If last Thursday night was any indication of things to come, I think we can put the sophomore slump theory to bed when talking about one of Chicago's up and coming bands, Sleepout. A week before heading to Chicago's own Electrical Audio, the band previewed many of the tracks that will eventually become their next record, entitled Not Even Dust. The band is fresh off their debut album, I Was Your Shroud, released in late 2006. In terms of music, one year is generally considered a short period of time to be recording a follow-up, but having left with the good impressions after last Thursday's show, I'm eagerly awaiting a finished copy.

Sleepout consists of members from two other Chicago bands, Mt St Helens and Driftless Pony Club. It began as a collaboration of friends from various bands (including Chinup Chinup, The Ghost, and May or May Not), and has evolved into a project that has drawn sonic comparisons to bands like Teenage Fanclub, Spiritualized, and The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Here is a track I recorded at the Empty Bottle, "Three Towns", which will appear on their upcoming record, scheduled for release sometime in late February of 2008.