Years active 2006–present | ||
 | ||
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Associated acts Meniscus
Tangled Thoughts of Leaving
65daysofstatic
Karnivool
Russian Circles Past members Tom Binetter
William Smith
Jonathan "Kid" Khor Members Otto Wicks-Green, Tim Adderley, Alex Wilson, Daniel Oreskovic, Jonathan "Kid" Khor, Tom Binetter, William Smith Genres Post-rock, Instrumental rock Record labels Audiotree Music, Monotreme Records, Bird's Robe Records, Lost Children Albums Love of Cartography, and then they remixed e, In Today Already Walks To, And So We Destroye Profiles | ||
Sleepmakeswaves traced in constellations audiotree live 3 of 4
sleepmakeswaves are an ARIA-nominated Australian post rock band who formed in Sydney, New South Wales in December 2006. The group is currently composed of guitarists Otto Wicks-Green and Daniel Oreskovic, drummer Tim Adderley and bassist/keyboardist Alex Wilson. To date, they have released one extended play (2008's in today already walks tomorrow) and two full-length studio albums (2011's …and so we destroyed everything and 2014's Love of Cartography), as well as a split EP with Perth band Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, a US-only promotional EP and a remix album. The band have reached notable success internationally for their energetic live performances and modern approach to post rock. They are currently released through Australian independent record label Bird's Robe Records, which is distributed through MGM in Australia and independently worldwide. In 2013, UK label Monotreme Records licensed their debut album for an international release across the UK, Europe and North America.
Contents
Sleepmakeswaves exits to nowhere
History
The band formed when Alex Wilson and Tom Binetter responded to a Myspace post by Jonathan Khor, looking to start a new post rock project. Khor had previously collaborated with Jeremy Davidson (aka Johnny Wishbone of the Snowdroppers) and Dom Alessio (of Triple J's Home and Hosed), before continuing to compose music under the name sleepmakeswaves (which was originally coined by Alessio). Binetter recruited drummer William Smith and the band recorded a self-titled demo, which was released free online through the Lost Children net label.
In 2008 the band released their debut EP, "In Today, Already Walks Tomorrow" featuring 6 tracks. The success of the EP proved the catalyst for the band's international fan base, aiding this, one fan included the track one day you will teach me to let go of my fears on a Twilight movie fan video on YouTube. Topping 200,000 hits in a matter of days, the video briefly exposed the band to a worldwide audience before being taken down.
In Australia, the band developed a cult following, supporting Pelican on their Australian visit. An online friendship with Perth band Tangled Thoughts of Leaving led to the release of a split EP in 2009.
Later that year, founding guitarist Tom Binetter announced his decision to leave the band to pursue a career in law. He was replaced by long-time fan and friend of the band, Otto Wicks-Green. The new lineup began work on what would become the band's debut record, recording for eight days on location in Wingello State Forest in rural Australia with producer Dax Liniere of Puzzle Factory Sound Studio.
...and so we destroyed everything was released through new independent label Bird's Robe Records in 2011 and topped worldwide sales on Bandcamp within a week. It went on to feature heavily on international radio, including Triple J, BBC6, FBi and featuring as album of the week on KOOP and RTR FM.
The album generated enough buzz for the band to pursue extensive national tours of Australia in regular succession. They were also invited to support American post-metal band Russian Circles and Japan's Mono and Boris on their Australian visits. During their national tour in support of the record, it was announced that founding drummer Will Smith would be departing to pursue work interests. After a short audition process, the band announced their new drummer, Tim Adderley, also of Sydney band Pirate. The band performed at the 2011 Peats Ridge Festival for New Year's Eve and announced a national tour for February and March. They were also announced as the national support for Karnivool's 16-date sold out Australian tour. The success of the band's album enabled them to tour overseas for the first time. sleepmakeswaves announced they would be performing at the 2012 SXSW music festival during their March US tour. They were also invited to co-headline Belgium's dunk!festival alongside 65daysofstatic in April, becoming the first Australian band to play at the event. The band completed their first European tour in April 2012, playing 15 dates across 8 countries. In July, the band announced the 'Now We Rise and We Are Everywhere' Australian tour for September and were also announced as one of the supports for the Sydney and Melbourne dates of Tortoise's Australian tour in October.
August 2012 saw "…and so we destroyed everything" released in the USA, with the album debuting at #165 on the CMJ Top 200 radio chart in its first week. The band initially sought to arrange a US tour to support the release but financial considerations meant delaying a return visit for some time.
In October it was announced that "…and so we destroyed everything" had been nominated for a 2012 ARIA award for 'Best Hard Rock / Metal Album.' The band were also awarded 'Band Of The Year' at the 2012 Locies.
sleepmakeswaves confirmed they would be touring with influential UK electronic-rock band 65daysofstatic on their Australian visit in January 2013 and co-headlined Melbourne's Rock The Bay Festival in February 2013 alongside Electric Mary and The Beards.
In January 2013, sleepmakeswaves released a remix album "...and then they remixed everything" featuring new interpretations of their album tracks, with contributions from 65daysofstatic, Rosetta, Kyson, Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, Glosfrosch, Ten Thousand Free Men & Their Families, Atlantis and True Vibe Nation member DJ Klue.
The band announced an extensive Australian tour for June & July 2013, premiering new material and performing multiple shows in cities with alternating sets each night.
In June, the band announced they had signed with influential UK label Monotreme Records, for a US and European release of their debut album. The release included a deluxe edition of the album, including the remix album, as well as the band's first ever vinyl release.
sleepmakeswaves were also invited to tour with 65daysofstatic on their extensive run of UK & Europe dates in September, October and November, playing 38 shows in total.
The band returned to Australia for the "Polymorphism" tour in January 2014, taking in sold-out theatres and outdoor marquees alongside progressive rock acts Karnivool and Dead Letter Circus.
Following this, sleepmakeswaves announced pre-orders for their as yet untitled second album would be available via Pozible, in order to raise sufficient funds to begin the recording in February. The band eventually raised over $30,000 for the record and began recording with producer Nick DiDia at Studios 301 in Byron Bay.
On 7 February it was announced the band were confirmed for Dunk Festival in April & Beyond The Redshift Festival in May, with full UK & Europe tour dates to follow. They subsequently announce an 18-date European tour visiting 10 countries in April and May.
On 15 May the band premiered a new song "Something Like Avalanches" on triple j and announced a ten-date headline tour of Australia with supports Breaking Orbit & Teal. On 4 July the new album 'Love of Cartography' was released and subsequently debuted at #31 on the ARIA Charts and #6 on the AIR Charts (#2 for 100% Independent releases behind Sia). The band released a video for the single 'Great Northern' in mid-July.
In September, the band announced a national tour with Dead Letter Circus and Voyager in December.
During October and November, ‘Love of Cartography’ was nominated for an ARIA Award for ‘Best Hard Rocky/Heavy Metal Album’, a J Award for triple j’s ‘Australian Album of the Year’ and an AIR Award for ‘Best Heavy Album’ alongside eventual winners Violent Soho. The band were also nominated for 3 AU Review Awards, with Tim Adderley winning 'Drummer of the Year.'
The band performed at Newtown Festival in November and announced their fourth European tour for March and April 2015, alongside Indian-English progressive rock band Skyharbor and Polish band Tides From Nebula.
In January 2015 the 'Great Northern' tour was announced, a 55-date international tour taking in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, running from March to June. In March it was revealed that US act This Will Destroy You would support at the Sydney & Melbourne shows, as well as co-headlining in New Zealand.
The band's headline show at Sydney's Metro Theatre (their 55th and final of their world tour) was recorded for triple j's Live at the Wireless program; and was broadcast on Monday 25 July.
In August 2015, sleepmakeswaves were announced for the lineup of Port Macquarie's Festival of the Sun in December, as well as the Bird's Robe Records 5th birthday show at Sydney's Manning Bar on 5 December.
In November, Khor announced his departure from the band; with their remaining booked shows serving as his final performances. With Khor's departure, Wilson is the only remaining original member of the band. Khor's replacement was announced in January 2016 as Meniscus guitarist Daniel Oreskovic.
In 2016, the band announced their first tour of North America in four years, supporting progressive metal outfit The Contortionist and UK djent band Monuments on a six-week tour from March to May. During this tour, the band recorded and released a live session through Audiotree, featuring four tracks.
After performing at Tasmanian festival Party in the Paddock, the band confirmed multiple Australian tours for the winter. Supporting the sold out reunion tour of Cog in July and September; the band also headlined their own national tour in August, with support from The Contortionist and Tangled Thoughts of Leaving.
In January 2017, the band were confirmed as the national support for American post-hardcore band Underoath. February 2017 saw the band announce the release of their third studio album, Made of Breath Only. The first single, "Tundra," was premiered on Triple J on February 8, 2017. The band will undertake a headlining Australian tour in March before opening for the Devin Townsend Project in May.
Musical style and influences
The band's debut release, in today already walks tomorrow was touted as one of the most impressive debuts of the post rock calendar in 2008. The band's sound has since developed towards a more indie/experimental sound, with increased use of electronics and cleaner guitars. Comparisons with post-rock giants Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky and Sigur Rós are common, however the band cite heavier acts such as Russian Circles, And So I Watch You From Afar and Rosetta as recent influences. Though they employ the standard soft/loud dynamic common of most post-rock bands, the band treat the term lightly, calling themselves "crescendo-core" and preferring the use of tightly structured songs and melodies rather than the 'beautiful noise' opted for by bands like Mono. In recent times, the band have often cited touring partners 65daysofstatic & Karnivool as key influences and inspiration.