Sleepless Me
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Sleepless Me

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"08-2006 interview/write up"

Exclusive Interview: Cory Clark of Sleepless Me
By Alison Eshelman: 2006-08-09



When I was introduced to Grow, the first official EP from Los Angeles-based band Sleepless Me, the initial thing that struck me was the illustration on the cover: a close-up view of the belly of a full-term woman, with the word “Grow” etched above the belly button. The more I stared at it, the more I contemplated what that picture really meant.

Inside the expectant mother is a new life form, something pure, honest and innocent that has been given refuge from all that is wrong with the world to grow and develop into something beautiful. After listening to the five tracks this alternative rock trio created, the choice of the image made even more sense. This is a raw, heartfelt record; the music harbored within the cover is as genuine, sincere and untainted as the child inside.

Sleepless Me was created by frontman and solo artist Cory Clark, who has always known that music was for him; he learned piano before picking up guitar when he was 10 years old. ”Ever since I was a kid, it was always the ONE thing that I ‘got’ - I was average at just about everything I tried except music,” said Clark. “From there, I played in bands throughout school, began playing guitar in churches, and then with professional artists in the past five or six years.”

When it came time to start recording, Cory hooked up with producer Chris Karn, the mastermind behind the band DECCATREE, and recruited two players he knew could lay down the right groove and capture the feel he wanted for the music: drummer Mark Romans and bass player Luke Agajanian. ”It was an honor to have those two contribute to the project,” said Cory.

The band’s name, Sleepless Me, came when he was recording his first demo at a local studio called Sound Matrix. “It was a ‘free to me’ deal, so we could only work late at night on it. Every time we got in the studio it was rushed, and I got no sleep on those nights, because of a 9-5 work schedule.”

Influenced by 90s rockers like Ours, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley and Collective Soul, Sleepless Me write songs that send a message – sometimes by design and other times subconsciously. ”I write music about love, loss, belief, doubt - anything that is real to me,” said Clark. “My truth. But lately, when I sit down to write, I try to generally introduce subjects that can contribute to growth, or something positive. I really want people to get something, or feel something, and take away something from what they hear.”

Personally, the EP’s second song, “Alone,” evokes the most emotion from me. The rhythm is set by an acquiescent acoustic strumming before Cory’s smooth, melodious voice chimes in the chorus. The lead guitar carries the song, which ebbs and flows with the nomadic, solitary lyrics: "Alone is my place/In a crowd or in silence I drift into space."

Asked what sets them apart from other bands, Cory replied: “I'd like to think it’s honesty. I don’t write or play anything that I don’t like. I don’t want to follow trends, or pretend.” He adds, “Also, I hope my songwriting sets me apart. I am a fan of songs. Good songs. Some guys get together and put ideas into something, but a bunch of ideas don’t make a piece of art that moves people, or that people can identify with.”

Since recording, Clark continues to play with Mark and Luke live, and he has also worked in another bass player, Dale Dimapindan. Currently, he’s working on putting together a solo acoustic tour, but also continues to play with the band. ”Right now I am looking forward to getting out into the world and sharing my music with unsuspecting listeners.”

However the music reaches its audience, I am looking forward to watching this band establish itself in the industry, and I can only hope the freshness continues to develop as they move towards their first full-length album.

Grow features the following tracks:
1. Balance
2. Alone
3. Little Reminders
4. It Was Everything
5. Grow - Alison Eshelman


"OPen Mic Magazine review"

The music industry is a tough industry, especially for independent artists. It’s a competitive industry filled with many talented, and sometimes not so talented, artists seeking to be heard. It’s unfortunate that the industry is dominated by money minded executives looking to make a quick buck, leaving many talented artists in the dust to fend for themselves. This mindset has resulted in a lack of quality, truly artistic music being fed to the masses. Many artists who possess real talent and who have something great to give the world are often unappreciated and unnoticed on a mainstream level. Artists such as Sleepless Me who make music from their heart and soul struggle to get heard, but the reality remains that musicians who stay true to the art are the greatest successes no matter how much radio play they receive.
Essentially a solo project headed by singer/songwriter Cory Clark, Sleepless Me is an endeavor dedicated to creating music from the soul and making the audience feel something with their music. While playing guitar in various other projects, Cory eventually linked up with drummer Mark Romans and bass player Luke Agajanian to work on the Sleepless Me EP “Grow”. Grow is a solid creation, full of great instrumentation and thought provoking lyrics. Cory’s vocals are strong and impressive. It’s feel good Rock and Roll, and the songs are different and much better than many of the loosely put together songs playing on the radio today. It is very evident that a lot of hard work and love went into the Grow EP. It is a great way for Sleepless Me to be introduced to the world, and if this is an example of the type of music that will continue to be released, Sleepless Me will be around for a while.
Sleepless me is sure to develop a large fan base. Already touring throughout California, there are plans to eventually expand to other areas to perform. Inspired by artists such as U2, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, you can’t go wrong. It’s hard to believe that Sleepless me has only played a handful of shows as a full band and have only one EP released. After hearing their music you would think that they’ve been doing this a lot longer than they have. Although Cory Clark has what it takes to be solo and do it well, he blends very well with the other members of Sleepless Me and it is a project he can be very proud of. Cory took some time to talk with Open Mic Magazine about his project and his feelings on the industry:

Open Mic Magazine: Is there a story behind the name Sleepless Me?

Cory: The name Sleepless Me came about while I was recording my first demo of my own music, about 5 years ago. I was recording it at a studio in Fountain Valley called Sound Matrix. It was again, just me, writing, singing, playing the instruments, except the drums. I hired a great drummer named David Demeter for that session. But the whole project was on a “spec” deal, which means it was free for me to record, with the understanding that if it got picked up by a label then I would pay back the producer for the time and work. Nothing ever happened with the four song demo, but I walked away with a free recording. The only bummer was that since I wasn’t a paying customer, we could only work on it after hours, and it took a long time. So at that time I was working a full time day job, and the nights when we went into work I got no sleep. Hence the name...

Open Mic Magazine: What would you say makes you guys stand out amongst the many artists out there?

Cory: I hate sounding snobby, but so many bands around locally today are following a trend of neo-80’s rock-pop, that I think is kinda boring. I was never into 80’s pop back then anyway. Also, I am a fan of good songs. Not just cool ideas, but actual songs. Great songwriting to me is the ultimate.

Open Mic Magazine: What in your opinion has contributed to the demise of the music industry?

Cory: The huge companies that bought up all the major record labels. Bands have to have a gigantic hit single to stay on a major label without getting canned, and the formulas that are in place to be marketable and sellable are shit. Just go somewhere where good local music is. People that love music love good bands, they don’t care what they look like or what they are wearing.

Open Mic Magazine: What are some of the things you hope to accomplish with your music?

Cory: I want people to feel something when they listen. I want to be a soundtrack for someone’s day, or their situation that they might be going through. I want to be a part of that contribution.

Open Mic Magazine: If there’s one thing you would like the world to know about Sleepless Me that we may not already know, what would it be?

Cory: That music should be given, and shared, and inspiring. Not just inspiring on a creative level, but on a personal level. People need to support that, and get behind that. I really want to be a part of something that has weigh - Lisa -open mic mag


""Come pick me up" blog spot"

"By the time I get beyond it there is something new to take its place."

Cory Clark and his boys, who together form LA pop/rock trio Sleepless Me, are all too appealing. Their debut EP, Grow, boasts five super slick, made for the radiowaves tracks. "Alone", the first of the featured tracks scores big points with me as the result of its wandering, melodic lead guitar work while the second track is just a bit more "rock 'n' roll"...

Sleepless Me - Alone
Sleepless Me - Grow

more info...
Myspace
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posted by Lizzy at 7/13/2006

1 Comments:
Anonymous said...
WOW. Really great band.

7:14 PM - Lizzy- come pick me up blogspot


Discography

"2" -e.p. 2008

"GROW" -e.p 2006

Photos

Bio

Sleepless Me is a 3-piece rock band, which consists of three serious and experienced musicians. They are consistently touring the country, and were recently honored as "2007 BEST ALTERNATIVE BAND" by the ORANGE COUNTY MUSIC AWARDS.

Sleepless Me was born of a pure love, and obsession for strong and lasting music and the true artists in the world.
"I have always been a fan of great music, and was always moved by the artists I loved, and what they did...so naturally I have always known that I would be a part of that." says Cory Joseph, singer/guitar & songwriter of the band. Sleepless Me have been compared to rock bands such as Led Zeppelin, Audioslave, Incubus, and Muse, to name a few. Full of sincerity, energy, and positivity, the band continues to win over crowds locally in Los Angeles, and Orange County, as well as around the country.

Feeling and soul, have really been lost in most modern popular music today. Especially in the area of relevant rock music. But there are still a few bands creating something complete, and full of emotion out there.
Sleepless Me is one of those few.
Strong groove, and solid musicianship also marks this band a "stand-out." That, coupled with lyrical honesty, and beautiful melody structures, reminiscent of Bono/Buckley-esq music, are the core of this band.