Interviews: Sleep/less

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Pop Punk band Sleep/less from Canada. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? Did you plan it, or did it come out just like that?

Brad: The name Sleepless was originally an idea for a solo acoustic project, but when I met Beau, the lead singer, I decided that we definitely needed to be in a band. We went through names, and I presented Sleepless, and it just stuck with us. Where the Slash comes from was the idea that we can stand out more and thus avoid running into any issues with trademarking, though now we have the SEO issue, and just add sleepless in brackets when typing Sleep/less. 

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Brad: Most of the guys in the band, ironically, are metalheads. At the time, it was just fun to kick it back a bit and not do something metal. It eventually grew into all these different influences we've had from childhood to now, and it just seems like second nature to do pop-punk/rock but also bring in some influences of other genres at times. 

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Brad: The only ones who knew each other beforehand were I (Brad) and JC. Beau (Vocals) I met through a Kijiji ad (Canadian Craigslist), and I messaged, "Yo, come record vocals in my basement in a closet" or something close to that. Dean (Bass), we actually have a Billy Talent Tribute band with me and JC, and when we were looking to change the roster at the time, Dean was a no-brainer. Austin (Drummer), we just kind of kidnapped him from the gym (he's just a gym rat) 

4. Each band member's favourite band?

Beau - Deftones

Austin - Rise Against

Dean - Billy Talent

Brad - Children of Bodom

JC - Linkin Park

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Brad: Is it too cheesy to say heartbreak? loss? life's ups and downs? I think we can all say, music is our way to express, get the feelings and emotions out, the anger, the sad, the happy, it's just a way for us to communicate. Sometimes we don't even know what we're feeling or trying to say, and things just flow. It isn't until later that we understand why the song was written the way it was. 

6. Where was your last gig?

Brad: Last gig was at a new festival here in Winnipeg called Frozen Booter Fest, it was their first year of making a music festival during the coldest month. 

7. Where would you like to act?

Brad: We would love to get into the U.S market more for tours, and even eventually go overseas. I see Japan on the shortlist, haha. 

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Band: I think there are too many to name, from musicians we grew up with to even some artists now. I'd say, Simple Plan, One Ok Rock, Stand Atlantic, and Mike Shinoda, there are way too many to list. 

9. Whom not?

Brad: I'm not sure if there's anyone that comes to mind, even in different genres, that could be cool. 

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Austin: My stage fright always came from being underprepared or at least feeling underprepared. I had jitters for my first show with Sleep/less just cause it was the first one and I was trying to earn my spot. But I have no concerns now, very comfortable after playing through the set with no hiccups multiple times. So I'd say being prepared, and just try to have a good show, not just put on a good show. If you do one, you'll achieve the other.

Dean: Even after a couple hundred gigs, I still get nervous before every show; Doesn't matter if it's for an audience of 5 or 500. I love what I do so much that I'm always hoping to put my best foot forward and deliver an experience that helps others feel just as much love and joy with music as I do. The best way I've found to do that is just to do it (as much of a cop-out answer as that can sound like). No persona, no script; just to be unapologetically myself - and I know that eventually the right people will find that and appreciate that. Nothing worth doing ever came easy, and those nerves are just proof I'm still pouring my all into every performance I step into. 

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Going outside the obvious of some favourite artists, I'd say Bring Me The Horizon, they are always evolving and have crazy live shows. Even Simple Plan, Nickelback, and other legacy artists that have 20+ year careers. They all show growth, evolution, and their dedication to their fans. If the tenacity of another artist doesn't inspire you to put in the work, learn, grow, and make mistakes, then I'm not sure what/who will.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

It started out as not weird; they just asked for a hug, then they went and kissed the neck. Definitely became weird.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Honestly, they're the best. Without them, we wouldn't have been able to play some of the bigger shows we got to do, share some of the experiences, and hear some stories from them about our music and connections made. It's been absolutely amazing, and we can't wait to grow more with them and have more experiences and stories to both share and listen to.

14. What do you think of our site?

It's a clean layout and easy to navigate, love the horns as the cursor, didn't know that was possible to do!

15. Something to add?

Thank you, Jon, for having a platform for artists! We're looking forward to the rest of 2026 and into 2027 as we get close to 10 years as a band with a new album in the works! Find us everywhere at Sleep/less and @sleeplesswpg.

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