A special performance of There The Open Spaces, the spellbinding first album from Sleeping States, to mark 10 years since its release.

Join us for an intimate serenade at The Cube on a woozy Wednesday evening, with support from Bristol DIY noisemakers Palomica. Later on downer pop dreamboat Oliver Wilde will be on the decks in the bar for a special vinyl set.

Limited tickets £8 + 50p bf available from Headfirst Bristol

All has been very quiet on the Sleeping States front for a few years. The musical project of Bristol-based Markland Starkie, last released music via his celebrated second album ‘In The Gardens of the North’ on Bella Union in 2009, with a limited-edition collaboration with artist Rhiannon Chaloner released in 2011. Markland has maintained an active presence with other projects in the music scene of his adopted home city of Bristol in the years since. But today, Markland is delighted to share some news...

It has now been ten years since the release of his stunning debut ‘There The Open Spaces’ and to mark the occasion Markland announces three special shows as Sleeping States celebrating its release. 

"Open Spaces represents a time in my life that was vastly productive from a creative perspective, and was always something I was quietly proud of, from its approach, to the DIY ethos of its release, to the recordings themselves. The record somehow managed to reach people way beyond the local music scene it was intended for - and seemed to connect more deeply than I ever expected, for which I'm still rather humbled by, if mildly bemused. So it feels fitting to mark the occasion in some way. The gigs will focus on tracks from the album - having spent years away from it I'm excited to revisit the songs, some of which were never performed live even the first time around."

"Deceptively complex Starkie's haunting musical arrangements may be, but Sleeping States is chiefly remarkable for his voice — at once fragile and strong, deep, warm and floaty-light, a voice that to be fully appreciated needs to be experienced with eyes closed." - The Quietus

Access: We regret that the Cube Microplex is not a wheelchair accessible venue. For requirements please email jo@wearethorny.com and we'll do all we can to facilitate - thanks.

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