Angel Tapes Reissue Umarell, Debut EP from Sleeper's Bell

Today, Angel Tapes — the new imprint of Fire Talk Records — reissue Umarell, the hushed debut EP of Chicago folk-duo Sleeper’s Bell (lyricist/vocalist Blaine Teppemaand guitarist Evan Green). Across five brief but memorable songs — four original compositions and a sparse Richard Dobson cover — Sleeper's Bell creates a world of phone call confessions, early morning meditations, and big dead deer. A product of Chicago's reliable DIY scene, Umarell introduces a new midwestern force, armed with little more than her guitar, lap-steel, and journal.

Umarell is available on a limited run of lilac cassette tapes, marking the EP’s first-ever physical release. Alongside the EP, the tapes include a collection of unreleased b-sides and demos — “Corner,” “Bored (Demo),” “Hey Blue (Demo),” and “Swimming” — that are currently exclusively available on the tapes. In addition, Sleeper’s Bell present a video for EP standout, “Big Dead Deer,” recorded live at the beloved Chicago venue Schubas Tavern.

Watch Sleeper’s Bell “Big Dead Deer” Live Video

There’s some strange, unnameable beauty swimming beneath the surface in the music of Sleeper’s Bell, the Chicago-based folk duo of singer-songwriter Blaine Teppema and guitarist Evan Green.

A librarian by trade, Teppema has always harbored a deep love for reading; there were never entire books that made her feel new so much as there were sentences, even phrases or fragments, that felt like incantations. It’s this transfixing quality that Teppema aims to recreate in her own music. The songs she writes aren’t as much about anything as they are spells to ward off the regressive impulses of nostalgia. As a self-described “deeply sentimental person,” writing these songs is Teppema’s way of quelling growing pains.

In late 2021 — following the release of Umarell, her hushed debut EP — Teppema was approached by guitarist Evan Green. A friend-of-a-friend and Sleeper’s Bell fan, Green was already singing along to songs before the two ever sat down to play together. When they did, the sessions yielded a palpable understanding between them. Green filled in a space Teppema felt had been missing; he was able to incorporate intricate, melodic textures around her blunt and cutting prose. Through live performances and countless rehearsal sessions, the budding collaborative effort allowed old songs of Teppema’s to take full form, flourishing into what they were always supposed to be.

Since connecting, the two have been hard at work on their forthcoming debut album. Their new songs reflect the chemistry of recent Sleeper’s Bell sets, anchored by the trust between Teppema and Green.

Purchase Umarell EP

Umarell EP Tracklist

1. Big Dead Deer

2. Morning

3. Phone Call

4. New

5. Forever, For Always, For Certain

6. Corner *

7. Bored (Demo) *

8. Hey Blue (Demo) *

9. Swimming *

* Cassette Exclusive

Angel Tapes is the new Chicago-based imprint of Fire Talk Records. With an emphasis on emerging talent, Angel Tapes offers a platform for developing artists to release music in good faith. Find out more at angeltapes.bandcamp.com.