Atlas Themes, "Light" Now Shipping!

Dear friends, I've got a few things to tell you about today! Firstly...

"LIGHT" CD NOW SHIPPING!

As part of my Atlas CD Box-set/Subscription, the latest EP, "Light" is now shipping to all "Passport Plus" members! To purchase and/or learn more about this new CD box-set, visit here.

ATLAS THEMES ANNOUNCED!

Speaking of Atlas, today I am pleased to announce the remaining Atlas EP titles/themes for this year! Drum roll, please...

The next Atlas theme is SPACE.

SPACE will be a collection of songs inspired by our Solar System - a song for each planet. Through lots of incredibly fun research, I've been learning a lot about each planet, documenting their colors, characteristics, mythology and other details that will inspire and inform the tone and feel of each song. A couple examples of this: "Mercury", as I've learned is a planet made up of roughly 70% metallic, will be a song recorded only using metallic instruments... Bells, Brass, Cymbals, etc. "Venus," named after the roman god of love, will of course be a love song. And so on and so on. As you can see, these songs will not be a collection of Theremin Solos, but Sleeping At Last songs inspired by the incredibly beautiful information that exists about the galaxy we live in!

This theme will span over the next two Atlas EPs. The first of which, called "SPACE 1" (late Summer release) will feature 6 songs:

1. Sun 2. Mercury 3. Venus 4. Earth 5. Moon 6. Mars

Followed by its 5-song sibling EP, "SPACE 2" which continues and completes the Solar System inspired track-list:

1. Jupitor 2. Saturn 3. Uranus 4. Neptune ... and of course, a bonus-track entitled "Pluto."

Later this year, I'll pull the camera in a little closer with the release of LAND. A 4-song EP:

1. North 2. East 3. South 4. West

Concluding Atlas Year 2013, I will release OCEANS. Continuing and completing the oceanic theme that began on my previous project "Yearbook," this 5-song EP will be a collection of all instrumental songs inspired by the 5 oceans of Earth.

1. Pacific 2. Atlantic 3. Indian 4. Southern 5. Arctic

As you can now see, Atlas tells an overarching story about how all things came to be: the origins, emergence and experiences of life. This Atlas year only tells a small fraction of that story, but I'm keeping next year's Atlas schedule and themes under wraps for now! So fun to finally share with you the concept. I geek out on this stuff and I couldn't be having a better time writing songs within these concepts and ideas!

Thanks for reading!!

Love, Ryan - Sleeping At Last

p.s. here's a list of things i love right now... (brought to you by the letter "c") 1. candy crush saga (i didn't want to get sucked into this life-consuming ios game... but it happened. i see candy in my sleep) 2. celestron telescopes (my wife got me one for my bday and i LOVE it. so inspiring for my "space" songs!) 3. can i stream.it? (my go to app for finding out if that movie or tv show is on netflix, or wherever!)

"Light" EP on iTunes Now!

Hello, hello! Today is the official release day for "Light," the 2nd chapter in my Atlas EP series! Hooray!

DOWNLOAD "LIGHT" ON iTUNES NOW!

iTunes, AmazonMP3, GooglePlay ... or anywhere that sells digital music!

.... OR click here to subscribe to all of "Atlas" and receive 28+ songs throughout 2013, incl. exclusive art for each song, early downloads and more!

"LIGHT" RELEASE NOTES:

With the previous EP, "Darkness," I recommended listening to it for the first time with the lights off and your eyes closed, which is how I spent most of my time writing it. During the writing of "Light", I was fortunate enough to spend time soaking up inspiration in Hawaii, the brightest place I know. So this time 'round, I recommend listening to "Light" on the sunniest day you can find. Whether that means through headphones on your AM jog, or in your car with the windows rolled down, or laying on the grass in your favorite park, or in the sand on your favorite beach, or even indoors with the windows open and birds singing along. Find brightness anywhere, and that's where this EP should be heard.

I wrote "Darkness" and "Light" as two sides of the same record. Although released separately, they make up side-A and side-B of one full-length album. "Darkness" finishes with the song "Uneven Odds," a rather sad story, written from the perspective of someone who becomes the legal guardian of a very young boy who recently lost his parents. I wanted to write a song that tackles the incredibly difficult task of explaining the heaviness and purpose of darkness to an innocent child. The "Light" EP begins with the title track, which was written as the second half of that same story. The song is written from the perspective of the little boy from "Uneven Odds," who is now an adult and becoming a parent himself. He has been given the gift of being the first to introduce the brightness and beauty of light to his newborn.

This EP tackles as many interpretations of "light" as I could imagine: heaven, weightlessness, exposure, hope, new life, fireworks and even stories projected onto screens. I had an incredible time exploring the theme of light within these songs and am so privileged to finally share with you the results.

TRACKLIST:

1. Light 2. You Are Enough 3. Heirloom 4. The Projectionist 5. In The Embers

GUESTS:

ROSS CHRISTOPHER (played Violins and Cellos on "You Are Enough" and "The Projectionist") - Ross is pal of mine who came out with me on tour last fall. He's such a talented musician and as I was writing the strings for these two songs, I knew he'd be the guy to bring them to life! Couldn't be more pleased with how it all turned out! Ross is a wonderful songwriter and artist - listen to and support his lovely work here!

DAVID HODGES (played Piano on "Heirloom") - As this song was coming together, I kept hearing a particular kind of piano, played in a particular kind of way in my head, but I couldn't put my finger on what it was, when suddenly I realized, it was David playing on his upright piano that I was imagining. Truly one of the most gifted people I know and one of my very favorite humans on earth too! So thrilled with his gorgeous contribution to this song! Listen to and love David's latest music here!

SETH RICHARDSON (played Upright Bass on "Heirloom") - I've been wanting to have Seth as a guest for a while and finally the right song came along! Seth's been a friend for a couple years now and I've admired his talent for a while - so thankful he was kind enough to lend me his gifts for this toe-tappin' track! Listen to Seth's amazing band, Moonsville Collective here!

KERA-LYNNE NEWMAN (played Fiddles on "Heirloom") - This song was nearly finished when I decided "This song needs one more thing... fiddle." I called up Kera, (who also joined me last fall on tour!) and she kindly obliged and shortly after sent me back the most lovely fiddle tracks I've ever heard! I've never featured this style of violin in my songs, and Kera was such a perfect fit! Fiddle was truly the missing piece of this song. Listen to Kera's bands, Black Bonnet Ballyhoo & The Eskimo Girls.

DAN PERDUE (played Bass on "You Are Enough") - As always, when a song comes along that warrants more than just a simple bass line, I call up my best pal, Dan, literally my favorite bassist of all time. As usual, he killed it. Very few people I know are masters of their instrument, and Dan is certainly one of the finest on the earth.

Thank you SO much for listening and for being a part of Atlas! I hope you enjoy this collection of songs!! I'm already hard at work on the next Atlas EP! (I'll be announcing all of the remaining themes SOON... Can't wait to share!)

Much Love, Ryan - Sleeping At Last

Atlas: Year One Box Set

Atlas "Passport Plus" is HERE! The "Darkness" CD EP, along with the special Atlas Passport Plus Boxes have officially arrived and are now shipping!! Hooray! For those of you unaware, a "Passport Plus" is a 6-CD (28+ songs!) subscription to my new project, Atlas. 6 CD's will be mailed to you periodically throughout 2013, as each EP releases. Each EP will feature exclusive art prints by Geoff Benzing of each song in the project (28+ in total! Also featuring lyrics on the back of each card), along with high-quality CD jacket, full-color printed CD and a special linen-wrapped, gold-foil printed box to store each of the releases safely in!

Order here!

 Order here!

"Darkness" EP Out Now! + Kid President!

Hey guys! I am so pleased to inform you that "Darkness," the very 1st EP of Atlas is now available on iTunes, Amazon and beyond!!

So excited for you to finally hear it! This may be a bit silly, but I recommend listening to "Darkness" for the first time with the lights turned off and your eyes closed. I spent a great deal of time in that environment while writing and recording these songs, so that's how I recommend listening to 'em. But don't worry, these songs will still play with the lights on! ;)

DOWNLOAD THE "DARKNESS" EP NOW:

iTunes AmazonMP3 Google play

... Or subscribe to the entire Atlas Project:

Atlas Passport (Digital Subscription to all 6 EPs, feat. Exclusive Art, Early Downloads and more!) Atlas Passport+ (Digital and Physical 6-CD Subscription + Extras!)

A few release notes...

Tracklist:

1. Overture 2. Woodwork 3. I'll Keep You Safe 4. Bad Blood 5. Uneven Odds

"Darkness" Guests:

JEREMY LARSON (played and arranged Strings and Brass for "Uneven Odds") - Jeremy's one of the most talented folks I know. He also happens to be one of my favorite people! Honored to work with Jeremy again and couldn't be more thrilled with how beautifully his performances turned out! I should note that this is the very first song of mine featuring Brass instrumentation!

JASON TOTH (played Drums on "Overture") - Jason's been a friend of mine for well over a decade now and just over the last few years, I've had the privilege of touring and recording with him quite a bit! He's one of the most tasteful and gifted drummers out there and I just love working with him.

DAN PERDUE (played Bass on "Uneven Odds") - As this song was coming together, I knew right away that Dan's bass playing would pull the whole song together (much like "the dude"'s rug in the big lebowski). Always love working with Dan!

Like all things, Atlas begins with Darkness. The meanings behind the word "Darkness" are endless: beginnings, fear, blindness, the unknown, loss, even hope, and so much more. On this EP, I aimed to explore as much of Darkness as possible, both musically and lyrically. Though there are a lot of heavy and perhaps "dark" ideas being shared here (don't worry, there's hope in there too!), I truly had such a wonderful time writing these songs and telling these stories. I can't even begin to tell you how honored I am to have the opportunity to share them all with you.

I so hope you enjoy these songs! I'm already hard at work on the next Atlas EP, "Light."

Much Love, Ryan Sleeping At Last

PS... If you haven't already been introduced, meet the awesome that is Mr. Kid President. he’s amazing!! You may have seen him recently, as his latest video “Pep Talk” is spreading across the land like wildfire (nearing 3 Million Views as I type this!)! It just so happens that the fine folks at the Kid White House have my song “Households” (itunes) as the backdrop to this wonderful video! Couldn’t be more honored and thrilled to be a part! It’s such a wonderful and uplifting video, as are all of the Kid President videos.. so if you haven’t seen it, check. it. out! Tell your friends too… It’s pretty much guaranteed that whomever watches this will immediately have a better day.

Watch here.

New Project Announced: "Atlas"

Dear friends, I am so thrilled to announce my brand-new project...

ATLAS

Atlas is an ongoing series of EPs inspired by the origins, emergence and experiences of life.

Unlike my previous EP series, "Yearbook," Atlas has no end date in mind- it's an ongoing project that I have thematically mapped out over the next few years. (Read a more detailed description of the concept here!) Each year will feature a determined amount of songs/EPs. This first Atlas year, 2013, will feature 28+ brand-new songs, spanning over 6 EPs!

FIRST EP AVAILABLE NOW!

The first EP (5 songs) is called "Darkness" and is available now! Click the following retailer links to buy now: iTunes, Amazon MP3, Google play and just about anywhere else digital music is sold!

The second EP, "Light" is also available now as well! The remaining EPs will release periodically throughout 2013.

ATLAS SUBSCRIPTIONS

Listeners have a choice to either purchase the Atlas Digital EPs individually as they release or to subscribe to the first year of the project. These subscriptions are lovingly called "Passports." There are two Passport options available for Pre-Order now (featuring special Passport-Only perks!!):

PASSPORT is a One-Year Digital Subscription that includes:

•  28+ songs on 6 Digital EPs (released periodically throughout 2013) •  28+ exclusive paintings by Geoff Benzing (one for each song!) in the form of 6 Digital Booklets w/lyrics and liner notes. (Passport Exclusive!!) •  Early Downloads of each EP! (approx. 1-2 weeks before anyone else!) •  Friendly email reminder each time an EP is ready for Download

For folks that love physical, holdable things:

PASSPORT+ PLUS is a One-Year Physical (CD) and Digital Subscription that includes:

•  Digital "Passport" Subscription (includes ALL perks above!) •  28+ songs on 6 CD EPs (each CD shipped to you shortly after each EP's respective Digital release!) •  High-quality packaging for each EP, plus a Deluxe Box to house all 6 EPs/Art (Box ships w/ first EP!) •  28+ high-quality Art Cards feat. Geoff Benzing's exclusive paintings to add to Deluxe Box (lyrics printed on back of each Art Card!) •  "Passport+" Holder Special Perks (exclusive discounts, content and lots more!)

Holiday Shopping?? Atlas Passports make for a unique gift that will keep giving all year long!

... Click on the images above, or CLICK HERE TO ORDER NOW!

NEW SHIRT!

To celebrate the unveiling of Atlas, we have a brand-new T-Shirt in-stock/shipping now! Check it out here!

Thank you so much for reading, guys! I'm so excited about this project and can't wait to share all of these new songs with you!!!

Much Love, Ryan - Sleeping At Last

PS. HUGE thanks to my friends at Rule29 and Wonderkind Studios for their incredible work on the announcement video above!