Mission To Sleep awaken with ‘April Doom’
The Boston alt-rock band releases seismic new single February 25
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Photo Credit: Sean Guaraldi
Debut EP ‘Post Youth’ set for release in March
BOSTON, MA [February 25, 2022] -- A singular musical vision, like most things in life, can grow louder and more impactful with the right collaboration, taking what was conceived internally and augmenting it through new ideas and a wider spectrum of involvement. For Mission To Sleep, the Boston alt-rock quartet launched in 2020 by songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Rob Wu, becoming a proper band has helped evolve its sonic template from seed to stem. The first fruit of that labor arrives Friday, February 25, when Mission To Sleep releases a seismic new single titled “April Doom.”
An impactful single about the different stages of emotion experienced after the death of a loved one, “April Doom” sets a mighty tone – both thematically and musically – for the band’s debut EP, March’s Post Youth. Across its four tracks are an amalgam of styles and sounds that incorporate elements of post-rock, indie, post-hardcore, ambient cinematic soundscapes to Mission To Sleep’s alternative and hard rock foundation. And “April Doom,” with its tidal wave of guitars and emotive undertow, pushes boundaries within the band even further.
“This EP is called Post Youth because each song is written about an issue I didn't deal with while growing up,” Wu says. “Writing these songs over the last several months has been remarkably therapeutic as it gave me the opportunity to take a look in the mirror and pull these underlying issues to the surface. More specifically, ‘April Doom’ is about losing a loved one to cancer and each section of the song actually corresponds to a different stage of grief: depression, anger, denial, and acceptance.”
Crafting a musical journey through those emotions across nearly five minutes is no small feat, but Mission To Sleep’s now fully-realized creative vision is in part the result of the band rounding out with a trio of new members that bring their own talents to build upon Wu’s foundation: Guitarist Jeff Kuznezov, bassist Justin Viveiros, and drummer Jon DeSousa.
The combined foursome show off an impressive batch of musical DNA that extends back to their previous bands and projects, like Keep Me Conscious, Que Sera, Goddess of My Religion, Echoes of Petra, ColorGrave, She Rides, The Year Million, Marianas, Rival Cinema, and others. Add in mixing and mastering of the EP by Eric Mitchell, who recently mastered the forthcoming GlassJaw triple vinyl box set and acts as the hardcore legends’ touring front of house sound tech, and the players involved show a heightened sense of accomplishment.
“We've all known each other for 10-plus years and had always admired each other's bands,” says Wu. “In fact, Jeff and I have tried working together a few times over the last decade but nothing ever came to life. When he and I started talking again last year, we were both in similar head spaces, both creatively and personally, so it just made sense to bring him in as a collaborator. When we added Justin and Jon, it became very clear we had a group with a collective drive and passion to turn this into something beyond a solo project. We're already excited about writing new music together.”
But not before showing off the work that has been put in over the past several months, a trying time for any collaborative unit navigating life in the pandemic age. But Wu’s long-standing friendship with the newest members of Mission To Sleep instantly paid off, and the chemistry within the group elicits that of a veteran collective. That sentiment rings clear in the ambitious “April Doom.”
“Last year, Jeff and Justin brought in a really dark verse idea,” admits Wu. “They're both brilliant at leaving space sonically which allowed for my vocals to be more intimate and moody. When we finished that verse, the rest of the song took shape rather quickly and organically.”
Wu is effusive with his praise of his new collaborators: “Jon hits hard and with a lot of intent. He brings a punk/hardcore drumming energy to the group that gives our songs a lot of intensity. Justin knows exactly when to dig in or lay off with his bass and his tone is so dialed in – it really brings the rhythm section to life. Jeff just writes really beautiful leads that have so much emotion and complement my vocals and guitars very well. He's a really tasteful player. They all are.”
The band hopes others will soon share their music with the same passion, enjoying it, dissecting it, and becoming intimate with its various sonic layers that help propel it out of the speakers. For “April Doom,” it’s glacial weight allows it to touch on several different genre labels and affiliations, without settling into any specific one.
“We've spent a lot of time writing and crafting, pouring our souls and energy into this EP... we think it will resonate with a lot of people,” Wu concludes. “We'd also like to write another EP this summer. We're all itching to get in a room together, crank some amps, and just let it all out.”
Media Contact: Please direct all press inquiries to Mission To Sleep at missiontosleep@gmail.com or Michael Marotta at michael@publisist.co.
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Mission To Sleep is:
Rob Wu: Vocals and guitar
Jeff Kuznezov: Guitar
Justin Viveiros: Bass
Jon DeSousa: Drums
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‘Post Youth’ production credits:
All songs written, performed, recorded and produced by Mission To Sleep
Produced and recorded by Rob Wu
Mixed and mastered by Eric Mitchell
Artwork by Rob Wu
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Mission To Sleep bio:
When Mission To Sleep began crafting their debut EP Post Youth in late 2021, it quickly became songwriter and producer Rob Wu's therapeutic outlet. “It's titled Post Youth because these songs resurface and confront past issues I never came to terms with,” Wu admits. The introspective EP, out March 2022, dives deep into themes of death, self-harm, and depression, yet subconsciously leaves listeners with an underlying feeling of hope and acceptance.
Sonically, the Boston-based quartet blends elements of post-rock, cinematic ambience, and post-grunge into a sound that is simultaneously colossal yet delicate. Each song is deliberately crafted by guitarist Jeff Kuznezov, bassist Justin Viveiros, and drummer Jon DeSousa while multi-instrumentalist singer Rob Wu juxtaposes the tidal wave of sound with a vocal delivery that teeters between breathy vulnerability and post-hardcore aggression. The result is an aural experience that is equal parts heavy, dark, raw, and uplifting.
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‘April Doom’ single artwork:
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Early media praise for ‘April Doom’:
“Powerful, engaging, and equally evocative. A flowing hybrid of hard rock, alternative, and post-grunge that is grounded and reflective, yet biting and punchy.” _UNXIGNED
“Heaviness paired with great atmosphere. I love this.” _York Calling
“Beautifully crafted with sharp and strong production on all technical fronts.” _Destroy/Exist
“Vocals drift beautifully; the bass is killer; soaring lead guitar adds an overarching lift… just a great song.” _RMP Magazine
“There’s no denying the emotional power of the vocals.” _Girl at the Rock Show
“There’s an intensity and a powerful ambience here. What a massive sound.” _Common Sense
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Media Contact: Please direct all press inquiries to Mission To Sleep at missiontosleep@gmail.com or Michael Marotta at michael@publisist.co.
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