Review Fix Exclusive: Sleepwoka Talks ‘Together We Are’ And More

Review Fix chats with singer/songwriter Sleepwoka who discusses his origin in music and new single, “Together We Are.”

About Sleepwoka:

London based Ukrainian producer and songwriter, Sleepwoka, returns with another poignant single enthused with uplifting electro-pop soundscapes. Since he burst on the scene just last year, Sleepwoka, has released a string of successful singles gaining the attention of BBC Music Introducing London, Earmilk, Variance and Atwood Magazine.

As Earmilk concluded after his last single, “How I Was wrong”; “Sleepwoka’s music succeeds in pursuing relatable and thought-provoking narratives, with the hopes to make listeners evaluate their everyday lives through intricately crafted electronic music.” The new single, “Together We Are”, perfectly follows suit.

In a time when many of us are feeling disconnected physically from our friends, family and loved ones, Sleepwoka reflects on the resilience of true friendship even if we are spread far and wide. He explains: “Together We Are, is a tribute to all my friends that are scattered around the world. Although we live different lives and rarely see each other, it feels like the invisible connection only grows stronger. It’s a connection that reaches beyond messages on your phone. It’s the feeling that you get when warm memories from the past remind you of the strength of the friendship – which is especially important right now. Whatever this crazy world brings to us, it still feels like we’re in this together and no distance or time can change that.”

Review Fix: How did you get involved in music?

Sleepwoka: I have been playing bass since I was 12 years old in a school band back in Ukraine. Unfortunately, when I moved to a different city for university, music got deprioritized until in 2018 when I decided to create the Sleepwoka project. It has been quite a learning curve, though, because I have never played keyboard and Sleepwoka has a lot of synthesizers in it.

Review Fix: What’s your creative process like?

Sleepwoka: I usually start playing around with melodies and sounds on my instruments. Once there is a small instrumental progression that I find interesting, I try to sketch some vocal melodies for it. After that it’s all about polishing the sound and creating a song structure that fits.

Review Fix: What inspires you?

Sleepwoka: All of my songs are about personal experiences and emotions. Everyday life is what usually inspires me the most. 2020 has been a really weird year in this regard. Emotional intensity that we are currently in definitely influenced and provoked me to write more music than ever.

Review Fix: What does music mean to you?

Sleepwoka: I use music as a way to express my deepest fears and insecurities. It is the only time I can be truly honest with myself and with the others.

Review Fix: How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard you?

Sleepwoka: I describe it as alternative pop with vintage 80s vibe layered with deep and personal lyrics.

Review Fix: How are your live shows different from your studio work?

Sleepwoka: On stage I have a friend of mine playing keyboard and I usually focus on synths, samples and vocals. Liza (she is a keyboard player) plays much more complex piano parts on stage compared to what we have in the studio and the music sounds more keyboard and piano heavy.

Review Fix: What inspired your latest single?

Sleepwoka: “Together We Are” is an ode to 2020. With all the craziness happening around the world, it was still a very important year and a chance to reevaluate how important personal connections are. We might feel quite claustrophobic locked in 4 walls in our apartments, but the hope to see the close ones in person once this madness ends is what should keep us going.

Review Fix: What are your goals for 2021?

Sleepwoka: 2021 is packed with new music with 3 more singles already scheduled and at least 2 music videos in the making. If everything goes as planned, this will be the busiest year in the history of the project.

Review Fix: What’s next?

Sleepwoka: More music and hopefully live gigs as soon the pandemic ends. I really hope that we will have a chance to make a tour in 2022 in the countries where our fans live, but it’s really hard to plan anything at the moment.