Epic Soundtracks is not a record label (that's Epic Soundtrax); he's a talented rock n' roll journeyman who has been a working musician since the late '70's when he was a mere child. Recently he has released albums under his own name, er well, his stage name. He's really named Paul Godley but all his friends call him Epic.

Epic formed Swell Maps with his brother Nikki Sudden when he was twelve years old. He has also performed with the Jacobites, These Immortal Souls, Crime & the City Solution, and Red Crayola. He has also done sessions with Sonic Youth, Pere Ubu, Robert Wyatt, Mike Watt, etc., etc...

Rise Above, Epic's first album, was a love fest of famous underground American rock scenesters (J. Mascis, Sonic Youth). Spin magazine called it one of the "10 Best Albums of the Year". It was also a suprise hit in France, where it was included in many end of the year polls. Billboard called the album "a gem out of left field... in the league with the best of Alex Chilton," and Cake Magazine went so far as to describe the album as music "like the Carpenters for junkies and pillheads."

Sleeping Star was recorded in England at Chiswick Reach Studio in January. Epic chose the studio for its archaic recording console that used old style valve equipment (some of it originally used by the Beatles). Twenty-three songs were recorded with twelve ultimately chosen for Sleeping Star. Hopefully in the future, Bar/None will be releasing some of the outtakes, including a slow, haunting version of The Beatles' "I'll Be Back."

The album features some of Epic's English friends including Henry Olsen of Primal Scream who did the string arrangements and Will Pepper (Thee Hypnotics) played an inspired first take guitar solo on "Emily May", and some of the bass. Epic handles all of the drums, piano and vocals (lead and harmony), some bass and most guitar. The soulful female backing vocals are provided by Asyam Kael.

Since the completion of Sleeping Star, Epic has written many new songs, some in collaboration with Evan Dando of the Lemonheads. There are plans for an Evan Dando / Epic Soundtracks East Coast tour in November, with both musicians performing solo.

Epic won't tell us why his new album is called Sleeping Star. Is it a reference to the nocturnal flavor of the album or perhaps a new kind of drug? Let the listener imbibe.

Be sure to also check out Epic's new release, Change My Life.