Catch up with San Diego-based Inspired & The Sleep's Max Greenhalgh, listen to their latest single "Sweet Company", and look for more to come from the indie dream pop duo soon.
What brought you two together?
Max Greenhalgh: For some reason Bryce and I got sat next to each other every class on our odd days sophomore year in high school. So we basically had to become best friends. At the time, Bryce was super into Black Metal while I was playing Dungeons & Dragons.
Where does your name, Inspired & the Sleep, come from?
Polarity. So, 'Inspired' represents excitement and energy as well as anxiety and nervousness, while 'The Sleep' represents calmness and tranquility as well as depression and exhaustion. Two opposite ends with both positive and negative aspects.
Which musicians have you been influenced by?
Max - Patrick Watson, Jeff Buckley, Chris Wood (bassist of Medeski Martin & Wood)
Bryce - Cut Copy, The Shins, Foals
If you were to make a playlist for your fans, which three songs - from other artists - would you have to include?
James Blake - "A Case Of You" (Joni Mitchell cover)
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - "I'll Come Back 4 U"
Rhye - "The Fall"
How would you describe your sound to someone who had never heard your music before?
Psychedelic Dream Pop with back bone in Groove-Centered Indie Rock.
What were your inspirations behind your latest single, "Sweet Company"?
Mostly the feeling of belonging. I'd say use our song quote for this one:
'"Sweet Company" is our jubilant ode to the feeling of belonging in relation to one's memory. To me, the song represents the action of appreciating the good times you've spent in any sort of relationship regardless of when they occurred or how it might've ended. The verses depict a particular individual I was dating at the time, however the chorus speaks in generality of anyone from your past you've been close to. I see so many people cutting ties to past relationships and I feel like if that energy was spent being grateful for what they used to have, the world would be a better place.'
Do you have plans to release a new EP or album?
We have enough material to, although I think we'll only be putting out singles for the time being.
What do you hope listeners are able to take away from your music?
Any sort of emotional response to the material! Whatever it may be.
Is there anything you want to add?
We've got a ton of new music on the horizon; keep your eyes peeled.