Alternative emo rockers SISTER SLEEP have not one but three EPs, a new single in time for the summer, with a whole lot more music expected within the next year! The band discusses their writing process, music creativeness, releases, and future plans ahead.
1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, you planned it or did it come out just like that?
Jamie: It came from a few things actually. The first being a reference to the lost My Chemical Romance demo “Sister To Sleep” MCR is my favorite band and a huge influence on us for sure. The other reasons being it fit very well with the cult meets occult aesthetic and imagery we are fans of. We are huge horror fans so it went hand in hand. I also love the name being inherently feminine with “Sister” and with myself being trans, it felt like another fitting vibe. It also brings about religious imagery, which is another layer of what we are bringing to the table. I am not religious really, but I grew up in a religious family and I find it all very interesting to learn about and pull from. I think also that sound-wise, the name suits us very well. It sounds how we do, ya know?
2. Why did you want to play this genre?
Jamie: I not only grew up a huge fan of the genre, but it was the genre that made me wanna play music and feel like I actually could. The emotional catharsis, the theatrics, the energy. It will forever hold a special place in my heart.
3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?
Jamie: Most of us did yes! Some of us (me, Kit, James and Chase) were in a previous project together. Matty and Riley I knew through other bands in the scene and mutual friends.
4. Where is the band based out of and what is your music scene like there? Are there any local bands you could recommend?
Jamie: Atlanta, GA. There’s something special in the water down here haha. SO many great Atlanta local bands, very diverse and just…It’s hard to keep up sometimes. The Callous Daoboys, Bummer Hill, Split Silk, Muelas, Tiny Banshee, Great Wide Nothing, Janie Danger, Over Anna, Kyle Lewis is a Boring Name, BACKTOEARTH, Ozello. I could go on and on haha.
5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?
Jamie: It’s a mix of songs inspired by horror movies, stories and so on, but also songs that are very personal to me specifically.
6. What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)
Jamie: My own mental health, self image, struggles with depression, anxiety etc. I also have been leaning into writing more songs about finding who I am and standing up for that. We will always wear our queerness and transness on our collective sleeve because that sort of honest representation is SO important and just part of who we are as a band.
7. Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the songwriting process in detail.)
Jamie: Yeah we do! It really varies and depends on the song. Generally we take an idea that someone has (guitar riff, piano melody etc.) and bring it to the table for everyone to attempt building around it, tracking as we go. We also love co-writing with our producer Aaron Pace. He has always been a great objective voice and someone who really brings out the best in us musically.
8. What have you released so far and what can someone expect from your works?
Jamie: We currently have 3 EPs;
Wraith and Rosary (2022)
In Bad Faith (2023)
Phantom Threads (2024)
We just give our special spin on the Emo/Mallcore sound of the mid 2000’s but we do it in a way that is authentically us and not trying to JUST rely on nostalgia. We like loud, we like spooky, we like sassy and we also love to never do one song over and over. When you listen to our music from 2022 all the way to now you really hear a natural progression that I am so proud of. We are really finding and honing in on our sound.
9. Do you have any new music in the works?
Jamie: This year has been a huge writing and recording one for us. So yes we do and we can’t wait to continue working on it. Here’s to hoping we will have a lot to share in 2026! OH and we have a new single “Collect Your Skeletons” (Featuring Maude Stout of Splitjaw) out now!
10. How about playing shows and touring, have anything planned out?
Jamie: Because of the focus on writing and recording, shows took a backseat this year BUT we definitely have some things in the works. Our next show is on 6/26 at The Masquerade in Atlanta, GA. (The Altar)
We are playing with Sarah Rose Project, Ratwyfe, and Beth Ballinger. Should be a gay good time! Happy Pride everybody
11. What plans do you have for the future as a band?
Jamie: We are staying hard at work on new music and we really wanna make it to more cities we’ve never played before! Next year we hope to really make that happen, so if you want us in your city, shoot us a message or an email. We wanna make it happen!
12. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?
https://linktr.ee/sistersleepband
As for merch and all that we are still in the process of setting up an online store, so hopefully sooner rather than later!
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