A
lternative rock band Sleeping
With Sirens just released their
fifth studio album, Gossip, and
the fans are stoked to see what
else is coming. Lead singer Kellin Quinn
says, “Musically, I feel like Gossip is the
first Sirens record that sounds specifically
like us.” The band is excited to share this
new music with everyone and to get back
on the road and continue touring the world.
We talked to rhythm guitarist Nick Martin
and bass guitarist Justin Hill about their new
album and their plans for the future.
BY JAMIE GERHARTZ
Cliche: Who are your original musical
inspirations? Who has inspired you
along the way?
Nick Martin: My
musical inspirations are
all across the board. I
grew up on the Beatles
and Queen, but also
mariachi music and
punk rock music like
The Clash, Sex Pistols,
and The Ramones. That
opened the doors to The
Misfits, Buzzcocks, and
Cock Sparrer. I also
got into metal music and fell in love with
Pantera and Metallica and also grew up on
classical music. I realized at a young age
that I gravitated towards ANYTHING to do
with music. I loved all of it.
been in the band since the beginning so
it was cool to see what they could offer.
Growing as a band though, we have just
learned what good songwriting really is and
it’s just a better version of us.
What are some challenges you guys
have faced to get to where you are
now?
Nick: Being told “no” or being told I should
do something else. Being broke, living in a
van, and trying to figure out how to do this
still. But for every challenge that’s been
presented, it’s only made me stronger and
more educated. It’s only fed my drive for
what I do and continue to want to do.
Justin: I think a big challenge for a lot of
bands is the financial state
in the beginning years
of touring and trying to
break the ceiling to where
the group can finally
break even. I remember
a lot of crappy fast food,
sleeping on the van floor,
and coming home to bills
and no money. We wrote
a record in a storage unit
in the middle of winter
and lived in it, too. We’ve been through the
ringer!
“ I want people
to feel something
like I do when I
listen to music
and think, ‘Wow,
how did they
think of that?’ ”
Justin Hill: I’d have to give my father
credit for this since he was a huge music
buff when I was a kid. He was always
playing air guitar in the kitchen and
backyard listening to music full blast. He
was also responsible for buying me a bass
guitar and an amp for my first local band.
How do you think your sound has
changed since you guys formed the
band?
Nick: I’ve been in the band for the last
two albums. The sound has been a natural
progression of where we’ve been at in our
lives. I think it’s more mature and it suits
us well. We’re not writing songs like we’re
teenagers anymore. We’ve experienced a lot
of life and our music reflects that now.
Justin: I think when Jack and Nick came
into the band, it changed for the better.
They’re both great songwriters and bring a
lot to the band in a more mature sounding
way than before on previous records. I’ve
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Tell us a little about the writing process
for Gossip. Did it come together
easily? Was there a theme going in?
Nick: It was a long process. It wasn’t easy.
And that’s EXACTLY