Here are some pictures I took at Sleepercar’s NYC debut at the Mercury Lounge on June 11th. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out Matt’s interview with Jim Ward. And as always, be sure to check out my Flickr for more pictures.
Check out more pictures after the jump.
Photo by Linda Wildemann
“It will be my band forever,” Sleepercar leader Jim Ward said in between sips of soda water at NYC’s The Library bar. It may be a surprise to some but Ward’s “new band” leaves the post-punk aggressiveness of his other bands At The Drive-In and Sparta behind for a more stripped down, alt country-esque roll.
I say “new band” because Sleepercar was conceived during the last days of ATDI. He let his idea of what the band should be grow while he forged on with Sparta, releasing three albums and touring the world for the last seven years.
With Sparta currently on hiatus and label-less, Ward decided it was time to go full-steam ahead with Sleepercar for the year. Recently, the band released their excellent, debut full-length West Texas (Doghouse).
People will continue to ask the usual questions. “Will you do an At The Drive-In reunion?” “Is Sparta breaking up?” It doesn’t seem to phase Ward. He’ll continue to hop in the van and dream of collaborations with Ministry’s Al Jourgensen.
A lot of people think Sleepercar is your new band but it’s been your project for a couple of years. Why was it on the backburner for so long?
Jim: At the time, I had been figuring out how to do this. Initially, I was just going to start a country band. I didn’t want to mimic what I liked. I wanted to infuse what I am and how I write. It took me six years to learn how to sing the way I wanted to. It has to be a slow progression. It’s like learning how to play an instrument.
Read more after the jump.
Sleepercar, which is Jim Ward’s (At The Drive In/Sparta) new band, is streaming their debut West Texas (Doghouse) on Myspace. Unlike his previous projects, Sleepercar has more of an alt-country feel to it. Check it out here!
Copyright © 2008 Late Night Wallflower
graphics by lauren at blackandredeye | layout/coding by bill
