With the release of their self-titled full-length debut, Toronto band
Decade of Sleep builds on the energy of their EP Morning Sun with
harder, more mature songs about life, love and everything that gets in
the way. Engineered by Denis Tougas and mixed by John “Beetle”
Bailey, the Juno award-winners capture the energy and sound of
Decade’s live performance while highlighting the complexities hidden
within the songs. From the rousing opening track Sympathy to the
closing ballad Way of the World the eponymous release abounds with
hand claps, harmonies, and its fair share of heartbreaks and
hardships. A throwback to the rock and roll heyday of the seventies
but with its sing-along choruses and danceable beats, this album is
anything but backward thinking. It’s the result of two hard years of
touring and writing but effortlessly shows off how well the band
understands the subtle craft of song writing.
This effortless feeling is carried into their live set where not only
does each member shine individually, but the band’s energy and musical
camaraderie is undeniable. The guys feed off each other’s energy to
deliver a show that exposes the intensely personal essence …
With the release of their self-titled full-length debut, Toronto band
Decade of Sleep builds on the energy of their EP Morning Sun with
harder, more mature songs about life, love and everything that gets in
the way. Engineered by Denis Tougas and mixed by John “Beetle”
Bailey, the Juno award-winners capture the energy and sound of
Decade’s live performance while highlighting the complexities hidden
within the songs. From the rousing opening track Sympathy to the
closing ballad Way of the World the eponymous release abounds with
hand claps, harmonies, and its fair share of heartbreaks and
hardships. A throwback to the rock and roll heyday of the seventies
but with its sing-along choruses and danceable beats, this album is
anything but backward thinking. It’s the result of two hard years of
touring and writing but effortlessly shows off how well the band
understands the subtle craft of song writing.
This effortless feeling is carried into their live set where not only
does each member shine individually, but the band’s energy and musical
camaraderie is undeniable. The guys feed off each other’s energy to
deliver a show that exposes the intensely personal essence of their music but also infects the hearts of the audience with its inherently universal themes. Lead singer Philip Laffin draws people in
with his strong vocals and his charisma radiates out to the rest of
the band and onto the crowd. Drummer Mat Pataki and bass player Eric
Walker are rhythm technicians that move the band effortlessly through
its most unlikely endeavours and always deliver a big pay off. The
finishing touches are added by the distinctive tone and expressive
playing of guitarist Lance Schibler who, combined with Laffin, keeps
the audience connected to the band throughout the show. Although
their pop influences are undeniable, Decade of Sleep write
sophisticated songs that fall naturally into odd time signatures and
intricate rhythmic figures. Add to the mix some rousing drum beats
and sophisticated lyrics and it seems there’s no stadium big enough to
hold them in, but also no room small enough to capture the nuances of
their songs.
Born out the ashes of alt-bluegrass quartet The Skywriters, Decade of
Sleep was formed in London Ontario and has since captured the hearts
and ears of Toronto. They are signed to Canadian indie label Tangents
North Music - home of John Landry and David Francey. They have been
nominated for a Toronto Indie Music Award for best live band; they’ve
had their song “The Lull” from their morning sun EP aired in an
episode of Degrassi TNG; and have played at some of Toronto’s most
storied venues like The Horseshoe Tavern, Lee’s Palace and The Molson
Amphitheatre. The band has a rich pedigree with all members boasting
impressive musical resumes.
Born in Marystown, Newfoundland, Laffin
studied music in Nova Scotia only to give up the glamourous student
life to hone his chops as the front man of a popular east coast band.
He later moved to Iqaluit, Nunavut where he wrote songs under the
midnight sun and captured the hearts of the locals singing his heart
out three nights a week. Guitarist Schibler brings with him a
Humber-college jazz guitar education, along with significant
engineering talent made even sharper from his day job at a successful
Toronto recording studio. Likewise, drummer Pataki has been playing
music since he was a teenager and has become a rising star in the
Canadian engineering scene. Bass player Walker has been playing
professionally in bands since the age of 16 and was the house
guitarist at The Rainbow in Ottawa before he was old enough to drink.
With the album coming out this fall, Decade of Sleep is ready to hit
the road in their first ever East Coat tour. Returning to Laffin’s
roots, the band will be playing shows all the way from Toronto to
Sydney N.S., hitting every large city and small town in between, but
always remembering to stop to enjoy the lights of Montreal, the sweet
sea air in Halifax and the always refreshing east coast hospitality.
