On this episode of March Forth with Mike Bauman, Mike chats with Bran Merritt of Sleep Nation!

Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Sleep Nation is an alternative rock duo comprised of Merritt (vocals, guitar) and Joey Lauretta (drums). Initially founded in 2010, Sleep Nation has made a name for themselves in the Music City with their own style and energetic live shows.

After becoming a duo in 2020, Sleep Nation has been hard at work releasing new music. In September 2023, they dropped their sophomore album entitled AND THEN THERE WERE 2, their first release as a two-piece. That album helped them get nominated for "Best Rock Album" and "Best Duo of the Year" at the 2024 Josie Music Awards, which were held at The Grand Ole Opry House in October.

On November 20th, Sleep Nation released their new album entitled Deadbeat Disco. The album features contributions from Sleep Nation's friends and fellow talents in the local Nashville music scene, including production by Jonn Nicholson of E.Y.E. Productions, engineering by Tony Grissom, and backing vocals from Kris Jackson (All the Tension) and Not Your Nails. The vinyl for Deadbeat Disco was also pressed at The Vinyl Lab in Nashville.

In this episode, Bran talks with Mike about the making of Deadbeat Disco, including working with Nicholson and E.Y.E. Productions, the inspiration for the album's title and sound, getting his friends in the Nashville music community on the record, working with The Vinyl Lab in Nashville for LP pressings, and more.

This episode of the podcast also features the title track off Deadbeat Disco from Sleep Nation, available where you get your music!

Follow Sleep Nation on Instagram @sleepnationtv. To stay up-to-date on Sleep Nation, visit https://www.slpntn.com/.

Follow Mike on Instagram @marchforthpod. To stay up-to-date on the podcast and learn more about Mike, visit https://linktr.ee/marchforthpod.

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