Q&A: Seattle-born The Sleepy Haunts Shelving 90s Bubble-Grunge Music with ‘bloom, vol. 1'
INDIE-POP SENSATION HAILING FROM SEATTLE, WA — The Sleepy Haunts, was formed by frontwoman Gillian McMahon after a longing for the band experience post-high school. Making this dream into a reality, the group officially united last January.
While juggling studies and a part-time job at a publishing house, McMahon dreams of a full-time music career and envisions a West Coast tour. Watch for the band in the coming year as they reach to widen their fanbase, and read below to learn more about their music and debut album, bloom, vol. 1.
LUNA: Who are The Sleepy Haunts? How and when was the project born?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: The Sleepy Haunts is an indie pop-rock band from Seattle, WA, born from front-woman Gillian McMahon. After graduating high school and missing playing in a band, Gillian got together her current group of bandmates (after many other substitute musicians) and [they’ve] officially been together since January 2023.
LUNA: How has your music changed within the past few years?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: Since an introduction to ’90s Lilith Fair–style musicians in high school, most of my songwriting has taken on a ’90s nostalgic feel. I used to write more straight up indie-rock, but since listening to more pop-rock musicians, my music has become more "bubble-grunge."
LUNA: Who inspired your music? Who are your biggest influences?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: My biggest influences are Alanis Morisette, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Beach Bunny, and The Regrettes.
LUNA: Could you introduce your favorite singles you've released so far?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: My favorite single we've released is “Peter Parker,” but my favorite song we've released ever is "why do i feel this way?"
LUNA: How did you develop the style of the band? Will you experiment with other genres in the future?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: It wasn't really something I developed — it just came to me. It's the sound that comes out when I write, so I stick with it.
LUNA: Let's talk about bloom, vol. 1. What inspired the EP, and how did it come to life?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: As I started getting more into the music scene and as I left home to go to college, I started discovering my independence and how I fit into my community. A lot of those experiences of responsibility, envy, love, anxiety, etc. … influenced the first part of our upcoming album. It's why we call it bloom, vol. 1.
LUNA: Who produces your tracks? How do you choose which producers to work with? Do you have some dream producers you'd like to work with?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: Originally, we were working with Portland producer Agyei Marshall. Recently, we started working with Aaron Cada (formerly of Beach Bunny), and he produced and mixed "why do I feel this way?" and "standing, waiting." He's who'll produce and co-write our upcoming album.
My dream would be to work with Dan Nigro! I think his work is epic.
LUNA: Music is not your main occupation at the moment. How are you balancing your day job with your music career?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I'm a full-time student and I work a part-time job at a publishing house. Music is what I want to do full-time, and I hope that I'll be able to do so.
LUNA: Have you ever been on tour?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I have never been on tour, but I've been dreaming of doing a West Coast tour for a really long time. I'd love to just go up and down the West Coast.
LUNA: Who's your dream feature?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: Insanely, I'd love to work with Olivia Rodrigo. More realistically, I think it would be awesome to collaborate with Chloe Moriondo or mxmtoon.
LUNA: Where do you see yourself in one year as a musician?
THE SLEEPY HAUNTS: I see myself performing, with new songs on my roster, and hopefully a larger fanbase.
