A Few Minutes With: Sleep Hotline

Debut performance coming Friday

When we did the recent piece on the upcoming local live music opportunities this weekend we had contacted Sleep Hotline who are making their first stage appearance at Flying Bear Book Store/Creperie Friday in downtown Newaygo. Breaking away from a torrid pre concert rehearsal regime we heard from the band who responded to a few of our queries

Who are the members and what do they bring to the band?
Nick Looman - guitar and vocals
Elle Covey - bass and vocals
Alex Reed - percussion and vocals
Riley Newfer - guitar and vocals

How did the band come together? 
We all met randomly through other friends over the last few years. We all live in the Newaygo area and had been looking for like minded artists to bring a project that Elle and Nick had been working on for a while. Alex joined as drummer a year ago and Riley became our lead guitarist last summer.

Has anyone played with other groups?
 We all have! But it's been a while since any of us have been on stage.

Can you describe your music? 
Pop rock with some avante-garde ideas, Hippie rock but a little scarier.

Are there any performers or bands that influenced Sleep Hotline?
  For fans of R.E.M., Modest Mouse, The Killers, with some hardcore influences

Inspiration for the name?
 A long journey of finding a fit without "trying too hard" if that's possible :)

Understand this is your first gig. How does that feel after presumably a boatload of practice?
 We are all very excited and a tiny bit anxious. We've definitely put the practice time in and hope it shows. It's been a long, interesting album to write.

What should people who attend expect?
  It's gonna be crowded and everyone will be friends. We're bringing bright lights, loud amps, and full hearts!!!

Anything to add?
 We are debuting our first album, it's called METONYMY, it's about language, loss, life, and surrender. We will be playing it twice through with a break in the middle between 8pm and 10pm. Come!