The Floridian band’s debut album, Crisis Actor, is effectively a “best-of” culled from a decade of songcraft. It’s an arresting, singularly evocative and authentic expression inspired by Pixies, Kate Bush, Talking Heads, and Tori Amos, yet not sounding like any of these – or anyone else.
First formed by Cristina and her bassist sister Alex as teens, Sandman Sleeps reconvened with renewed passion in 2019. In between came spells of separation and togetherness, of depression and exploration, in art school and in various cities and bands. But the sisters missed their unspoken sibling synergy. Enhancing this with drummer Karsten Andersen and guitarist Zack Jones, they embroider songs old and new with honed musicality and diverse life experiences.
The record’s dynamic arrangements and Cristina’s glacial, borderline Bjork timbre lead by the hand rather than beat over the head. There’s a subtle yet insistent power of suggestion in its soaring melodies, lurking basslines, and shape-shifting guitars. Pictures are painted as much by words’ sounds as their literal meanings. Crisis Actor knows no boundaries and never panders, instead of letting us run with its emotional hints to our own destinations, different on every listen.
What led you to become a music artist and what advice can you give to others aspiring to make a hit?
My sister and I grew up in a musical family and were fortunate to have musical instruments around the house. I’ve heard melodies in my head since I was around 7 years old from what I remember and would document them on a cassette recorder. I started playing the guitar when I was 13 years old which is when I really started putting music to the melodies. It was easy to fall into making music and felt like a very natural form of expression. I was really drawn to the physical aspect of music. My advice to others (which I am in no way entitled to give to those aspiring to make a hit) is more so just to create a routine for yourself writing music. I don’t think it is particularly healthy to endeavor a song for the goal to be a “hit.” I think what has always been more important to me is to try and write something which excites me somehow- to make music that is not boring. And if you have a regiment of sitting down and trying to write on a regular basis the creative muscle gets stronger and the more songs you may pump out, which are all more options to see what people resonate with. But I think it is important to get the song out first and then judge it later, otherwise, you’ll be stumping yourself and never get anywhere with it. Making music that is creative and has an atmosphere is my goal first and foremost and then if people like it I know it is successful in two worlds. The more you write the more chances you have of this happening.
In your opinion, how do artists in this industry stay on top of the game when faced with so much competition? What’s the secret to making yourself noticed?
I can’t speak of competition in a very large scale as far as my experience goes but I do think what makes the most sense in every competitive world – it is actually very crucial to not look at it this way but more so in the sense of teamwork. You have your band which is your immediate family and team and then connecting with other bands who mesh well with your sound and maybe if you’re lucky personality wise too really great things can happen and very quickly sometimes. Sandman Sleeps has experienced this first hand. We have a couple of friends/ bands in the music scene here we book shows with often and one of them is forming a record label now. We’ve organized events together and have introduced fans to one other’s music. It is expanding the scene. It’s a great thing to support each other. I never really understood this concept of competition when first of all how can we compare music when it is preference. Also, I think you’re keeping yourself in a box if you close yourself off to this type of teamwork and connectivity with other bands, etc. I love being a hermit when I can but have realized the importance of teamwork early on.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
I admire Vic Chesnutt, Kristen Hersh, XTC, Neil Young, Nina Simone, Bjork, Fiona Apple….there’s more…
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”?
I have always been in music for as long as I can remember. I do remember going to this one restaurant/bar dimly lit when I was maybe ten or eleven with my mom and dad. It was a pretty intimate spot and the stage was small and had colored lights on the rock band playing. I just remember feeling the sound in my body, it was pretty Loud and I just loved the feeling. That’s when that exact thought plunged into my mind- “I want to do that!” I have no idea who the band was.
What is your current music project about?
I think Sandman Sleeps is about energy and entertaining a crowd meanwhile with music and songwriter which is exciting/interesting to us. If we are loving it and getting into it on stage it becomes something like a contagious smile. Songwriting and performance have been our main focuses and as far as attracting any sort of attention we hope that even if the songs don’t fit someone’s taste (which many times they won’t) then we still hope to entertain you with our live performance.
What makes you nostalgic?
Music and smells
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
Bojack Horseman
If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
I wish I didn’t always have to smile when I’m nervous
What’s your most expensive piece of clothing?
My rhinestone shoes. They are $200
If you could learn any language fluently what would it be?
Portuguese