It’s not that often you hear vocals that blend Amy Winehouse’s soul, Tami Neilson’s tears and Dusty Springfield’s passion, but listen to Sleepy Jean‘s Once Held My Heart and be enchanted (goosebumps alert at 1:55). It’s one of the standout tracks from her debut full-length Shoot Me In A Dream, following up on her first EP Idle Hands (2021).
Sleepy Jean is the moniker of Canadian singer-songwriter Katelynn Gatta (her friends say Katey). Not only does she have an amazing and versatile voice, she also knows how to create strong songs with relatable personal lyrics. There are eleven of them here, atmospheric, melancholic and cinematic – a combination of alt-country and space age pop with surf and spaghetti western influences – with a 60s feel. Wonderful.
Shoot Me in a Dream, largely produced by Dajaun Martineau, is out now digitally via Flying Colors Music. Featuring Sleepy Jean (vocals, acoustic guitar), Dan Serre (electric guitars, bass), Marshall Bureau (drums, percussion, vibraphone), Bryden Baird (horns), Benjamin Goerzen (cello, contrabass), Waylon Glintz (bass), Brian Barber (organ, synth) and Kelsey Gatta (background vocals).
Add to wantlist: Bandcamp