Sizeable Talk: With Beauty Sleep
Updated: Jul 17, 2019
Ahead of their Belfast album launch date in the Mac on Saturday 29th of June (tickets here), we caught up with Cheylene, Ryan and Aimee to get the low down on all things Beauty Sleep for the first edition of our “Sizeable Talk” feature.
When and why was Beauty Sleep formed?
The beginnings of Beauty Sleep was formed in 2015. Myself and Ryan had been in various other musical projects together before and realised we had a really similar vision for a band and the kind of music we wanted to write, so we began to explore that and write some songs. We met Aimee at a hazy party one night and we talked about music, drank gin and tonics and swapped favourite swear words and by the morning she had joined the band. I think the name came not long after that and then we started releasing some songs! We formed the band because we love making music and we wanted to create a world that can have these shared experiences and important moments with people at gigs, in songs and artwork. As well as have fun adventures with our friends! As I said, we'd been in bands before so were in love with the whole world of indie music. This band was just about making the music we cared deeply about, and the music we wanted to hear.
When was your first gig as the band and how did it go?
We went big for our first gig! We worked with local promotion company Mirador and put on a 'debut show' in Bar Sub. We had snazzy lights and production rehearsals and we were so very nervous I nearly threw up - but it went so well! We packed the place out, everyone had a great time and we had a massive party afterwards. I think we only had 5 songs at the time hilariously, so we really had no business headlining a show at that stage, but it didn't stop us!!
What are the band’s main influences?
The synths we use are big inspirations. Namely the Juno 106 which I'm so glad we own, it is our secret extra band member. While finishing the album the Korg MS20 became a big influence on our sound too! Musically, it's a hard question. Weirdly I think a lot of rock and punk bands energy inspires us a lot. As well as Peaches and Beyonce, that ‘I don’t give a fuck’ energy is a big inspiration to the vibe of the songs.
But turns out when we don’t give a fuck it gets very dreamy and groovy!! Tame Impala is probably the most direct influence I can think of, we listened to currents non stop when starting the band. But our car playlists really do jump from Janelle Monae to PUP to Bodgea and Bruno Mars. I guess they must all be in there somewhere.
Geek Section
skip if you'd prefer not to be indoctrinated
The highly coveted Juno 106, used by everyone from Madonna to Vangelis. Often used for warm pads, the Juno 106 features one of the most recognisable chorus effects ever.(Left/Top)
Beauty Sleep's Ryan photoed with the Roland MS-20 mini, a re-issue of the 1978 original. Often used for bass and lead sounds.(Right/Bottom)
Sizeable Bear Guesses:
At the risk of being publicly shamed for our lack of synth knowledge, the MS-20 can heard in the bass-line of Beauty Sleep's 'On Repeat' and the Juno 106 can be heard on 'Lies' in the form of warm swelling chords.
Do you prefer the stage or the studio?
Very hard question!!! We've been talking about this a lot recently - I think the two greatest feelings ever in the world is feeling a room come together during a song in your live set, and feeling a song come together when you're writing it in the studio. They’re other indescribable exciting highs and fiercely satisfying outcomes you feel very proud of. They make all the heartache of being an indie musician worth it ten times over! Currently for us though, it's the stage because we've been cooped up in the studio for so long finishing this album! jumping around stage performing our songs LOUDLY to a room, and seeing that connection with another humans in the crowd is one of the best feelings in the world. We've been really enjoying our Be Kind tour shows so far - can't wait for the Belfast one, it's the last of a run of shows (June 29th in The Mac!) so it's going to be VERY FUN. A big communal celebration of Be Kind. I'm sure we'll be craving the studio again soon after that though!
To what extent do you feel your state of mind affects how you write
music as a band?
Enormously. You can write music (to a point) in any state of mind, but the songs you get really excited about and take with you on tourney journey long term only come together when you're in the right mind set. Which is focused I think. If you can harness whatever emotion you're feeling into focus and just move with the music, the best songs come out. I sound like an asshole but it’s what I’ve experienced to be true!!
What are your 3 favourite Irish acts currently?
ooooh there are so many killing it!! If I had to choose right now, today it would be Pillow Queens, Hex Hue and Ryan Vail!
You’ve just released your debut album, what track would you recommend for a first time listener?
Any of them! no - All of them! Haha, honestly, whatever floats your boat, we made them for you. Rainbow Ballroom and Lies were the most recent ones we wrote, so they're the most up to date indication of our mood. Though the Feeling Back has always felt like quite a special one and people seem to really like it, so maybe that!
What are your plans now for the next 12 months?
We're finishing our Be Kind tour in Belfast in The Mac on June 29th, so we're currently focused on making that the most amazing show we possibly can. After that, playing as many festivals and shows as we can, in as many places as possible and just bring Be Kind to life!
Finally, what’s the best pub in Ireland?
A toss up between McGrory's in Culdaff and The Oak Lounge in Errigal Inn, Belfast. We're big fans of a good Guinness in either of those locations!
Get Beauty Sleeps Debut Album 'Be Kind' directly from Quiet Arch here or pick up a copy at Strange Victory Records. Available in coloured vinyl or cd.
Tickets available via the Mac's Website for Beauty Sleep's Belfast album launch on 29/06/19
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Cover photo by Wrapped In Plastic Photography