A bedroom recording project by Nate Braeuer and Darren Hoyt.

Somewhere between spaghetti westerns, heavy blues, and psych stoner riffs, fuzzy distortion and a pounding rhythm section lay the foundation for the swirling, psychedelic effects that carry through extended and unique song structures.

This is a space to share some of my own creations the creations of others. I hope your ears and souls are happy!

Keiley Joy is a multi-faceted songstress bringing through medicine music inspired by her experiences on the path of healing and digesting the experience of being human. Her music is comprised of deep emotion woven through intimate prose that invites audiences to not just listen but experience the prayer that is offered through her songs.

Slumberland began operations in 1989 as a collective effort consisting of members of DC area bands Velocity Girl, Big Jesus Trash Can/Whorl, Black Tambourine and Powderburns. We were inspired by such musical happenings as C86, early Creation, Postcard, K, Bus Stop, lower East Side noise, and also the renegade art aesthetics & methods of people like Cage, Burroughs and Duchamp. The explosion of punk had left behind a thriving network of 'zines, labels and distributors and we felt that there was room for our noise-loving, pop-obsessed aesthetic. While there were loads of US indie labels releasing a steady stream of 7"s, there wasn't much pop going on. Notable exceptions included Bus Stop, K and Picture Book, and we hoped to join that group and help chisel out some space for melodies amongst the noise.

Early releases from Velocity Girl, Whorl and Black Tambourine struck a note, and we found like-minded popsters getting in touch from all over the world. As we expanded the label roster and our own horizons, the goal was always to share great songs and interesting sounds from a range of styles. Our first burst of activity through the 1990s and early 2000s brought seminal records by legendary bands like Stereolab, Rocketship, The Ropers, Lorelei, The Aislers Set, Hood and Boyracer.

By the mid 2000s we were seeing a resurgence of interest in guitar pop and the start of the ongoing vinyl revival: the perfect environment for Slumberland! We launched into our latest phase of activity with as string of classic releases from The Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Crystal Stilts, Frankie Rose, Veronica Falls, Allo Darlin', Joanna Gruesome and so many more.

2025 is our thirty-sixth (!) year we are still at it, ploughing our own furrow and bringing you unique, genre-defining (and genre-defying!) releases from bands like The Laughing Chimes, Humdrum, The Cords, Autocamper, Jeanines, The Umbrellas, Neutrals, Artsick, Kids On A Crime Spree, Papercuts, Lightheaded, Tony Jay, Chime School, Lunchbox and many, many more. Indie fashions come and go but we're still thrilled by great songs and the new ways that pop can be rejuvenated to fit the times.

"Dan Zweben’s music has been heard all over the world through tv placements such as Smallville, The Real World, October Road, Men In Trees and in 2008, “Oregon” was the soundtrack to Obama’s Youth Ad which ran throughout the primary & during the Super Bowl!



Dan Zweben is a singer/songwriter and guitarist who answers the question, "Where is all the good, catchy pop music?" Zweben is both a rocker and a folk artist, playing up this contrast on his latest EP, In These Times. He allows his breezy voice to linger on lyrics that hint darkly at themes of loss, pain, and general human regret. The music behind those arresting words takes even more daring twists: as great as Zweben croons with a sugary harmony arrangement, prepare yourself to be surprised within moments by one of his vicious guitar riffs. 

In the feel good tune, "Safe With Me," the narrator confesses the long road, although still bumpy, will be better together. When Zweben sings, "We hit a rough patch/ now it's green grass/ rolling in the sun," it’s easy to believe in this hard earned love affair. The song is beautiful, its lyrics about a leap of faith in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You." With catchy hooks and melodies, it also has the feel of George Harrison's "Cloud Nine," a smart pop song that’s completely infectious. The standout track, however, is the heartbreaking, "You Don't Have To Love Me." A lesser singer would perhaps drown in sentimental ooze, but Zweben makes a very mature story about two adults who have realized their love is finally over. 

Dan Zweben's music has recently been featured on television shows such as, "October Road," "Smallville," "Ghost Whisperer," and MTV's "The Real World." His music video for "You Don't Have To Love Me" (starring Law and Order: SVU actress Michaela McManus) was selected for The Hollywood East Film Festival.

redpaperbag is following