Poway-based Sleepless Pacific releases first album

By Emily Sorensen

Another Poway band is set to follow in the footsteps of other successful local bands like Blink-182 with the release of its first album.

Sleepless Pacific, made up of Poway High School graduates James Bishop, Taylor Eldreth, Logan Nelson and Esteban Cervantes, and current Poway High School senior Robin Morris, is set to release its first album, “Breaking Point,” Friday, Jan. 11.

The alternative rock band, which has been together for two years, was originally created by Cervantes, along with Bishop, Eldreth and Morris in late 2010 to compete in Poway High School’s “Battle of the Bands.” When the school canceled the competition, the band stayed together in order to keep performing. Nelson joined a year later.

Though Bishop compared the band’s sound to Coldplay, Switchfoot and U2, he said none of those really fit the band’s unique sound. “Our sound doesn’t exactly compare to any current big rock group,” said Bishop.

The group’s upcoming debut album may have started as Bishop’s senior project, but has grown into something much bigger. “It’s been the biggest journey for us,” said Bishop. “We’ve been working on it for about a year.”

The album, which is entirely self-produced, is described by Bishop as having a theme, “like a piece of art.” The theme is the birth of a new life, which is also reflected in the album cover, which features a sprout. “It’s the sign of hope for a new life,” said Bishop. “Breaking Ground” features 12 original songs, written by the group.

Sleepless Pacific’s efforts to create their album were assisted by Bishop’s uncle, who is a well-known record producer in Los Angeles, who Bishop has interned for in the past. Thanks to his assistance, the band was able to record their album for free in a studio in LA. The album was engineered by Bishop on his home computer, where he spent 500 hours post-production working on the band’s debut. “It was a lot of work,” said Bishop, “but I’m happy with it.”

More than fame or fortune, Sleepless Pacific is focused on creating music and getting their name out. “Music is more than a form of entertainment for us,” said Bishop. “It’s a way to reach the community.” Though Sleepless Pacific isn’t planning any major tours at this time, the band is planning on a mini-tour in Arizona in a few months, with a couple more mini-tours in the summer. “We’re also thinking of starting our next album in the summer,” said Bishop.

To celebrate the release of “Breaking Ground,” Sleepless Pacific is holding an album release party at Point Loma Nazarene University, 3900 Lomaland Drive, where three members of the band attend, 7 - 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 in the ARC Center. This free event will feature the band performing the entire album live, as well as copies of their new album for sale.

“Breaking Ground” will be available for sale digitally on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon, and physical copies on CDBaby.

For more information on Sleepless Pacific, visit www.sleeplesspacific.com.