Katie Herzig - The Waking Sleep

Katie Herzig - Grammy-nominated performing songwriter's distinctive (sm)art/pop songs do that rare balancing act: in-demand staples for the usual TV synch suspects (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Target commercial, etc.) while getting critical notice on tastemakers like KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic...new project, her first full-length since 2008's Apple Tree, has the faint scent of 80's Howard Jones/Nik Kershaw hook-laden synth pop // Release: The Waking Sleep (September 20, Downtown) // Sounds like: there's nary a ballad or acoustic guitar in earshot on this brightly spangled affair...some tracks take a side trip into orchestrated, cabaret-styled chamber pop but true to its title Waking Sleep is mostly an invigorating, welcome splash of cold water on a groggy morning...

Quote: "I have a really hard time putting a label on myself or the music I make because we're always changing and evolving into new things.  I suppose whatever I am creating is to genuinely express and move.... myself, hoping that other people will connect in a similar way." What we like: the way these addictive melodies flow effortlessly from the first track til last...Herzig's airy voice, reminiscent of The Weepies' Deb Talan, is perfectly matched to songs like the irresistibly hummable "Lost and Found" and the tender, pulsing title track, a song that sounds like an update on some lost, lamenting Irish folk classic...

Katie Herzig - "Make A Noise" (from the album The Waking Sleep)

Katie Herzig - The Waking Hours Sampler ("Lost & Found", "The Waking Sleep", "Way to the Future")