Sunsleeper – Soften Up

By starrymag | April 15, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

Jeffery: We play loud 90’s inspired indie/emo rock.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

Jeffery: Archers Of Loaf, The Jealous Sound, American Football, Pedro The Lion/David Bazan and Weezer. Some more contemporary influences would be Manchester Orchestra, Brand New, All Get Out, Colour Revolt, etc.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Soften Up.”

Jeffery: “Soften Up” was the first song we wrote for the new record both instrumentally and lyrically. It was written in the midst of a lot of chaotic change in my life. The song is about internalizing feelings of disdain for myself while presenting myself as put together on the outside. A lot of the lyrics detail my mind wrestling with itself. I have a tendency to put myself down when I’m already feeling low. It’s like my brain is telling me I don’t deserve to feel despondent, which in turn makes me feel worse. It’s a destructive head-space.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

Jeffery: Internalized negative self-image or self-worth is something a lot of people struggle with. The hope is that the listener can relate and feel comforted that someone else feels the same way they do. Also, the end of the song ends sonically and lyrically with an air of hopefulness which I hope people find apparent.

 

Q) How will the video for the track play into the message behind it?

Jeffery: The video in a small way parallels the theme of the song in the sense that on the inside is where the loud discomfort and anxiety lives, and on the outside we put up a more appealing front.

 

Q) You recently signed to Rude Records. What makes them the right home for your work? 

Jeffery: We were in the preparation phase of releasing new music ourselves when Federico from Rude Records reached out to us and stated interest in our band. We’ve always been of the mindset that we didn’t want to solicit ourselves to labels, so the fact he reached out to us was really cool. We began a dialogue that spanned many months before we decided to work with them. Their belief in our band was apparent through these talks and their track record speaks for itself!

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

Jeffery: Our writing process is ever changing, but normally it starts with me creating a song structure with some chords and a melody. From there we build the song together as a band. After that I add lyrics based off of how the song feels sonically.

 

Q) “Soften Up” was produced by Nathan Hussey. How did you come to work with him?

Jeffery: We’ve actually had Nate produce all of our music thus far. He and I started talking after my old band opened for All Get Out in 2013. A few years later I mentioned to him that I was working on a new project and he offered to be involved. He produced our first EP in 2016. The chemistry was great so we asked him to be involved in our music moving forward.

 

Q) How much of a say does Nathan have in the production of your music? 

Jeffery: Nate is great at identifying what’s lacking in any given scenario as a songwriter. I’d say his greatest contribution on our first EP was helping us trim the fat. We turned six-minute songs into three-minute songs without losing the feeling or intention of the parts. I’d say on the new stuff he and I focused on lyrics the most. I’d present a song I thought was finished lyrically and then he’d have me re-write the song, sometimes three times!

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Sunsleeper performance?

Jeffery: Genuine emotion and a lot of energy.

 

Q) Will there be a full EP or album coming in the near future?

Jeffery: We’ll be announcing something cool next month (April), so keep an eye out!

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you? 

Jeffery: Kilby Court in Salt Lake City is my hometown favorite. We’ve played some of my favorite shows there. I’ve also been lucky enough to catch some of my favorite bands play there over the years like Colour Revolt and Balance & Composure. Outside of Utah, I’m really fond of a spot called The Couch House in Lincoln, NE. We’ve played there a couple times now and the energy and support is unparalleled. Great people running it too!

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

Jeffery: I’d love to work with Mike Sapone on a record one day.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

Jeffery: Our guitarist Matt [Mascarenas] is in another band called City Ghost and they are phenomenal. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Microwave, Blue Heaven, Anderson .paak and John Mayer lately, too.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

Jeffery: We try and utilize our social media not only to keep our listeners up to date with us, but to actually connect and build relationships with them. In this day and age, I think it’s integral to connect and build community with people rather than be removed from them. Social media helps provide us with the opportunity to do so.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

Jeffery: If you’ve been listening a while, thanks for sticking with us. The last few years have been crazy but we won’t keep you waiting much longer. To new listeners, we appreciate your time! I hope to see y’all at a show.

 

 

All Questions Answered By Vocalist Jeffery Mudgett