When Cities Sleep's Limitless Interview

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!