Gathering around for a concert with these guys feels like hanging out with friends. Brad, Andrew, Drew, Dan and Jordan of the Canadian band Awake O Sleeper from Chilliwack, British Columbia started in 2012. The guys started jamming together making changes along the way ultimately finding their sound and running with it. The guys started out playing at churches and youth groups, branching out to bars and other venues. Andrew was only 12 when he started in the band, being the youngest member. The guys shifted instruments and experimented with their musical tastes taking a little time to find their niche musically.
AOS has been steadily gaining attention with their bluesy, alternative rock sound. Having seen the band live for the first time at the Creation Northeast festival in PA in July of 2016, I began to love their music and the band’s warm, relaxing style. The friendly relationship between the band members was evident creating a cozy, intimate feeling when watching them. They perform well both on the big stage and in a low-key acoustic environment.
Having seen the band live for the first time at Creation NE in 2016, I began to love their music and the band’s warm, relaxing style. The relationship between the band members was evident making for a cozy, intimate feeling when watching them perform both on the Fringe Stage and the Acoustic Cafe. This video recording of the band’s song, The Well” around the campfire is a perfect example of the relaxed, peaceful feeling you get watching them perform.
Brad writes most of the lyrics, exuding honesty in his writing that really shines through when they are performing. In an interview the band has said that the more they play a song, the more it means to them. They are actually buying into it more each time they perform it. The lyrics to the band’s songs are heartfelt and meaningful. Brad talks about coming up with the name for the band, capturing the phrase Awake O Sleeper from Ephesians 5. The band feels that the name fits their message well. As far as discography, the band’s initial self-titled album was released in 2013 and their most recent, A River Wild was released in 2015. You can listen to A River Wild on Spotify (see below).
The band has announced on its Facebook page, December 1, 2016 that they are working on new and exciting “things”. What are these “things”? Hopefully, we will find out real soon. You can keep up with the band on their Facebook and Twitter Page, as well as their website.
