Sleep Waker - Interview

In this new occasion we have the great opportunity to interview the Djent/ Metalcore/Hardcore band Sleep Waker from USA, here we will let you their FACEBOOK PAGE to give them a like and follow them.We have nothing more to say, so enjoy this interview!

1.Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or came out just like that?  

I had the idea for the name right after my last band broke up. I didn't have plans to start a new band yet, but it was more of a name I stumbled into on a whim. I remember thinking that Sleep Walker would be a cool name for the demo I had laying around (now Life//Wasted) and googled that name to see how many other bands had that it, and through some sort of weird train of thought, decided that taking out the L would make an awesome name. Hence Sleep Waker.

2.Why did you want to play this genre?  

I've been really into bands that were on the darker side, Yüth Forever, Barrier, Currents, Loathe, and thought the way they combined the dark lyrics with aggressive guitar was very well done, so I figured why not try to write something with more of a hardcore influence to it, and Sleep Waker was born. I also wear toms, so obviously the djent influence has to be there.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?  

I knew Hunter (vocalist) the longest out of anyone in the band. We go way back to my first few bands in 7th grade when we were both little scene kids and have been musical friends ever since. Any project I'm in, I try to get Hunter involved. Then I met Morgan (guitarist) at a Rock Camp I joined with a friend one summer. We jammed a little here and there after the camp but never something serious, until she asked me to join John Killed Courtney, a project her and a friend of ours was working on for a while. We played a few local shows together and recorded and EP. It was fun, but we broke up in the end and slowly transitioned into Sleep Waker. Noah (bassist) and I met at our college's get-to-know-everyone day when I heard him say he used to played bass for a band in Detroit. That's when I yelled at him across the room and told him to play bass for Sleep Waker. Since then, I've given him a black eye at a My Ticket Home show, and met his parents. So I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious.

4. Each band member favourite band?  

This is the hardest question on here haha. I don't think we can easily give one right now. I've been jamming a ton of Citizen, Tilian Pearson, and Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza lately, but when it comes to favorite band, I guess I'd have to say Invent/Animate. They're one of those bands where every song I'm blown away by. Right now, Luna is constantly on repeat. Noah's favorite bands would have to be The Smith's and Death Grips, Morgan’s are Counterparts, Limp Bizkit, and Sworn In, and Hunters choices are I the Mighty and Enterprise Earth. Sorry we couldn’t narrow it down to one! Too many good bands out there.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?  

For me it's definitely just the fun I have on stage. I used to play in a Beatles cover band with my dad, uncle, and their friend, and it was a great experience, but it didn't have the energy that hardcore music has. I'm definitely a louder drummer, and I really get to express a lot of emotion on stage when I play these songs. While I want to explore more styles in this band, I think you can always count on Sleep Waker to be loud and heavy when we need to be.

6. Where was your last gig?  

Our last gig was at Park Theater in Holland. It was an amazing show with all of our local friends. We had a great time, amazing turnout, and the crowd had a great reaction to us.

7. Where would you like to act?  

I've played a few shows at the Intersection in a different band. That's always such a fun venue to play, and they usually get some really good shows with great turn outs. I hope sometime soon we can play there, also the Pyramid Scheme would be an amazing place to play.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?  

My dream feature would be either Ben English from Invent/Animate or Brian Wille of Currents. I’m a huge fan of their vocals.

9. Whom not?  

Not to call anyone out, but Donte Daniels from Dreamer and Mitch Quintanilla from Drifter. Forget those guys.  But actually, we love them. Really cool guys.

10. Any of you has ever suffered from stage fright? Any tip for beginners on how to beat that?  

I remember as a little kid I was terrified of performing on a stage, but my first show that went away completely. I would probably say don't let anyone else's experiences on stage influence how you feel about performing. Just go on and have fun. It's different for everyone. I know Noah’s such a fun guy on stage, and Hunter has been getting really good at interacting with the crowd, Morgan still gets nervous, but she always kills it on stage. All I know is I absolutely love being on stage. If I could play a day long show I would be the happiest musician alive.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?  

Being a drummer mainly I have to say Periphery and Structures, but as a guitarist, definitely Barrier, Like Moths To Flames, and Currents. Those styles are usually what get me into a good writing mood for Sleep Waker.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?  

We haven't had too many weird requests, but someone asked me for my splash cymbal once. I paid maybe $20 for it at a local guitar center and I don't think there's anything special with it, but I guess to him it sounded amazing.

13. What do you think of your fans?  

For being a small band just starting out, we're very happy to have a close relationship with most of our fans, and even a lot of the other local bands around help support us which is really nice. The local scene in Grand Rapids has been very supportive of each other and we're very happy to be a part of it.

14. What do you think of our site?

I like it! It's run very well, and I really appreciate you guys asking me for an interview and sharing Life//Wasted.

15. Something to add?  

Check out the single we just released, and be sure to keep an eye out for some bigger things from us in the future! We have a lot planned and in the works already. Also, support local music, buy merch, buy CD’s and come to shows! Have a happy new year!