The Sleeping Years is the new project for singer-songwriter Dale Grundle.

Born in Coleraine, Northern Ireland to an Irish father and a Scottish mother, Dale started his first band Catchers while at school. Their first single ‘Cotton Dress’ came out on Setanta Records and became single of the week in Melody Maker. Their debut album ‘Mute’ was recorded with Mike Hedges in France. Dale went on to tour with Pulp, Edwyn Collins, The Divine Comedy, Dr. John and Oasis.

Catchers recorded their second album ‘Stooping to Fit’ with Nick Drake’s arranger Robert Kirby writing string and brass section parts for some of the songs.

Recently signed to Talitres Records in France, The Sleeping Years’ music has been featured on Huw Stephens’ BBC Radio 1 podcast, on Gideon Coe's BBC 6music show, in the Guardian writers’ playlist and on a cd sampler with Rolling Stone magazine. Dale has also been heavily played on French radio with each EP being championed by DJ Bernard Lenoir.

The Sleeping Years have released three EPs so far, ‘You and Me Against The World’, 'Setting fire to sleepy towns’ and 'clocks and clones'.

‘You and Me Against The World' was released in March 2007. 'Setting fire to sleepy towns' EP followed three months later and now the final EP of the trilogy, 'Clocks and Clones' has been released.

The Sleeping Years have just completed their debut album. Aside from Dale, the recordings feature Michelle So on cello and piano, Tom Page on drums. Ben Eshmade guests on French horn. 'We're becoming islands one by one' is scheduled for a release on Talitres Records on 17th March 2008.

PRESS:

"his voice breaks exquisitely between hope and despair in songs that the acoustic guitar was invented for" The Guardian

"a one-man show that owes his lilting metaphysical lyricism to the likes of Nick Drake, Elliot Smith and John Martyn. It's good to know that there are people like him out there" Dazed and Confused

"Just as Sufjan Stevens has been moved to celebrate the quirks and character of the United States, so Dale Grundle is devising his own charts, full of wonder, dread and reverie. Can't wait to see where he takes us next." Stuart Bailie (BBC Radio)

"Superb!" Gideon Coe (BBC 6Music)

"A very beautiful mini-album" Rolling Stone

"Absolutely gorgeous" Hot Press

"Engagingly mournful, melodic songcraft" Time Out