Post-Brexit Headbangers: Q&A With Politicized English Metalcore Band While She Sleeps Ahead of July 28 Gig
When you think of politicized, socially conscious protest music, what genres cross your mind? Some of us might immediately think of 60s folk, while other may look to punk or even backpack rap. And while the metalcore style of heavy, hard-hitting songwriting is better known for inspiring headbanging and moshing, one of the genre’s hottest young bands has been praised for releasing a thoughtful LP loaded with politically astute lyrics.
While She Sleeps' latest album You Are We (released this past April) was acclaimed by critics for capturing the essence of England’s “post-Brexit” anxiety. Hailing from the city of Sheffield, the band has released a total of three albums since their 2012 debut This Is the Six. And though their pummeling rhythms and ambitious lyrics have garnered them a considerable following, the group has also faced considerable challenges, especially when health issues caused singer Lawrence Taylor to lose his voice and cancel a spate of shows throughout the majority of 2014.
Below, Taylor (via the comfort of a keyboard) tells us about all that and more ahead of While She Sleeps’ July 28 gig at Yugong Yishan.
How do you feel about the reception your new album has gotten? Revolver magazine even called it the "best album so far about post-Brexit/post-election anxiety. You Are We is frantic and grim, preoccupied with personal and political disintegration, but it’s also huge."
For me, it feels like we are all forced to make decisions about our nation and the future of our countries, when it feels like nothing will really help and the agendas of our leaders will remain the same.
You Are We is While She Sleeps’ loose stamp on those topics, whilst encompassing our own personal emotions and anguish. In no way are we politicians, nor do we have the answers. But for us it feels like unity is the best way forward. We are all connected, and yes I hope you feel and hear this when listening to the album. We are all in this together, so let’s enjoy life as much as we can.
People were also impressed by the production values on this new album, with the NME calling them "perfection” and adding “too many metalcore records overproduce until notes feel clinical. But this album builds and drops like an avalanche of brilliance, Taylor’s voice firing off a round of vocal ammo with ease." How does that make you feel?
We work hard on our music, so any praise or recognition is amazing. We also feel like there are so many metalcore bands out there that all sound very similar. I think we hold our own. And I would say that whatever genre you want to stick us in, we sound like no one else out there. I’m stoked that mags and people are behind us with this, as we released You Are We independently and are very proud of what we achieved.
And yet your success hasn’t come easily. I've read you underwent extensive vocal surgery in the past. That seems especially worrisome for a singer such as yourself.
I’ve been screaming and shouting in bands since I was 15 years old. As a youngster it gave me a way of expressing myself, releasing negativity and allowing me to let go. This calms me down in day-to-day life.
However, having done this for so long, with no technique lessons or training and little knowledge, it has taken its toll on my vocal cords. I have always had a very "if it's not loud, heavy and passionate then it ain’t worth doing." I love to party, drink and smoke, but this is not good for a vocalist obviously. I pushed my vocal chords to the limit and yes had to have surgery twice.
What was it like to go through that?
It was terrifying as everything our band had worked towards was on the line. I drank to forget my problems and this brought the problem back, but as promised I delivered (our 2015 album) Brainwashed despite having a polyp.
Since then I have learned to respect my voice more. That means eating things that won’t harm my voice and party a little less. A voice is like a personality, and it’s different for everyone, so to any aspiring vocalist’s out there: know your boundaries.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
There have been so many bands over the years that have inspired me, from the earliest Slipknot and Soilwork records to a ton of modern day bands. I love all different genres and have a lot of respect for anyone who gets out there and tries to show the world their art. It would be a 30-page article if I was to tell you from start to finish, but there are a lot of bands that have inspired and continue to inspire me.
Who are your favorite up-and-coming bands?
Fizzy Blood, The Temple, Black Peaks, Black Foxes, Sweat Lodge.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you, anyone, that has shown us support, it means the world to us. And if you haven’t heard of us before, where the f*ck have you been [laughs]?
While She Sleeps will perform at Yugong Yishan on July 28. Tickets are RMB 260 at the door or RMB 180 in advance. For more information, click here.
Photos: Thrash Hits, Wikipedia
