…this past Thursday, May 13, Sleepybird bassist Jason Dryden was found dead in his home. You can read the official news here. We’re very saddened here at The Buddha Den for this loss, as we’ve worked with Sleepybird on several occasions over the years. The remaining members of Sleepybird will host a memorial gathering for Dryden on Friday, May 21 at Shon Walter’s house, 157 Samuel St. in Dayton. Below is a special outtake given to us by the band from their last album, The Sadness Will Last Forever….

MP3: Sleepybird “World”

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…after an interminable wait and several band member changes, Dayton’s lovable psych/folk troubadours Sleepybird are releasing their third album, The Sadness Will Last Forever, on Saturday night at South Park Tavern. While the band recently parted ways with founding member keyboardist Jaime Legato and his wife, viola player Lisa Earl, the remaining sextet carry on the good work of the album, which is certain to perk up ears near and far. Fueled by the songwriting of Nick Tertel, the band’s arrangements are incredibly focused and inspired. Within the span of its eight tracks running just over 45 minutes, the disc traces an unpredictable route through country drawls, symphonic flourishes, and droning synths. At the core, however, are incredibly emotive songs upon which every textural element hinges. On the track “Signal Surpassed”, Sleepybird ascend to some of their most ambitious heights and hit the mark with an anthemic flair. The band captures its characteristic melancholy on “Drunk Dialer”, “Weightless”, and the title track…

…For anyone that has witnessed the band’s live performances, Saturday evening is certain to be an epic event….

MP3: Sleepybird “Signals Surpassed”

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…although we usually do show announcements the day of, we thought it best to mention now since it’s advance tickets only. In conjunction with the closing of the Dali in Dayton exhibit, local purveyors of musical theatrics Sleepybird will team yet again with The Zoot Theatre Company to present a very special evening of music and theatre to benefit Justin King. It all goes down this Saturday, March 14 at Seven Timbers (32 Webster St). Advance tickets are $10. For ticket info, contact the band here…

…with the cold beginning to bear down on the Gem City, we gathered at Pearl yet again for another great Thursday show. Opening the evening, the sprawling sonic landscape that is Sleepybird offered up a an uplifting set of hypnotic tunes. From the dramatic entrance of the marching drum to the soaring, anthemic surges, Sleepybird demonstrated yet again why they are one of the finest, most unique, outfits currently going in Dayton…

…next up we had the colorfully costumed Everthus the Deadbeats from Indianapolis. With their set drawing largely from their incredible new album, John Kill and the Microscopic Lullaby, the psychedelic swagger of ETD held the crowds attention throughout. With bounding synths and searing guitar work, the subtle, demanding grooves of the rhythm section provided unending support for the group’s freak-pop melodies. With any luck, the band will soon find receptive ears throughout the land…

…rounding out the evening, the always-impeccable Toads and Mice served up yet another rousing set of cathartic exuberance. Although we’ve covered this band at length over the last year, Toads and Mice solidly remain at the pinnacle of the Dayton scene. With a tour planned for next month, we can only hope that the band are successful in exporting what has emerged as one of the most engaging sounds in town…

For more photos from the evening, go here. Black and white photos of Toads and Mice by Marla Bremer.

…we’ve got another great show for you tonight at Pearl that you simply cannot afford to miss. On tap we have two of Dayton’s finest in Toads and Mice and Sleepybird, both of whom are poised to issue new releases in the next month. Along for the ride are Indianapolis indie/freak sensations, Everthus the Deadbeats, who are currently out on their Halloween Vision Quest tour in support of their incredible album, John Kill and the Microscopic Lullaby. Head and down and we’ll see you there….

…as the sweltering heat gives way to a rainy day in the Gem City, there’s a couple of good shows for those willing to risk getting wet….

…over at the Dayton Dirt Collective tonight you’ve got an extremely rare opportunity to catch a Dayton original as Drexel will be performing with some kind of puppet action. Also on the bill are The Bible Beaters, Akillis Green, and The Twitches…

…if you’re feeling a little more relaxed tonight, head over to Therapy Cafe to check out the hypnotic sounds of Sleepybird. With the release of their third album slated for mid-October, this may be one of the last chances to catch them before the new hits the streets…

…if yr heading out this evening, you’ve got all kinds of options to quell yr rock n’ roll thirst…

…if yr not afraid to drive a bit and seem inclined to do something good, the 2nd Annual Darfur Benefit is taking place all day out at the Janice Ward Center in Clayton. Although Grizzzzy Bear seems to have left the bill, you’ve still got some great music from Stump, Toads and Mice, Lvngs, Stone the Mayor Sheriff, and more…

…over at the Dayton Dirt Collective, you can dig into some punk and garage via offerings from Thee Pistol Whips, The Vectors, Best Friends, and Your Nasty Neighbors…

..if yr musical needs veer toward the ballistic this evening, head over to Canal Street Tavern and dig the unrelenting fury of the rarely-seen Murder Your Darlings and Accidently On Purpose…

…if yr looking for something a little more relaxed, head over to the Trolley Stop and check out an evening of Sleepybird, who are currently wrapping up work on their third album….

…thanks to the tireless efforts of The Bootleg Collective, you can now grab a pair of recent live recordings from Toads and Mice. One set is from their recent appearance for The Buddha Den Presents at Canal Street Tavern, while the other is from a show at Gilly’s with Sleepybird. Both sets sound great and, given the identical set lists, serve as an interesting study of the band’s incredible discipline in the live setting. With a split between new material and tracks from their debut disc, it’s interesting to witness this band as they move forward into uncharted waters. You can grab those for free HERE…

…for once we have a couple of good options for you on a Friday night. Check it out…

…we’ve got a live one over at the Dayton Dirt Collective tonight. The Goody Two Shoes have been hitting a stride lately and are headlining the bill this evening that also includes noise-poppers The Gluons, the garage-psyche of Scott Deadelus, and the provocative, yet elusive, Revampire…

…over at Gilly’s, Sleepybird will join forces with The Zoot Theatre Company to present The Flight of Wigglebird. Also on the bill is Toads and Mice. Should be an interesting evening. Make yr plans, chart a course, and head on out…

…on our third attempt to showcase the embarrassing riches found buried within the Dayton music scene, we were very pleased to host Sleepybird in the cozy environs of South Park Tavern. While the octet had its issues navigating the small space, once every member found its space the band just rolled along. During the shorter first set, the band eased into the evening with several tracks off their upcoming third album, as well as older material. The set was closed out by an incredible virtuoso viola solo by the incredibly talented Lisa Garr. Upon returning for their second set, drummer Shon Walters marched through the club with a bass drum, only to be joined by guitarist/vocalist Nick Tertel and trombonist Dustin Malone on a meander back to the stage…

…From their plaintive ensemble singalongs to their symphonic arrangements, Sleepybird’s songs can get at the listener in so many ways. With a distinctive midwestern flavor, their humble yet elegant songs are presented with an intensity and joy for the music. Sleepybird seem poised to transcend with the release of their upcoming album, The Sadness Will Last Forever…

For more photos from the night, go here.