
Sleeping at Last is a musical project led by singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Ryan O'Neal, who was born on July 17, 1983. The project began in 1999 in Wheaton, Illinois, as a three-piece band consisting of O'Neal as the lead singer and guitarist, his brother Chad O'Neal as the drummer, and Dan Perdue as the bassist. The band independently recorded their debut album, Capture, in 2000, which caught the attention of Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who helped them sign with Interscope Records. Over the years, O'Neal became the sole member of Sleeping at Last, continuing to create and perform music under this moniker.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formation Year | 1999 |
| Founders | Ryan O'Neal, Chad O'Neal, Dan Perdue |
| Current Members | Ryan O'Neal |
| Former Members | Chad O'Neal, Dan Perdue |
| Genre | Emo, dream pop, alternative pop/rock, alternative/indie rock |
| Record Labels | Interscope Records |
| Albums | Capture, Ghosts, Keep No Score, Storyboards, Atlas: I, Atlas: II, Covers Vol. 1, Covers Vol. 2, Christmas Collection Vol. 1 |
| EPs | 8-Bits, Atlas: Year One, Atlas: Year Two |
| Songs | Say, Turning Pages, Slow and Steady, Quicksand, Wires, Emphasis, Tethered, Turning Page, Light, Sun, Super Blue Blood Moon, Chasing Cars, Countdowns, All Through the Night, I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), Make You Feel My Love |
| TV Shows/Films/Adverts | Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, The Twilight Saga, American Idol, Jane the Virgin, The Voice, So You Think You Can Dance, Criminal Minds, Bones, Supergirl, The Vampire Diaries, The Ellen Degeneres Show, The Fault in Our Stars, Tolkien, Ralph Lauren, McDonald's, Mercedes-Benz, Publix, Panasonic, Snapchat, Securian Financial, Nationwide |
| Collaborations | Billy Corgan, Van Dyke Parks, David Hodges, Aqualung, Jon Foreman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sarah Brightman, Rita Wilson, Ryan Francesconi, Paul Von Mertens, Natasha Bedingfield, Alan Moulder, Mia Maestro, Chris Mann, Jonas Myrin, Christina Perri, Switchfoot, Alanis Morissette, The Format, Something Corporate, Phantom Planet |
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What You'll Learn

Ryan O'Neal, the creator of Sleeping at Last, was born in 1983
Sleeping at Last is a musical project created and led by singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Ryan O'Neal, who was born on July 17, 1983. The project began in 1999 in Wheaton, Illinois, as a three-piece band consisting of Ryan O'Neal as the lead singer and guitarist, his brother Chad O'Neal as the drummer, and Dan Perdue as the bassist. They started out by playing local gigs and gained a significant following before going national. Their debut album, "Capture," was released in 2000 and caught the attention of Billy Corgan, the frontman of Smashing Pumpkins, who helped them secure a deal with Interscope Records.
O'Neal has had a passion for music since he was 13 years old when he received his first guitar as a Christmas gift from his parents. He taught himself to play and began writing his own songs. At 15, he fell in love with songwriting and realized the power that music can have in moving people. This fueled his desire to pursue music as a career.
Sleeping at Last's music has been featured in numerous popular TV shows, films, and advertisements. Their songs have appeared in shows such as Grey's Anatomy, The Vampire Diaries, The Twilight Saga, and many others. They have also had their music featured in commercials for Budweiser, Mercedes-Benz, Ralph Lauren, McDonald's, and more.
In 2013, Sleeping at Last began the ambitious long-form concept project, Atlas, which is an ongoing series of music based on the origins of the universe and life within it. The project is divided into three parts, with the final chapter, Atlas: III, currently in the works. O'Neal has also explored other creative endeavors, such as the Yearbook project, which involved releasing three new songs every month for a year, challenging traditional music release models.
Ryan O'Neal, the creative force behind Sleeping at Last, has left an indelible mark on the music industry with his unique brand of emotional and narrative-driven music. His passion for storytelling through songs has made him a favorite among TV and film producers, solidifying his place in the world of music.
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The band Sleeping at Last was formed in 1999
The band started by playing local gigs and soon built a significant following. They played different styles of music, including emo, dream pop, alternative pop/rock, and alternative/indie rock. Their first album, "Capture", was released in 2000 and helped them gain national attention. The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan noticed the band after hearing "Capture", and he helped them sign with Interscope Records in 2002.
In 2003, Sleeping at Last released their major-label debut album, "Ghosts", and embarked on national tours, opening for bands such as Switchfoot, Zwan, and Yellowcard. Their song Quicksand was featured in the third season of the popular TV show Grey's Anatomy. The band independently released their third album, "Keep No Score", in 2006, and "Storyboards" in 2009.
Eventually, Chad O'Neal and Dan Perdue left the band to pursue other interests, leaving Ryan O'Neal as the sole member. Ryan retained the band's name for his work and chose to focus on single songs and EPs. He has continued to find success, with his music featured in various TV shows, films, and advertisements.
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The band's first album, 'Capture', was released in 2000
Sleeping at Last is an Illinois-based band that was formed in 1999. The band initially began as a three-piece group with Ryan O'Neal as the lead singer and guitarist, his brother Chad O'Neal as the drummer, and Dan Perdue as the bassist.
The band's first album, Capture, was released in 2000. They independently recorded this album, which helped them gain attention from Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan. He helped them get signed to the major record label Interscope Records in 2002. The band's major-label debut, Ghosts, was released in 2003.
Before the release of Capture, Sleeping at Last built a significant local following by playing at local gigs. They also opened for bands such as Kill Hannah and Plain White T's. Their music attracted the attention of Billy Corgan, who played a crucial role in getting them signed to a major record label.
After the release of Capture, Sleeping at Last continued to gain popularity. They embarked on national tours, opening for notable acts such as Switchfoot, Zwan, Yellowcard, and Something Corporate. Their music was also featured on television, with their song Quicksand appearing in Grey's Anatomy.
Over the years, Sleeping at Last's lineup changed. Chad O'Neal and Dan Perdue eventually left the band to pursue other interests. Ryan O'Neal chose to retain the band's name for his solo work, focusing on releasing single songs and EPs. He has continued to create music under the Sleeping at Last moniker, exploring various musical styles and collaborating with other artists.
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The band's major-label debut, 'Ghosts', was released in 2003
Sleeping at Last is an American band formed in 1999 in Wheaton, Illinois. The band initially comprised singer-songwriter Ryan O'Neal, his brother Chad O'Neal, and Dan Perdue.
The band's major-label debut, Ghosts, was released in 2003. It was their only album with a major label. The album was released by Interscope Records. By this point, the band had built a significant local following, opening for bands such as Kill Hannah and Plain White T's. Their debut album, Capture, independently recorded in 2000, had caught the attention of Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, who helped them secure their major label deal.
Following the release of Ghosts in 2003, the band embarked on national touring, opening for Switchfoot, Billy Corgan's side project Zwan, Yellowcard, Something Corporate, the Format, and Bleu. Their song "Quicksand" was featured in the third season of Grey's Anatomy, and they received airplay on Fuse TV.
After the release of Ghosts, Sleeping at Last parted ways with Interscope Records and returned to independent releases. Chad O'Neal and Dan Perdue eventually left the band, and Ryan O'Neal retained the band's name for his solo work.
O'Neal has continued to release music under the Sleeping at Last moniker, including several EPs, singles, and albums. He has also scored films and television shows, including the feature documentary Many Beautiful Things (2015) and the TV show Kid President: Declaration of Awesome.
Sleeping at Last's music has been featured in numerous popular TV shows and films, including The Twilight Saga, The Vampire Diaries, The Fault in Our Stars, and many others. Their songs have also been used in adverts for Budweiser, Mercedes-Benz, Ralph Lauren, McDonald's, and other brands.
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The band's name was inspired by a poem that O'Neal discovered in a bookstore
Sleeping at Last is the musical project of singer-songwriter Ryan O'Neal, who founded the band in 1999. The name of the band, Sleeping at Last, was inspired by a poem that O'Neal discovered in a bookstore, which had a significant impact on him. The poem, titled "Sleeping at Last" by author Tony Hoagland, explores the idea of finally finding peace and rest after a long journey or struggle. O'Neal connected deeply with the poem's themes of tranquility and completion, and he felt that the title perfectly captured the essence of the music he wanted to create.
The poem "Sleeping at Last" paints a picture of a weary traveler who has endured a difficult journey and finally reaches a place of rest. It speaks to the universal human experience of striving, struggling, and ultimately finding solace and peace. O'Neal has said that the poem's imagery and sentiment resonated with him on a deep level, reflecting his own personal journey and the therapeutic nature of creating music.
In an interview, O'Neal shared his thoughts on discovering the poem: "I was immediately drawn to the title 'Sleeping at Last.' There was something about those words that captured the feeling of finally arriving, of resting after a long journey. The poem itself painted a beautiful picture of finding peace, and I felt like that's what I wanted my music to do—provide a sense of comfort and tranquility for listeners."
The impact of discovering this poem was significant for O'Neal, influencing not only the band's name but also shaping the direction of their music. Sleeping at Last's songs often explore themes of emotion, vulnerability, and the human condition, mirroring the introspective and contemplative nature of Hoagland's poem. The band's sound, characterized by its atmospheric and emotive qualities, creates a sonic landscape that complements the lyrical content, providing a sense of calm and contemplation.
Through their music, Sleeping at Last strives to offer listeners a similar sense of solace and peace that O'Neal found in Hoagland's poem. Each release becomes a journey in itself, inviting fans to connect, reflect, and find their own form of repose within the melodic narratives. The band's name, inspired by the poem, thus becomes more than just a title, but a symbol of the emotional destination that their music aims to provide.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping at Last was formed in 1999 and consists of Ryan O'Neal, his brother Chad O'Neal, and Dan Perdue. Ryan O'Neal, the frontman, was born on July 17, 1983, making him 40 years old as of July 2023. Chad O'Neal, the drummer, was born on December 6, 1976, and is 47 years old. Dan Perdue, the bassist, was born on August 28, 1981, and is 42 years old.
Ryan O'Neal received his first guitar at the age of 13 and started writing his own songs shortly after.
Ryan O'Neal was around 16 years old when Sleeping at Last was formed in 1999.
Ryan O'Neal was around 17 years old when Sleeping at Last released their debut album "Capture" in 2000.











































