sleepmakeswaves

Originally the project of Snowdroppers' Jeremy Davidson, Triple J DJ Dom Alessio, and guitarist Jonathan Khor, sleepmakeswaves properly took shape in 2006 once Khor placed a MySpace advertisement seeking musicians for a new post-rock band that would retain the earlier project's name. Alex Wilson (bass), Tom Binetter (guitars), and William Smith (drums) joined to complete the four-piece lineup, which then devoted itself to rehearsals and the creation of initial demo material. Their self-titled two-track demo surfaced online without charge in 2007, and growing listener interest prompted the release of the first official EP, In Today Already Walks Tomorrow, the following year on Australia's Bird's Robe Records. In an unforeseen development, the track "One Day, You Will Teach Me to Let Go of My Fears" was incorporated into a fan-made Twilight video uploaded to YouTube, where it quickly drew massive viewership that translated into more than 50,000 downloads and widespread attention for the group.

The ensuing year brought a national tour supporting American post-metal outfit Pelican, the release of a split EP alongside fellow Australian outfit Tangled Thoughts of Leaving, and guitarist Tom Binetter's announcement of his departure. Otto Wicks-Green was recruited as his replacement, after which the band traveled to Wingello State Forest in New South Wales to begin work on its debut album. Issued in 2011, ...And So We Destroyed Everything reflected the four-piece's growing range through its use of electronics, and favorable notices helped cement sleepmakeswaves' standing as Australia's premier post-rock outfit. Tours backing Russian Circles, Mono, and Boris further boosted the band's profile and opened the way for U.S. and European dates in 2012. Upon returning home for another national run and support slots with Tortoise, the debut album earned a nomination for Best Hard Rock/Metal Album at the 2012 ARIAs. At the start of 2013 the group confirmed the upcoming release of the remix album ...And Then They Remixed Everything. In June 2013 they signed with U.K. label Monotreme Records, which reissued the debut internationally with the remix collection included as a bonus disc. Love of Cartography appeared on Bird's Robe in 2014 after Tim Adderley replaced Smith on drums; the album became their most popular release to date, reaching number 31 on Australia's albums chart. Continued touring that featured regular festival appearances preceded founder Khor's exit and the arrival of Daniel Oreskovic, who joined in time for the third studio LP, Made of Breath Only, released in 2017.
~ Rich Wilson