Descending, piano chords with a touch of reverb and a background reverse delay tone precede ethereal vocals in “sleepy” by body / negative. In the accompanying music video we see some old footage from a wedding, presumably that of songwriter Andy Schiaffino’s parents, and in the background there are hints of children laughing and an audio source that isn’t really connected to the visuals on hand. It’s like future and present exist in the song structured a little like a repeating loop. The song feels like experiencing a waking dream and Simon Scott’s (Slowdive) mastering of the track allows its various layers resonate and intermingle in a way that might happen if you got some old stock, used reel-to-reel tape and fed that found audio material as a sound source into a mix bringing together field recordings of a campfire and the elegantly delicate vocals and instrumentation. On the surface it’s a simple and spare composition but its layers and complexity of expression and emotional nuance convey a sense of melancholic loss and affection that eases in with a heaviness when in the end we learn that the wedded couple is no longer with us. The song, featuring contributions from Midwife, is a beautiful testament to the life of the couple without having to employ heavy-handed theatrics or melodrama to capture a depth of feeling that flows throughout the song. Watch the video for “sleepy” on YouTube and follow body / negative at the links below. The Everett LP was released digitially on December 8, 2023 via Track Number Records with vinyl available for pre-order and shipping in March, 2024.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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