sleepazoid Talk ‘New Age’ and Creating Their Own World
Emerging alt-quintet sleepazoid are making a name for themselves with their melodic guitar creations. As they prepare for the release of their sophomore EP, New Age, band members Nette France, Jim Duong and Josef Pabis answered some questions from The Note about working with producer Jack Nigro, the visual side to their music and their love of Adelaide bands.
Interview Tobias Handke // Image Joshua Nai
For those who don’t know a lot about sleepazoid, can you tell us who you are and how you came together?
Jim Duong: We’re an Alternative quintet from Naarm, Australia, who are about to release our second EP, New Age.
Nette Frances: We’ve all played in bands together for many years - Joe and I, George and Luca, Jim and Luca. We all met through a combination of mutual friends, band fill-ins and studio loitering.
Jim: We met (as a group) on December 3rd, 2023 and spent about a year in our own creative bubble, no shows, just writing and getting to know each other.
The band has been called everything from grunge and shoegaze to post-punk and alt-rock. How would you best describe sleepazoid’s sound?
Jim: Between the five of us, we all listen to a broad range of music - we can go from listening to Norah Jones (one of Luca’s GOAT), to talking about Speed’s new release (Joe introduced me to them), or George will show us an artist we’ve never heard of before. We don’t purposefully stray from those labels or genres when we’re making music, but we do make a conscious effort to ensure our output sounds and feels like “sleepazoid”.
You’re preparing for the release of the band’s sophomore EP, New Age. How has the band evolved since the release of Running With The Dogs, and do you think you’ve grown as songwriters?
Nette: When we released our first EP, most of our time as a band had been spent in the rehearsal room. Since then, we’ve spent a lot of time touring and playing shows together, going through life changes, etc., which I think has deepened our friendships and understanding of one another. That in itself has seen us evolve as a group, having the trust and familiarity that gets built over time as you go through new experiences together.
Jim: We’ve also gotten better at listening to each other and what our respective parts contribute to a song. Just because there are three guitars doesn’t mean there should be three guitars playing.
The band self-produced their first EP, but this time, you’ve roped in Jack Nigro (Sonora Studios). How did this collaboration come about, and how did he help achieve what you wanted during the recording process?
Joe: We have worked with Jack [on] past projects and always loved how seamlessly he fits into the collaborative process. He listens and is so respectful and lovely when it comes to handling something as delicate as these songs - he is also a WIZARD on Pro Tools, and nine times out of ten if he has an idea, it will be a good one.
I think either Nette or I sent him a text and asked if he’d be down to work with us, and he flew down to Melbourne a month or so later to do some Pre-Pro and hear the songs. He was able to bring these songs to life in a way that feels like the perfect balance between being there in the live room with us and having enough sparkle and finesse that it translates to a recorded version of the songs.
You recorded the EP at Jack’s Sonora Studios on the New South Wales central coast. Did making the EP in a new environment have any impact on the record, or was it just nice to be on the coast making music?
Joe: No, it didn’t impact the overall sound of the record; however, being away at the central coast meant that we were able to fully dive into the recording process and finesse each part - no one had work or other commitments - we were 100% locked in.
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The band has released several singles from the EP, with the most recent being the title track, which is about a breakup. When writing these types of songs, is it hard to be so vulnerable and open?
Nette: Sometimes it’s hard, but not as much during the writing process because I’m either working on something myself or with the others, who I’m comfortable being open with. I do struggle in interviews sometimes when I’m asked specifically what a song is about - but I feel that across the board, even the less personal ones. I have to remind myself that it’s not crucial for the listener to know the source experience or idea behind every lyric - it doesn’t change what the song means or how it makes you feel listening to it.
I also want to mention ‘Fig Tree’, which has to be one of the grooviest tracks I’ve heard in a long time. What can you tell me about the creation of that song?
Nette: Thank you, that song came together quite quickly. I only have a few stanzas that get repeated throughout, so we relied a lot on layering and dynamics.
Jim: I was listening to Weird Fishes/Arpeggi - a lot.
The band has also released a music video for ‘New Age’ shot by Nikola Jokanovic, who has directed several of your music videos. How did your relationship with him come about?
Joe: Honestly, we were just massive fans of Nikola’s work with dust, dogworld and Poltergeist 9000. We sent him a DM and jumped on a call to discuss the possibility of working together, and we all clicked pretty instantly. He came to spend a week with us in Melbourne and crashed on my couch while we were filming the videos – we call that the Nikola Housemate simulator – and it was the best time. We were able to completely trust his vision and instincts, and are so happy with how they turned out.
What does he bring to the band, and how important is the visual aspect for sleepazoid?
Joe: I’m obsessed with artists who have a strong visual identity and create a world for their audience to dive into - think The Marias, Charli XCX and Magdelena Bay. One of our main goals with this EP was to create a zoid universe that people could deep-dive into - both sonically and visually. Nikola was able to create this visual world in a way that felt authentic to who we are and the music we create, whilst also adding his own flair and stylistic choices.
Nette: Nikola is crazy talented. He directed, filmed, edited and colour graded all the videos - with assistance in lighting from Joshua Nai - shoutout Josh, who also did our press photography. I think being as hands-on as Nikola meant that he was able to bring to life a very specific and considered vision that feels very true to the band.
It’s been a big couple of years since sleepazoid announced themselves with ‘RWTD’ and ‘RATS’. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned over the past couple of years as a band or as individuals?
Nette: Follow your instincts, be open to new ideas, it’s okay to change your mind, Kia Carnivals can fit more than you’d think, etc.
Joe: All the information is probably in the master tour.
Jim: I probably haven’t checked the master tour.
The band has also announced a national tour that includes a gig at Adelaide’s Ed Castle alongside Placement. Are you fans of Placement?
Joe: The Adelaide music scene is insane right now, so many incredible acts that are coming up and getting recognised across the country. We are massive fans of Placement, we were lucky enough to share a stage with them at a DIY gig in Adelaide last year. Shout out to their new album Insect, I’ve had that on repeaaaat!
Jim: We have to mention other incredible acts from the Adelaide scene, such as The Empty Threats, Grace Vandals, Ella Ion and Twine!
Nette: And Swapmeet!
What can fans expect from a sleepazoid show?
Joe: Three times guitars on volume 11 and Nette shredding the ‘ALICE’ solo. Someone will probably break a guitar string and Luca may forget to bring his drumsticks on stage.
Lastly, what are sleepazoid’s 2026 goals?
Joe: We’re heading overseas in May this year (exciting – keep ur eyes peeled for the announcement) so [the] main goal is to not lose our passports/go bankrupt.
Catch sleepazoid performing with Placement at Ed Castle on Saturday 14 March. Tickets on sale now at moshtix.com.au.
