ARTIST: Sleepthief
TITLE: The Dawnseeker
LABEL: Neurodisc Records
GENRE: New Age
BITRATE: 210kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 1h 00min total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-06-27
RIP DATE: 2006-07-05
TRACK LIST
1. Eurydice (Ft. Jody Quine) 4:47
2. Desire Of Ages (Ft. Harland) 6:49
3. You Did A Good Thing (Ft. 4:26
Nicola Hitchcock)
4. Just Say It (Ft. Kyoko 4:59
Baertsoen)
5. The Chauffeur (Ft. Kirsty 4:53
Hawkshaw)
6. Tenuous (Ft. Jody Quine) 4:07
7. Sublunar (Sweet Angel) (Ft. 4:54
Kristy Thirsk)
8. Nightjar (Ft. Caroline 3:31
Lavelle)
9. Fire From Heaven (Ft. Roberta 4:11
Carter Harrison)
10.The Metro (Ft. Jerri Eckert) 4:35
11.Kiss To Savor (Ft. Jody Quine) 5:02
12.Afterthoughts (Ft. Lauren 3:47
Edman)
13.Entre Ciel Et Mer (Ft. 4:44
San.Drine)
RELEASE NOTES
Sleepthief works from an internal impulse to create music that is spiritual in
nature - evoking songs from mere ghostly memories and thoughts to full-fledged
compositions - delivering one awe-inspiring album. The Dawnseeker marks the
debut album from Sleepthief - aka Justin Elswick - as one of the most highly
anticipated releases in the world of electronica, with the enlisted help of a
few friends. The dream list of collaborators includes Kirsty Hawkshaw (B.T., DJ
Tiesto, Delerium, Pole Folder), Caroline Lavelle (Radiohead, Loreena McKennitt,
Massive Attack, B.T.), Harland (Ferry Corsten, Delerium, Human II Human), Kristy
Thirsk (Delerium, Rose Chronicles), Jody Quine (Balligomingo), Kyoko Baertsoen
(Lunascape), Nicola Hitchcock (Mandalay), Roberta Carter Harrison (Wild
Strawberries, ATB), san.drine, Jerry Eckert (Desert Wind), and Lauren Edman.
Justin Elswick may be an anomaly in the music industry - a full-time attorney
who has somehow found the tenacity and creative inspiration to create a lush and
innovative e-pop vocal album under the Sleepthief moniker. Cultivating his deep
love of epic, transcendent-style electronic / worldbeat / ethereal music and
collaborating with his wish-list of amazing vocalists, Justin has forged one of
the most breathtaking debut albums in recent memory. The expansive sound of the
Dawnseeker is the product of two years of production and countless hours of lost
sleep-and the end result is a compelling album that beckons to be heard.
Engineered and co-produced by Israel Curtis, the Dawnseeker is sure to garner
attention of fans of angelic vocals, sublime electronica and celestial
soundscapes alike. The music is rich and varied, ranging from the drum & bass
pulse of "The Chauffeur," an amazing cover of the Duran Duran classic hit, to
the Celtic-influenced melancholy of "Eurydice;" from the sweeping sorrow of
"Sublunar (Sweet Angel)" to the middle-eastern energy of "Desire of Ages." What
is certain is that Sleepthief has composed a moving and powerful debut album
that showcases the mystery and beauty of the female voice.
Originally from Southern California, Justin became obsessed with music at the
age of four when his parents bought him a Fisher Price record player for
Christmas. Although his parents were unable to afford piano lessons, Justin
would somehow always find a way to play his grandmother's old piano. His love of
music also translated into various DJ gigs during high school and college.
However, it was not until age 19 that Justin finally taught himself the
rudiments of music theory and songwriting. Although in love with music, Justin
also focused on his formal educational pursuits. After obtaining his B.A. degree
in History, Justin moved to Dublin, Ireland where he studied for and was awarded
a Masters of Philosophy from the University of Dublin, Trinity College. Upon
returning to the United States, Justin attended the J. Reuben Clark law school
at Brigham Young University.
Since graduating from law school, Justin has worked as an attorney at the Provo,
Utah law firm, Ascione, Heideman & McKay, LLC. His practice areas include
intellectual property, commercial/business transactions, and appellate work. For
the last several years, Justin has also written numerous reviews as a music
critic for the popular website www.musicaldiscoveries.com. It is through his
work with www.musicaldiscoveries.com that Justin became acquainted with many of
the esteemed vocalists who appear on The Dawnseeker.
After writing several songs and with co-producer Israel Curtis, Justin had plans
on using one vocalist to complete his album. Fortunately this was not to be the
case for The Dawnseeker as it now had a life of its own. Through his contacts
with Musical Discoveries Justin synced up with each artist - amassing his 'dream
list' of vocalists he had hoped would be interested in working with him on the
Sleepthief project. What started as a day-dream fantasy has slowly morphed into
an opus of an album with a literal who's who in the world of electronica's
leading ladies. The mixing of the album yielded surprises around every corner
with each new vocalist involved - every song cultivating its own essence.
From the first few tracks to completion - Justin's focus has been on emotive,
dream-laden music that enlightens the senses. His songs tend to use a lot of
minor chords giving a slight melancholy feel but convey a wide and epic
resonance that makes you want to cry and be joyful at the same time. "I love
music that creates the inexpressible feeling of intense longing" Justin said and
has delivered with such songs as "Eurydice" and "Sublunar."
Songs were built up only to be stripped bare. What started as instrumental only
songs began to breathe new life with the addition of vocals. Each vocalist had
varying degrees of involvement with their songs - from Lauren Edman & Caroline
Lavelle both contributing writing and singing duties - to "Desire of Ages"
written by Israel that fit so well it had to be included, with Harland's lyrics
and melody as the finishing touches. Justin worked very closely with each
contributing artist, speaking in depth about his feelings behind the music
resulting in something that is heartfelt with conviction.
While there will certainly be comparisons drawn to other female fronted
electronica music, Justin does acknowledge his predecessors and establishes his
own unique sound on his journey of self discovery. Sleepthief has created his
own niche and unique sound - from the expansive and exotic to Celtic flavor;
from jazz & trip hop to full-on drum & bass - he's designed his masterpiece
based on how he feels. People will like the music or not based on its merits. If
fans of Delerium and Balligomingo like his music, great! The only thing certain
is that Justin is a modern day Renaissance man with an impressive body of work
wrapped in the Sleepthief package which speaks for itself.