Sleepy Township
Encyclopedia
Sleepy Township was an indie pop
band which was formed in Perth
in 1994 as a side project by Guy Blackman (guitar, electric organ, vocals), Mia Schoen (ex-Molasses) (guitar, electric organ, vocals), and Paul Williams (drums, vocals). The band moved the following year to Melbourne
, Australia
, with Gorman replacing Williams. Alison Bolger (ex-Clag) joined the group on bass in 1998. The group released two full-length albums, Set Sail in 1998 and Deep Water in 2001, together with several EPs, for Australian indie label Chapter Music
among others. The group broke up in March 2002, although they reformed six months later for a single performance to release, All These Records, a compilation album, consisting of the band's singles and rarities. As Bolger was away overseas bass duties were performed by Mindy Mapp, (ex-Little Ugly Girls and Flesh Vs. Venom). The group reformed briefly in 2009 for two shows.
Since breaking up in 2002, all members have been active as writers and performers in other groups that either co-existed during Sleepy Township’s lifetime or were formed shortly after their demise. Blackman is a solo artist, a member of Minimum Chips
and runs the Chapter Music
record label. Bolger is a member of the trio, Panel of Judges
, and psych-rock quintet Beaches, while Gorman and Schoen perform as part of New Estate.
EPs
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
band which was formed in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
in 1994 as a side project by Guy Blackman (guitar, electric organ, vocals), Mia Schoen (ex-Molasses) (guitar, electric organ, vocals), and Paul Williams (drums, vocals). The band moved the following year to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, with Gorman replacing Williams. Alison Bolger (ex-Clag) joined the group on bass in 1998. The group released two full-length albums, Set Sail in 1998 and Deep Water in 2001, together with several EPs, for Australian indie label Chapter Music
Chapter Music
Chapter Music is one of Australia's longest-running independent record labels. It was founded by Guy Blackman in Perth in June 1992, after a few issues of a Syd Barrett inspired fanzine called Chapter 24, that Blackman started in October 1990, when he was seventeen...
among others. The group broke up in March 2002, although they reformed six months later for a single performance to release, All These Records, a compilation album, consisting of the band's singles and rarities. As Bolger was away overseas bass duties were performed by Mindy Mapp, (ex-Little Ugly Girls and Flesh Vs. Venom). The group reformed briefly in 2009 for two shows.
Since breaking up in 2002, all members have been active as writers and performers in other groups that either co-existed during Sleepy Township’s lifetime or were formed shortly after their demise. Blackman is a solo artist, a member of Minimum Chips
Minimum Chips
Minimum Chips are an Australian band formed in Brisbane in the mid-1990s. During their Brisbane years they supported many international acts including Stereolab, Bikini Kill and Pavement...
and runs the Chapter Music
Chapter Music
Chapter Music is one of Australia's longest-running independent record labels. It was founded by Guy Blackman in Perth in June 1992, after a few issues of a Syd Barrett inspired fanzine called Chapter 24, that Blackman started in October 1990, when he was seventeen...
record label. Bolger is a member of the trio, Panel of Judges
Panel of Judges
Panel of Judges is an indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. Dion Nania began the group in 1997 as a solo project, then added Alison Bolger, Michael Nichols and Paul Williams soon afterwards....
, and psych-rock quintet Beaches, while Gorman and Schoen perform as part of New Estate.
Members
- Guy Blackman - guitar, keyboards, vocals (1994–2002, 2009)
- Mia Schoen - guitar, keyboards, bass, vocals (1994–2002, 2009)
- Alison Bolger - bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals (1998–2002, 2009)
- Chris Gorman - drums, vocals (1995–2002)
- Paul Williams - drums (1994-5)
- Mindy Map - bass (2002)
Discography
Albums- Set Sail - Chapter MusicChapter MusicChapter Music is one of Australia's longest-running independent record labels. It was founded by Guy Blackman in Perth in June 1992, after a few issues of a Syd Barrett inspired fanzine called Chapter 24, that Blackman started in October 1990, when he was seventeen...
(CH24) (December 1998) - Deep Water - Library RecordsLibrary RecordsLibrary Records is an independent record label founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1998, and focusing mainly on indie pop. It is run by Bart Cummings from The Cat's Miaow.Artists who have released recordings on Library Records include:* Bart & Friends...
(Shhh15) (July 2001) - All These Records - Lost & Lonesome Recording Co.Lost & Lonesome Recording Co.Lost & Lonesome Recording Co. is an independent record label based in Melbourne, Australia. The label specialises in indie pop, and has released both recordings by local artists and local releases by overseas indie bands....
(compilation of singles and rarities) (16 September 2002)
EPs
- Sleepy Township/The CannanesThe CannanesThe Cannanes are a longstanding Australian indie pop band formed in Sydney in late 1984.-History:The original line-up of the band was Stephen O'Neil , Annabel Bleach , Michelle Cannane , Frances Gibson , and David Nichols...
split single - Chapter MusicChapter MusicChapter Music is one of Australia's longest-running independent record labels. It was founded by Guy Blackman in Perth in June 1992, after a few issues of a Syd Barrett inspired fanzine called Chapter 24, that Blackman started in October 1990, when he was seventeen...
/H Records (CH13) (October 1996) - Online - Chapter MusicChapter MusicChapter Music is one of Australia's longest-running independent record labels. It was founded by Guy Blackman in Perth in June 1992, after a few issues of a Syd Barrett inspired fanzine called Chapter 24, that Blackman started in October 1990, when he was seventeen...
(CH18) (June 1997) - Morning - Library RecordsLibrary RecordsLibrary Records is an independent record label founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1998, and focusing mainly on indie pop. It is run by Bart Cummings from The Cat's Miaow.Artists who have released recordings on Library Records include:* Bart & Friends...
(Shhh12) (2000) - Sleepy Township/Smiley - Chapter Music (CH30) (October 2000)
- Tragedy & Hope - Dutch Courage (2002)