New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Nameless" by Sleepy Rye

By Bob Makin

originally published: 03/18/2022

“Nameless,” the single from Sleepy Rye’s debut EP, “A Bit of a Non-Person,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY KATIE MILLER 

After years of tending to other people’s music as recording engineer and session drummer at AGL Sounds studio in Cherry Hill, Ryan Hillsinger has stepped out from behind the board as singer-songwriter Sleepy Rye to release a debut EP, “A Bit Of A Non-Person.”

The EP’s single, "Nameless,” is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. 

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Nameless” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on March 18 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. 

Though Sleepy Rye started making music 15 years ago for crushes and school assignments, they said they do it now to “avoid the impossible weight of feelings.” As a soundtrack to those feelings, “A Bit Of A Non-Person” features hard-hitting drums, melodious bass lines, and crunchy guitars supporting moody, atmospheric vocals. The Sufjan Stevens-meets-Coheed and Cambria-like record is a must-listen for fans of Incubus, Minus the Bear, and Bayside.




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



“‘A Bit Of A Non-Person’ is an album about facing and naming the imbalances in one’s life,” Sleepy Rye said. 

About the choppy verses and fluid, floating hooks of the eerie-sounding “Nameless,” they added, “If you’ve ever come down from a trip and re-evaluated your life decisions, these lyrics should speak right to you.”

“A Bit Of A Non-Person” also features:

Find more about Sleepy Rye on Instagram. 

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected]. 




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



About the author:

New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.


EVENT PREVIEWS

(CARTERET, NJ) -- The Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center presents John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band on Friday, November 13, 2026 at 8:00pm. The legendary Rhode Island multi-platinum rock band began their career in 1973 and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the "Eddie & The Cruisers – Motion Picture Soundtrack".

Outpost in the Burbs Presents Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips in Benefit Concert for Toni's Kitchen on November 21st

(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs will present an extraordinary evening of music featuring singer-songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson with Zara Phillips on Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the First Congregational Church in Montclair. The special concert will serve as a fundraiser in support of Toni's Kitchen, the Montclair based nonprofit dedicated to combating food insecurity and related challenges in Essex County and beyond. Showtime is 8:00pm.
 

FEATURED EVENTS



Choir! Choir! Choir! Hallelujah”: An EPIC Anthems Sing-Along!

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
Outpost In The Burbs
40 S Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ


Always Jovi with special guest, Shot of Poison

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
46 Washington Ave, Carteret, NJ


Margarita Rovenskaya, piano

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center - Bösendorfer Recital Room
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Suzanne Vega - Flying with Angels

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 8:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theatre)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ


The Chris Pinnella Big Band Project

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:00pm
Grunin Center - Main Stage
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ


Shemekia Copeland with special guest JB Barnes Blues Band

Friday, November 06, 2026 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ