Sleepkit Release Chaos on “Oxygen On The Autobahn”
Sleepkit is a band that can genuinely be described as mind-expanding; from the nucleus of their songwriting to the texturally-ornamented arrangements, they manage to imbue each aspect of their music with a sly veneer of otherness.
Initially more frantic (and loud enough to piss off their neighbours so much that the working title was “Doug Anger”) the band streamlined a recorded jam, refining the vibe, layering in texture and melody until “Oxygen On The Autobahn” emerged. The title was chosen as a nod to Jean-Michel Jarre’s lush 1976 synth opus Oxygène, after founding songwriters Marie Sulkowski and Ryan Bourne realized it was formative for both of them; a staple for respective family trips – Bourne’s camping off the Transcanada and Marie’s actually ripping down the Autobahn.
With producer Scott Munro (Preoccupations, Chad VanGaalen) at the helm, the track feels juicy and propulsive yet somehow austere – it’s heavy but sibilant, with a driving bounce that lives in a kind of Paradise Garage of the mind; it’s like cruising inside an ecstatic fever dream on a mythical Autobahn.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! We are Sleepkit, a psychedelic synth-pop group hailing from Mohkinstsis/Treaty 7/Calgary – a quartet of multidisciplinary artist pals Ryan Bourne (Chad VanGaalen, Ghostkeeper), Marie Sulkowski (Texture Twins), Joleen Toner (Crystal Eyes) and Eric Hamelin (Ghostkeeper).
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
“Oxygen On The Autobahn” is our blissed-out post-disco anthem to the ecstatic church of non dualist dancing – inspired in part by a night at Berghain in 2016 and in part by Marie & Ryan’s shared love of Jean Michel Jarre. From our new record Camp Emotion, out this fall on Aubox Records.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
Often Marie or Ryan come with a musical idea, a song, or a piece of a song we flesh out in our home studio. Then usually the principal composer pens the lyrics, or if the music is co-written we work together, line by line, tweaking things together as we go. The music for “Oxygen” came out of a loud, frantic full band jam that pissed off our neighbours so much its original working title was “Doug Anger”.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
Hmm let’s see. Well, we’re anticipating an industry bidding war/feeding frenzy for a piece of the Camp Emotion action, multi-platinum record sales, and a subsequent worldwide stadium tour – we’re basically looking to each own a castle by this time next year. But no at this point we’re having tons of fun collaborating on the music video singles, the first of which (“Oxygen On The Autobahn”) was created by our very own synth witch/designer Jo Toner. We’ll be rolling out a new video every few weeks until Camp Emotion drops. Watch for “Peace Of Nothing” – out July 30, 2024!
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
A big one for us was Calgary’s Sled Island Music Festival in 2017, where we performed as direct support for psychedelic synth-rock pioneers Silver Apples. Simeone [Cox] played an ecstatic, otherworldly set that was as fresh and iconoclastic as ever. It was an education.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
Shoutout to our labelmates Phantom Orchid! Top-tier minimal synth-pop – check out their wonderful T Rex cover off their latest offering, Pure Mother – over at aubox.com.