Derry alt-pop duo Beauty Sleep have released their new single, I Love It Here I Hate It. We asked them the BIG questions . . .
It's the second release from Cheylene and Ryan’s critically acclaimed debut album Be Kind and arrives ahead of their shows at the Music From Ireland official showcase at Texas music seminar SXSW on St. Patrick's Day.
Speaking about I Love It Here I Hate It, Beauty Sleep says, "We are all so in-between, all our identities are uncertain.
"And I think that makes us so powerful and we should celebrate it, rather than letting it ruin our self-esteem.
"It’s about trying to claim our own identities and inspire others to do the same. There is power in that. There Is power in owning who you are and connecting with others through your complicated identity."
Tell us three things about yourself?
Ryan: We are an indie rock/arty pop band from Derry. We record, produce, and mix our music and often feel the studio is the other member of the band.
Cheylene: Ryan and I met playing in a different Derry band called Wonder Villains when we were teenagers. When that ended, we joined forces to work on Beauty Sleep.
The live band consists of ourselves (Cheylene and Ryan) and our amazing friends Aimee and Ross on bass and drums. We are a surprisingly tall live band with the average height being 5"11.
How would you describe your music?
Cheylene: Your upbeat, dreamy, floaty friend who thinks of themselves as a hardcore rocker. We always say we think we're a punk rock band, but we can’t help but write hopeful dreamy pop tunes.
Ryan: I think this is the hardest question for songwriters! The most important elements for us are - big groovin’ beats (we love some extra percussion especially a cowbell, slide whistle or cuica) big stinky guitar lines and the dreamiest or terrifying-est analogue synth sounds possible.
Cheylene: People tend to say we sound like Phoenix, Tame Impala or Two Door Cinema Club, so take from that what you will!
Who are your musical inspirations?
Cheylene: St Vincent - she creates these WORLDS with her albums that are incredible. She has such a varied musical output over the many albums that it's inspiring to see her reinvent herself over and over! Plus, her guitar playing, and song writing is just too cool, she will forever be our queen. Then artists like HAIM, Blood Orange, Tame Impala, Beyoncé, Laura Mvula are all big inspirations to us!
What was the first gig you ever went to and the first record you ever bought/downloaded?
Cheylene: My parents were classical musicians, so I was literally brought up going to classical music gigs, which I have very fond memories of. First rock show was S Club’s final show in Wembley Arena in London - my auntie taught S Club Juniors when I was like 10 and got me in backstage to have a pre-show dinner with them. I was so shy I couldn't even look them in the eye for the whole dinner. It was great. First record I bought with my own money was Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway.
Ryan: My brother took me to see Meat Loaf in Dublin. I’d never been in a space like that before and was amazed by the scale of it all. It was the most exciting atmosphere. I even got a knock-off Meat Loaf scarf outside and everything. I still remember that it smelt funny. My early "record collection" was heavy on Def Leppard, KISS, Bon Jovi and then Nevermind by Nirvana blew that all away a bit.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Cheylene: This week it's Daydreaming by Aretha Franklin! Trying to learn it on the piano.
Ryan: Jumpers by Sleater-Kinney came on the radio the other morning and it floored me all over again, what a tune.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Cheylene: "All I want is four walls and adobe slats for my girls" - My Girls by Animal Collective.
Ryan: "Home is where I wanna be, but I guess I’m already there." This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cheylene: Michael Kiwanaka - You Ain't The Problem.
Ryan: The Blue Nile - Tinseltown in the Rain.
Where can people find your music/more information?
We're on all the streaming platforms and social media so whichever is your favourite we should be there! @beautysleeptheband for everything except twitter which is @beautysleeptalk. You can also sign up to our mailing list on our website and buy our music (including our debut album Be Kind from 2019) on Bandcamp.
