The Sleepy Haunts are an independent alt-rock band that draws inspiration from Beach Bunny and Beabadoobeeโs โBubble Grungeโ style. The Seattle, Washington-based band, led by singer/songwriter Gillian McMahon, celebrates pop and comic-con culture while delving into the anxieties and challenges of adolescence in their music. Given that Gillian enjoys both napping and creepy things, the name was generated by the Spotify name generator.
Everything that makes up the Sleepy Haunts is represented by โPeter Parkerโ. Short prose, a catchy melody, and a fandom culture foundation. Nerds, ghosts, and casual listeners everywhere will love this song. An upcoming female-fronted band from Seattle, Washington is called The Sleepy Haunts. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: The band actually started in Portland, Oregon with Gillian [Lead singer, rhythm guitarist, songwriter] and her friend but ultimately split up during the pandemic. I, Gillian, kept writing music under the name though and ultimately submitted to Sound Off! At the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle, Washington (where I had been going to college), and got accepted. Thatโs when I knew I had to throw a band together. My bassist, Noah, I met while in Portland so he started playing for us. Eventually, we got Josiah [guitarist] because he came to some of our shows and was interested in playing with us, and our drummer [Sevastian] was recommended by one of our sub drummers who couldnโt do the band full time but knew that he was available. That lineup didnโt really form until December 2022 so weโve been a lineup for about six months.
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I canโt speak for Josiah, but the rest of us have had formal training in one way or another. Noah and I went to School of Rock Portland for several years, and Sevastian was apart of a School of Rock in Washington.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โTHE SLEEPY HAUNTSโ?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: My first musical influence was really Alanis Morisette, she changed everything for me musically. Eventually I really learned to love the Cranberries as well. Now as Iโve been exploring more music and embracing Pop as a genre more, I have a deep appreciation for artists like Olivia Rodrigo, beabadoobee, Beach Bunny, and more. I chose the name the Sleepy Haunts from a band name generator, to be honest. I always loved ghosts and naps are my favorite hobby. I just wanted the name to be something silly.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: Iโve been describing our sound as โbubble grungeโโwhich is the idea of pop vocals with more rockish instrumentals. I hope listeners are able to enjoy the lyrics of the songs. Some of the songs have deeper lyrics, others are more cut and dry, but I want people to be able to even just hear the melody and vibe with it.

5. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS:
Iโd say for the rest of my bandmates, they probably have struggled enduring my lack of guitar skills. It really brings our practices down since I donโt know what Iโm doing. For me though, dealing with my own insecurities from being a woman in the industry. Iโm constantly questioning my own headspace, and wondering if I should even continue what Iโm doing, and it takes my family to remind me that I got push forward and continue.
6. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: Well, I think having musical influences is kind of the biggest thing. I knew I loved singing, and I wanted to try songwriting, so I started kind of looking towards people who inspire me and seeing what their process was and how they wrote songs. I still pull a lot of inspiration from artists that are important to me, but since getting an idea of how the process works, itโs easier for me to come up with melodies and write lyrics. The thing I like about my style, is that itโs representative of the music I listened to growing up and the music I discovered on my own. My Mom loves the grunge era, and my Dad likes punk music a lot (and also Blink-182!). I have that background but quickly learned that Iโm actually a huge Swiftie and fan of 90s pop music. I think it shows in my writing and the melodies I curate.
7. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: There have been a few moments of success that Iโve been really proud of, but the most recent one was a festival we played. We werenโt one of the headliners, but the hosts of the event told us afterwards that we were the favorites and that we shouldโve been a headliner. It made all of us feel validated, especially since we felt intimidated by the actual headliners.
8. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I think music has the power to create change. Music, really, is just another form of writing. Books, articles, speeches, they can all inspire others to take action and come to terms with their own vulnerability. Music can do the same. So often you see people have favorite songs because it relates to them during a time of emotional turmoil, or it reminds them of a good memory. Other times, youโll see songs that are speaking out against something, and it brings those attentions to the mainstream. The biggest thing with my work is, I donโt create an agenda when I write music. I like to write whatโs at the forefront of my mind. If itโs a political issue relating to me or my community, Iโll write about that. If itโs a fight I had with a friend, or even a TV show Iโm watching, Iโll write about all of those things. Music to me is a snapshot of where I was at emotionally and physically during the time I wrote it, itโs like an up close diary.
9. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: Itโs honestly a mix. I usually write songs by myself and then collaberate with others, maybe my producer or bandmates. Sometimes I have an important emotional struggle I want to write about, so Iโll sit down with my guitar and figure out and the chords and lyrics right then and there. Other times, Iโll be driving and have to pull over to record a melody that got stuck in my head. And finally, sometimes I know I have a topic I want to write about and I try making a chart to figure out what things I want to mention. Iโll always let the song sit for a bit before revisiting though, so I can hear if itโs horrible or not.
10. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I think all musicians want to experience some sort of mainstream success, as a way to validate that what theyโre doing is good, and Iโm not different. I will say, that I have enjoyed every second of the process so far. The few people who do listen to my music, always message me on Instagram and it makes my day to know I made an impact on just a handful of people. It makes the hardwork worth it.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I think itโs funny, honestly. We like to play a cover of Olivia Rodrigoโs โgood 4 u,โ and we had some frat guys boo us at a show. It was hilarious. I loved it.
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I love a live audience, because they have no obligation to enjoy your work, but when they do it just makes it all the more exciting.
13. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I hope they interpret it however they please. Heck, Iโll interpret songs differently to fit my own moods all the time. Art is fluid, and so are interpretations.
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1 comment
Great in-depth interview!