ABOUT THE ARTISTS

THE SLEEPER PINS

The Sleeper Pins began as a duo in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Tyson Allison (vocals, guitar, lyrics) and Justin DeLeon (drums, percussion) wanted an outlet for some quiet, acoustic-based songs that lean on simplicity, atmosphere, and lyrics filled with introspection and imagery. Their debut album, titled "The Sleeper Pins," was recorded at Angel Beach Studios in Minneapolis and Three Fish Studios in Mankato, MN.  Many shows followed, and after awhile the band took a break.  After dabbling in other local bands, The Sleeper Pins resurfaced with new member and McKnight Music Fellowship recipient Aaron Kerr adding his unique style of cello playing to the group. They began performing live again as part of the successful Emperor Penguin Acoustic Showcase in Minneapolis/St. Paul.  The group was further rounded out by fourth member Steve Nord, a multi-instrumentalist adding piano, bass, and guitar to the mix.  With a challenging new batch of songs coupled with their more powerful full-on sound, The Sleeper Pins began recording sessions at Clear Stream Audio in Mendota Heights, MN and I.P.R. Studios in Minneapolis, MN.  Their follow up album, also released on Emperor Penguin Records, was titled "Keep It Coming Like A Miracle," and proved to be a substantial step forward in sound, depth, and musicianship thanks to tasteful production by Midwest Matadors and visionary mixing by local Minneapolis whiz kid Joe Johnson.  Final mastering touches were put on the album by Pete Lymon (Queens of the Stone Age/Beck/The Circle Jerks) at Infrasonic Sound in Los Angeles, CA. 

Recently, The Sleeper Pins have spread their wings by doing some regional touring while the plans are made for their forthcoming album, which will be titled "Slow Boat to China."  This album will include new member and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Crandall, and contain frontman Tyson Allison's most personal lyrics to date.  In the meantime, the members of The Sleeper Pins moonlight in other musical endeavors; most notably Swallows, Dissonant Creatures, and Heavy Pedal Cello. 

The Sleeper Pins are:

Tyson Allison-------vocals, lyrics, guitar, bass, piano, analog synth, percussion

Justin Deleon------drums, percussion, bells

Jeff Crandall-------bass, piano, guitar, backing vocals

Aaron Kerr---------cello

HEAVY PEDAL CELLO

A simple concept: take a cello and hook it up to a bunch of guitar effects pedals. Add adept musicians, quick decisions, and total improvisation and you have Heavy Pedal Cello. Aaron Kerr and Tyson Allison have collaborated in bands for almost 10 years. Their latest (and craziest!) project is based on improvisation; bringing the many varied influences of both musicians to the table to create a truly unique and surprising sound. The music of Heavy Pedal Cello is always created right on the spot. No performance or recording will ever be the same. No piece will ever be replayed. The two musicians never know what each other are going to do. Aaron plays cello, and Tyson manipulates knobs, effects, and adds minimal percussion. Through eye contact and a few cues they can communicate during each piece. No matter what happens, their music is always interesting, unpredictable, and inspired.  In 2012, their first release, "October" will be available!

 Heavy Pedal Cello

AARON KERR

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Aaron Kerr has been playing cello for 30 years. He is classically trained, earned a degree in music composition from Loyola University, and is a 2006 McKnight Composer Fellow.  He received a New Music grant from the American Composers Forum, and completed a residency in the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's CONNECT program.  While always able to play solo or with orchestras,  Aaron has enriched and developed his unique and atypical style by playing with songwriters and bands for over 10 years.

These groups currently include Swallows, The Sleeper Pins, Dissonant Creatures, Heavy Pedal Cello, and JaZzen.

"Although I’m influenced by great classical cellists like Pablo Casals and Lynn Harrell, I’m also influenced by great guitar players like Brian May and Trevor Rabin; great jazz musicians like Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, and Thelonius Monk; great bands like Soundgarden and Morphine.

"I like to think of cello as a primitive tool that you can bend to your wishes. It can be delicate or heavy. It can soar or be grounded. It can command or support. When you play cello, you can hold your own."

"When I play music, I want to connect with people. I want people to walk away feeling somehow changed by what I’ve done. I want to give them something. I feel that’s my job - in everything I do."

Aaron Kerr's first release, "Arco 71", was an amazing solo cello album of instrumental compositions that captured the attention of the McKnight Foundation, and earned Aaron recognition and a grant to continue to compose.  His second release, a joint effort between himself and Tyson Allison and Jeff Crandall of Swallows, was titled "Dissonant Creatures", and was featured on National Public Radio's program, "Science Friday".  This venture was so successful that Aaron decided to carry over the name Dissonant Creatures to a new group of improvisational musicians he formed to continue to collaborate with on his compositions.

Aaron Kerr is a true American talent and continues to surprise and impress with his work.