We caught up with the brilliant and insightful SLEEP NATION a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

SLEEP NATION, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

September 29 of this year my alternative rock band, Sleep Nation, will be releasing our sophomore album, “And Then There Were 2…” The 20-song album was almost entirely created and crafted from just 2 individuals. We feel like that since becoming a 2-piece, we have produced so much more music. Joey and I get in the rehearsal room and just start creating new riffs, songs, and ideas. The creativity pours out of us.

Our 2nd full-length album title “And Then There Were 2…” is a tribute to the Genesis album titled “And Then There Were 3…” Genesis went through a very similar transition concerning band members. So we wanted to give salutations to our heroes while making our own mark in this upside-down reality known as the 2023 music business.

“And Then There Were 2…” is a quasi-concept album that, to my knowledge, has not been done before. The story goes that Joey and myself as Sleep Nation are recording this album. We write, record, and create this song called “SPACEman” which unfortunately conjures up an entity. The “SPACEman” possess the members of Sleep Nation to inject in his own wishes and desires. Sleep Nation is possessed during the album, and the entity known as “SPACEman” takes over the recording, writing, and production to incite his deifying electronic-rock opera.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up, I’ve always been a creative type. I used to draw Batman when I was in kindergarten when I should have been listening. I always wanted to be a cartoonist throughout elementary school, but my focus changed after turning 12 years old. My mother passed away after battling breast cancer for a little less than 2 years. I was what you considered a “momma’s boy.” We were very close. She made it a point to make sure I knew that I was her world. Unfortunately, the great bond was severed by the evil that cancer is. The pain that I had to carry around for essentially the rest of my life had to be dealt with. I didn’t know what to do or how to act. I will never forget the dread of having to go back to school a week after my mother’s passing. No one can prepare you for loss. I don’t believe it is something you can prepare yourself for. Nevertheless, I kept searching for something to deal with the pain that I was having to face daily.

Cue my love for music. I started to really take a deep dive in all things music. My aunt, my mother’s sister, got me into Pink Floyd and Rush. I believe my introduction to Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” was quintessential to my road to dealing with the loss of my mother. Listening to music is a cherished pastime, but I started thinking about creating music. My dad took guitar lessons for a little while. He got pretty good and practiced for a couple of years. We always had a Alvarez acoustic setting around. One day I picked it up and set out a goal to learn that song “Wish You Were Here.” I went to my dad to learn how to chord a “G” on guitar, and then it was off to the races learning and practicing this song. Once I got quite a few songs under my belt. I started thinking that I could write my own material. I worked on my own material and notable compositions everyday after school.

I can’t be grateful enough for the power of music that helped me deal with the depression and loss that I was feeling on a daily basis. The mother that I confided in and leaned on everyday was no longer around, but with the help of learning, writing, and playing music it made each day a bit brighter. So, I guess this is the sole reason why I pursued a creative career because it literally brought me out of the trenches.

In college, the drummer and I formed Sleep Nation, we were a 3-piece that kept looking for a singer. We kept trying people out for awhile, and for some reason or another it just never worked out. I believe the drummer suggested that I should just sing. It took quite a bit of convincing, but after we played an entirely instrumental show. Evidently, this was enough to nudge me in the right direction. I’ve been doing all the vocal work in Sleep Nation ever since then. Now, when Covid first hit that presented some new challenges for Sleep Nation. Not only were we not able to play shows, but we lost 2 members during that time. Joey Lauretta, the drummer, and I were left wondering what to do. How we were going to bounce back from this? Replacing members has to be one of the worst parts of playing music. Joey and I decided to continue Sleep Nation as a 2-piece. Just as the singing issue took some convincing this was not any different, but after we did it’s been the best decision we’ve made.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Non-creatives will never understand why creatives spend so much time and effort into an endeavor that seems impossible. I believe non-creatives do not understand that expression is something that creatives are born with. I also think there is a misunderstanding of an artist “making it” or “hitting it big.” Some of us would still create with or without the recognition. The world has produced some wonderful creatives who are posthumous famous now who never experienced fame or fortune while they were alive.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I absolutely love this question. I believe it is so important right now. Support those creatives in your community today. When I go and see my friends perform in Nashville. I’m so impressed with how many massively talented people there are, and I can go see them for less than a starbucks coffee. Buy the shirt, buy the album, and at the very least share their music online. It doesn’t cost money to share a video. Support is not necessarily monetarily driven.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.slpntn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepnationtv
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/sleepnation
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sleepnationband
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/sleepnationband
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepnationtv

Image Credits
Bootleg Bruce Alena Lim – Bl6ckr0s3 Images