Sleeping States… a musical project undertaken by Markland Starkie, a Midlands-born artist who has so far spent the first half of his twenties living, working and studying in the Big Smoke. Having grown up learning various instruments and classical music theory, Markland became enamoured with the possibilities of noise in a musical context and began experimenting with noise in various bands, including noise-pop outfit Kaito (Mute). After moving to London, and feeling a subsequent sense of dislocation, Markland began a series of home recordings of short songs from the heart that were more minimal in both volume and arrangement, with vocals and melodies that took more of a central role. Sleeping States was born.

Armed with an electric guitar, found sounds, vocal samplers, and a strong DIY punk ethos developed from a love of labels like K and Slampt, Markland has amassed a wealth of material over the past couple of years and has developed a range of ideas within the context of 'the song'; from lovesick ballads (eg. his cover of Bacharach's Don't Make Me Over), to multi-layered choral drone pieces (eg. Counterpoint A/B) to a capella pop (eg. A Trip To NYC) to off-kilter indie rock (eg. I Wonder).

With more instruments than can feasibly be played by one person, Markland has employed a steady throng of contributors for his live performances, though the current core live line-up is completed with Craig Gell (Beacons) on guitar/radios/found sounds and Caroline Banks (Seafood, Caz Mechanic) on drums. The more recent addition of a drummer (Banks joined in 2006) has allowed Markland to rearrange older songs in a live setting and has also helped develop a more structured sound to new recordings. He has even started to reintroduce the more noisy elements of his pre-SS experimentations with, amongst other things, a feedback-drenched interpretation of Trumpet Calls (originally recorded for 'Distances Are Great' LP), which was recently awarded praise from avant-garde noise composer, Rhys Chatham (a live recording of this can be heard at www.myspace.com/tomerecords).