A Sunday Conversation With Sleepwulf


When I was a kid, growing up in a house with Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, and Simon and Garfunkel, the first time I ever heard Kiss's "Detroit Rock City," it was a moment of musical epiphany. It was just so vicious, aggressive and mean. It changed the way I listened to music. I've had a few minor epiphany's since then, when you come across a band that just brings something new and revolutionary to your ears.

What have been your musical epiphany moments?

No band in particular. Growing up we were surrounded by instruments and jamming culture. Live music was a big part of our community and it became something not just listened to but experience with other people. When writing new music we now always keep in mind what it will sound like live.

Talk to us about the song-writing process for you. What comes first, the idea? A riff? The lyrics? How does it all fall into place?

Guitar drum and bass jam it out around a riff. Once an idea for a song is made we show it to our singer who writes lyrics and melodies.

Who has influenced you the most?

John Dee

Where do you look for continuing inspiration? New ideas, new motivation?

Deep within our collective minds

We're all a product of our environment. Tell us about the band's hometown and how that reflects in the music?

We all grew up in the forest so our music is deeply rooted in the cycles of nature.

Where'd the band name come from?

It came to us in a dream

You have one chance, what movie are you going to write the soundtrack for?

Cats the movi.

You now write for a music publication (The Ripple Effect?).  You're going to write a 1,000 word essay on one song. Which would it be and why?

Standing Stone off our new album. It covers all elements of our music and themes of the album.

Come on, share with us a couple of your great, Spinal Tap, rock and roll moments?

Getting involved in a meme war with Wizzerd and Merlin.

Tell us about playing live and the live experience for you and for your fans?

We believe that our music should sound as good or better than what we have captured on our album. We try to make it a holistic experience.

What makes a great song?

Something you can experience on multiple levels. Also when you can discover other parts on future listens.

Tell us about the first song you ever wrote?

It was called Horse and it was really bad

What piece of your music are particularly proud of?

The whole album as a full experience

Who today, writes great songs? Who just kicks your ass? Why?

So many it’s impossible to choose but Kadavar, Graveyard, Uncle Acid. They have mastered not only great music but amazing live shows.

Vinyl, CD, or digital? What's your format of choice?

Vinyl for a physical copy, digital for wider audience

Whiskey or beer?  And defend your choice

Beer, you can drink that all night

We, at the Ripple Effect, are constantly looking for new music. What's your home town, and when we get there, what's the best record store to lose ourselves in?

There are none

What's next for the band?

We are only getting started. Getting back to writing music and sorting a European/US tour.

Any final comments or thoughts you'd like to share with our readers, the waveriders?

Please buy our stuff we need to eat

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