleeping at Last is an alternative rock musical project led by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ryan O'Neal. The project initially began in Wheaton, Illinois as a three-piece band with Ryan O'Neal as the lead singer and guitarist, his brother Chad O'Neal as the drummer, and Dan Perdue as the bassist. The band independently recorded their debut album, Capture in 2000, which they used to attract the attention of Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who helped them get signed to a major record label Interscope Records. The band released their first and only major label album, Ghosts in 2003, before going independent again and releasing Keep No Score in 2006, and Storyboards in 2009.

In the years following the release of their first four albums, both Chad O'Neal and Perdue would both leave the band to pursue other interests. Ryan O'Neal chose to retain the use of the band's name for his solo work from that point on, but opted to focus on single songs and short EPs than any further traditional albums.

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While I enjoyed Sleeping At Last as a full band, my appreciation of the work greatly increased when Ryan began using the moniker for his solo works. He began creating EPS, some much better than others, in a series of really interesting collections.

Yearbook: Released a new 3-song EP corresponding to the month trying to capture the feeling of each of those months. Total songs: 36

Atlas, Year One: Six 5-song EPs based around these themes: Darkness, Light, Space 1, Space 2, Land, and Oceans. Total songs: 30

Atlas, Year Two: Currently in progress. One based around the theme of Life was released last September, and the second based around the theme of Senses was released today (May 6th, 2016).

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They've (He?) also has had a fair amount of success getting songs included in television shows (Grey's Anatomy regularly features their music, and there's a song on one of the Twilight movie soundtracks) and has completed one soundtrack for the indie film Many Beautiful Things. He's also got a cover album, and releases new covers working towards a second one pretty regularly.

Anyone else a fan?

 

Ghosts was one of my favorite albums in high school. I really want to take the time to sit with his new material; I'm on his mailing list and the material behind his new project sounds fascinating

 

Highly recommend starting with November from Yearbook or Darkness from Atlas, Year One.

 

I bought all the Yearbook EPs when they came out and still haven't listened to them haha. It's on my to-do list

 

I think he gave away Yearbook on Noisetrade for like a day because it was his birthday or something. That's when I snagged in. I bought all of Atlas, Year One though to make up for it.

 

I love SAL. I think it's fascinating how Ryan bases his songs/EPs around different themes. Really appeals to my OCD/completionist side haha. It's an interesting songwriting method and something that I've considered trying to use for inspiration myself.

While I enjoy his recent work, I will say that a lot of it has started to run together for me. All of his stuff sounds gorgeous, but there doesn't seem to be too much sonic variation since it became essentially his solo project. Most of his songs also lack a defining chorus or hook, which I think is by design and isn't an objectively bad thing by any means, but it keeps me from really being compelled to return to his releases for multiple listens.

That being said, I thought most of Yearbook was fantastic and I have the art prints of all 12 of the EP covers hanging in my spare bedroom where I practice and record. SAL's album art never disappoints.

 

One of the most talented musicians around. Really enjoyed the Senses EP, particularly 'Hearing' & 'Sight'. I don't know how he consistently puts out so much good quality music.

 

My favorite thing he's done is the two space EP's. I like to put 'em together and listen like a full length album. I think he diversified a lot on those ones.

 

I'd agree with that. I think they're absolutely gorgeous.

 

Earth is one of my favorite songs of his I think. Lyrically and musically. Ryan just really knows how to make this beautiful atmosphere with all of his songs.

 

I have not been able to keep up with all of his EPs, but I really love a fair amount of the Yearbook and Atlas series.

 

Okay, "Anger" might be my new favorite Sleeping at Last song.

 

Finally went through all the Yearbook songs, real beautiful stuff. Also very cool to hear one of his covers in that Mercedes commercial

 

The free Christmas collection is sick

 

First episode of the Sleeping At Last Podcast was released today. Sounds like it's going to go into detail on the inspiration and creation of specific songs. Fascinating listen. Hope Ryan continues it and covers songs with a variety of styles and from different eras of the band.

 

Looking forward to this podcast. I've always enjoyed the 'how it was made' blogs.

 

Been enjoying the Enneagram songs - my only problem is the gap between each of them and the way he's released Atlas Year Two as singles one at a time that build to an EP or album, rather than just releasing the whole thing in one go. I think I would have appreciated these Enneagram songs a lot more as a whole album.

Either way, he makes the most gorgeous music and the podcasts about the Enneagram songs have been insightful so far.

 

Listening to Ghosts right now for the first time in probably...ten years? Still a gorgeous album.

 

His Enneagram songs are incredible.

Just heard his speaking voice for the first time starting the podcasts about them and it was not what I expected haha

 

it's been a long time since I explored his work. What's he been up to? I think some of the BIG projects were a bit intimidating to dive into.

 

He just finished Atlas: Year Two

 

I've really enjoyed the Enneagram project. Still wish it was released all at once instead of the first one coming out at the end of 2017 and the final one being recently released. But some beautiful music as always.

 

Saturn and Touch are really hitting me lately.

 

I don’t know if people saw but Atlas III has begun. Subscribers have got the first song. Haven’t had new Sleeping at Last music for a while so it’s nice.