Dillon Warnek’s new album – As The Neighbors Tried To Sleep stakes its claim alongside the giants who shaped his sound – Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, & Billy Joel. The influence of these legends glimmers throughout this lyrically rich collection, but to suggest the instrumentation plays second fiddle would be a disservice.
In the album’s first single, “Other People’s Money,” Dillon indulges in a vivid tale of living like the elite. From a bougie department store spree to an appearance at the ballet – where the valet, dancers, & janitors all receive generous tips – the fantasy unfolds with lavish dinners of steak, lobster, and champagne. The scene is over-the-top, yet Dillon’s infectious storytelling buckles you in, keeping you along for the ride – and straight over the edge.
Recorded at the Bomb Shelter/produced by Drew Carroll the record captures the magic of Warnek’s creative hours – late nights.. before he heads to his day job in construction. Warnek describes these sessions as “fruitless, miserable, exhausting, disheartening, & dangerous,” yet he perseveres, chasing rare moments of brilliance. An ideal fusion of sound – raw & righteous. Unpolished and unapologetic. As The Neighbors Tried To Sleep is a spark lurking in the underground, ready to ignite. As the opening line suggests “There’s enough dynamite in my pocket/To blow you all through the roof..”
“I like things that sizzle,” Warneck says. “Songs that make the room turn their heads, still hissing hot.” This album delivers exactly that.
Endorsed by Nashville’s musical power couple @missmargoprice & @jivey, Warnek is emerging as one of Music City’s newest songwriters. Price co-wrote “Bluebird” with Warnek and Ivey and lends her voice to “Speeding Bullet Out of Georgia,” a clever, erudite piano ballad about escape and resilience.
Onstage, Warnek holds court at his keyboard, mixing wry anecdotes in with his subversive lyricism. Some say there are no good piano men anymore – but they just haven’t seen him perform.
– @meanwhile_in_music
