Sleep Parade
Sleep Parade are a great Aussie band with one album out another one coming out in July this band is doing good. So Leigh Davies (Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keys/Synths) from the band answers my questions.
1. What is the new song about?
2:09 is a song which talks about a type of therapy I have experienced called Gestalt Psychotherapy. 2:09 is about following a path into the unknown where the only certainty is knowing that to move forward it is the only route that can be taken. The song describes my experience with the therapy which involves seeing connections between my past and the way it influences my present, It’s designed to break these patterns by shining the light into the dark.
2. How are things different from earlier releases?
2:09 explores a more ambient side to Sleep Parade and utilises spacey atmospheric synthesises and keyboards. I feel my vocals are a lot more the focal point of the song whereas in the past our music has probably been more in the foreground and the vocals more of a texture.
3. Do you think touring is easier or harder from when you guys were starting out?
I think it feels easier in that we are obviously more experienced than when we first began. To be more specific knowing how to look after your health on tour (contrary to popular rock and roll belief) can make the touring experience for me personally a lot more enjoyable. I’d prefer to cut back on partying after shows and would rather have more energy to play a good show for the fans which is what it’s all about yes?
4. Do you think the Internet has made it harder for bands to stand out?
I believe that good music will always come to the surface and stand out however it is reliant and dependent on how much belief and time a band puts into promoting it. What has definitely happened though is a lot more run of the mill untalented music is showing it’s ugly head due to anyone being able to put their stuff online. If you can cast your memory back to the 60’s and 70’s (if you’re that old, I’m not..) artists only became massive due to their sheer talent as recording equipment was not around at that time to make them good. Now with all this technology at our fingertips, regardless of being a blessing or a curse, anyone can become an artist. But I still believe that in the end sheer talent and creation does stand out in the end.
5. How did it feel to be picked as supports for such talented bands?
We were all over the moon. We worked hard and it was a real relief and great feeling to be acknowledged by these bands whom we all looked up to: COG, The Butterfly Effect, Porcupine Tree.
6. Are their plans to go overseas and tour?
Once we release and establish this second album in July this year we have our sights set on touring Japan and the UK/Europe first off. From feedback online our music has and continues to be received very well in places especially in Europe so that is definately a must.
7. How often does the songwriting process change when writing music?
Generally Sleep parade have kept a very similar approach to songwriting since the beginning. Often I’ll write a cool chorus or something at home and then bring it into the studio and then we will jam it out and then it basically grows from there. Sleep Parade like to really fine tune each song.
8. What does 2013 mean for the band?
This year Sleep Parade are going to release the 2nd album entitled Inside/Out in early July. We have already released a seeding track called Dancing With The Enemy which was received quite well and we have just released the first single from the album called 2:09 which is getting even better feedback. Sleep Parade will endeavour to tour Australia at several different points this year in support of the album releases.
9. What does it mean to connect with your fans?
That is what it’s really all about isn’t it? It shouldn’t matter how big a band becomes the essential backbone is still that the band connects with their fans. So yes it absolutely is very important to Sleep Parade to be in close contact with fans, replying to messages/emails and chatting after shows.
