Five piece post hardcore act from Southern Maryland called
When Cities Sleep took the time to discuss with me their formula with how they
came about to what can be expected on their EP "Limitless". Check what
all went down below.
1. Where does a name like When Cities Sleep come from and
mean?
Band: We went through a whole list of different names we
were thinking of and When Cities Sleep was the one we could all agree on.
2. Tell us the brief history of your band.
Band: Our bassist and lead guitarist originally started the
band when they were in 9th grade. After a couple years and a few member changes
we've been hauling ass to make the best music we can.
3. What type of band are you?
Band: Post Hardcore/Metalcore/Rock
4. Tell me about the title for your release Limitless?
Band: We picked one of our songs that meant the most to us.
In the song Limitless, it's about breaking away from someone who had been
controlling and basically holding back any future plans. This someone set
limits as to how much our vocalist could go and he ended up letting that person
go, ultimately making his future limitless.
5. Who writes the songs, what are they about?
Band: Mike, our vocalist, writes all the lyrics.
"Limitless": Explained in question 4 above.
"Monster": Anyone who tries to get away with lying
and cheating
"Reflections": This song is about when Mike had
his doubts about our band and was considering joining another band and in his
mind he felt selfish only to try and further his singing career but was blinded
by that thought and realized that in this band is where he belonged.
"Holly Station": This was written about a former
band member who, at the time we kicked him out, was very spiteful and treated
us like shit. So…yeah.
"Calamity": This was Mike's personal message to
his father who had passed away in 2004 and basically we were hoping through
this song we could connect with those who have also lost loved ones.
6. How would you describe the overall sound of the new release?
Band: Southern, heavy, ambient. Like the old stuff but way
better.
7. Did the band have any definitive goals they were shooting
for before the recording process began for this release?
Band: Yes. We actually had some things we needed to get
straightened out like getting our van situation straight and getting our music
out to more fans beyond the MD VA DC areas.
8. Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
Band: We all have our different influences.
Mike: Zac Johnson (I See Stars), Austin Carlile (Of Mice
& Men), Haley Williams (Paramore), and Matty Mullins (Memphis May Fire).
Justin: Memphis May Fife, Texas In July, Motionless In
White, I The Breather, Upon This Dawning, The Devil Wears Prada, Asking
Alexandria.
Alex: Memphis May Fire, Sleeping With Sirens, Attack Attack,
Issues, Frank Ocean, Horizons, I See Stars, In Fear And Faith, Incubus.
Ricky: The Word Alive, Attack Attack!
Austin: Of Mice And Men, Paramore, Thomas Lang, Memphis May
Fire.
9. Are you using any new instrumentation you've never used
in the recording process before?
Band: No, not really just better skills.
10. When did you start writing for this release?
Band: In the summer of 2012
11. Can you go into one or two tracks on the new release? If
so, can you give us the track title and brief description of how the track
sounds and how it came about?
Band: "Calamity", was originally only a chorus and
when we went to the studio everything kinda fell into place around that chorus.
With "Monster" we were trying to go for a more
"mainstream" feel with similar sounding guitar riffs throughout the
song instead of technical riffs displayed in our other songs.
12. How do you promote your band and shows?
Band: Our bassist does all of our design work and we try to
use that to our advantage with flyers, promo videos, etc.
13. Describe your show, visual and musically for us.
Band: You're gonna have to come out to one of our shows and
find out ;)
14. What are your dreams and goals?
Band: To have our music be heard and play for great fans and
make a career out of it.
15. How much more can we expect to see from When Cities
Sleep for the rest of this year?
Band: More shows, a possible label, and maybe some extra
little goodies you'll have to stay tuned to find out.
16. Anything else you want to say or add?
Band: No that about wraps it up.
17. Is that your final answer?
Band: Wait…PARTY LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST NIGHT ALIVE!
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