Digital Cover: Sleeping With Sirens 8th Studio Album ‘An Ending In Itself’
Photos by Travis Shinn
Managing Editor: Chrissy Wang
Words + EIC: Anthony Vu Cao
For GR8T Magazine’s latest feature, we sit down with Nick Martin, guitarist and creative force behind the highly acclaimed rock band Sleeping With Sirens, as they embark on an exciting new chapter with the release of their eighth studio album, An Ending In Itself. Marking a powerful return to the band’s roots while embracing growth, reflection, and resilience, the record showcases the emotional intensity and soaring melodies that have defined Sleeping With Sirens for more than a decade. Produced by renowned producer Will Yip, the album explores themes of hope, healing, and perseverance, resonating deeply with longtime fans and new listeners alike.
In this exclusive interview, Nick opens up about the creative process behind An Ending In Itself, the band’s evolution, life on the road, and what this new era means for Sleeping With Sirens as they continue to shape the landscape of alternative rock.
“An Ending In Itself” is a powerful title. What does it represent to you personally, and why did it feel like the right name for this chapter of Sleeping With Sirens?
It’s the ending of a trilogy of albums - How It Feels To Be Lost, Complete Collapse, and now AEII. Kellin felt like it was a great title to wrap up the trilogy in a really positive light. The ending of this era, the beginning of a new.
This album reunites Sleeping With Sirens with Rise Records. How does it feel to return to a label that played such an important role in your early career?
It was something we had been pondering on for a long while and even not being on Rise, we’ve always maintained an incredible relationship together. It only felt right to go back to the start and have a full circle moment. If there’s anyone that knows, understands, and loves the band - it’s Rise Records.
Producer Will Yip has worked with some of the most influential alternative bands of the last decade. What did he bring to the creative process that helped shape the sound of An Ending In Itself?
Will Yip has such an incredible ear and is so well rounded when it comes to music. He’s fully immersed in punk rock, hip hop, alternative, etc. It only made sense to work with someone with that kind of understanding of music. Obviously, we are huge fans of every record he has worked on, but he approaches every band differently and we appreciate what he brought out of us. I can’t say enough amazing things about him. He’s someone I consider a brother now.
The record seems to embrace the spirit of Let’s Cheers to This while reflecting the wisdom and experiences you've gained over the years. How did you balance nostalgia with evolution?
I think the balance comes from none of us wanting to recreate something that already exists. We are always inspired by nostalgia and “nostalgic” bands, so that naturally comes out in the creation process without having to think about it. It’s engrained in our DNA. That’s where that nostalgic sound comes out, but it still feels fresh because it’s with current ears.
Many of the songs explore themes of hardship, resilience, faith, and hope. Were there any particular life experiences that inspired the emotional core of this album?
For me, personally, the loss of my grandfather the morning we started day 1 of this album with Will Yip was a huge moment for me that inspired the writing process. For Kellin, he had such a heavy couple years, but found so much light at the end of these various tunnels he was going through. We experienced some heavy life moments, but found the silver linings along the way, which really gave the message of hope throughout the album.
The title track encourages people to acknowledge their struggles rather than hide them. Why was it important for you to address vulnerability in such an honest way?
It’s important because that’s how we evolve as humans in a positive way and also practice empathy with others. That’s how we connect as humans. It’s this common thread that runs through us all and helps lift each other up along the way. The beauty of music, really. And the beauty of that song.
"Paralyzed" has been described as one of the heaviest songs on the record, drawing inspiration from bands like Thrice, The Used, and Haste The Day. What was it like revisiting those influences and channeling them into a modern Sleeping With Sirens track?
Again, it’s just something that’s in our DNA. We are consciously (and subconsciously) inspired by what we love listening to. It just comes out of thin air and then you’re able to look at it objectively later and hear/feel those influences.
Songs like "God In My Head" tackle questions of faith and uncertainty. How do you approach writing about deeply personal subjects while keeping the message relatable for listeners?
Kellin does such a tremendous job of writing from his heart, but also from an angle that people can interpret on their own and relate to something in their lives. When I hear that song, it relates to something in my life that’s entirely different than Kellin’s. I don’t think he writes to consciously have something be relatable, he just does that naturally with his lyrics & emotions. It’s a talent I wish I had. Hah!
Tony Pizzuti officially joins the band on this album after years as a touring member. How has his presence influenced the chemistry and creative dynamic of Sleeping With Sirens?
Tony is such a malleable player. He’s inspired by so many different styles of music and he’s so quick at what he does. We can tell him to write something in the direction of this and that - and he does it with such ease. It just comes out of him so freely. It’s really incredible to watch in the studio. He’s the best guitar player I’ve ever played with and he only pushes me more and more to be better. I can’t keep up with this guy!
You've built a unique relationship with fans over the last fifteen years, and now a whole new generation is discovering your music through social media and streaming platforms. What has that experience been like?
It’s really jaw dropping to experience. We’re so grateful and fortunate for every single person who listens to our music. No matter what generation, you’re always welcome in the Sirens family. We don’t know how things catch on in the social media world, but we’re definitely not mad about it. I still don’t really know how to use TikTok. Haha!
From With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear to An Ending In Itself, how do you think the band's definition of success has changed?
I think success is such an evolving term for us. Just being here and still doing what we love to do as a career is success in itself. We’ve never been stronger as a family and that’s something you can never put a price on. That’s success to me.
The album closes with "Storm Clouds," which seems to bring the record full circle. What emotions or message did you want listeners to walk away with after hearing the final track?
It’s really such a hopeful song and we felt like there was no better way to end the album. I mentioned that light at the end of the tunnel - Storm Clouds really embodies that and coming out on the other side.
Your music has often served as a source of comfort and connection for fans navigating difficult moments in their lives. What stories from listeners have stayed with you throughout your career?
The stories we hear on a daily basis are what keeps us going. Whether it be from an older or younger generation, those stories are what connects us because we can also relate to them. We love that Sirens has this community of people who relate to each other through their struggles. Makes them feel not alone, including us.
As Sleeping With Sirens enters its eighth album cycle and prepares for major performances including Warped Tour and other festival appearances, what excites you most about the future of the band?
Entering this new chapter with a new album keeps us excited. Like I said, the fact that we’re still able to do this as a career is something that blows my mind on a daily basis. Not knowing the future of the band is exciting, because we’re all open to whatever road gets created for us. It’s worked for us thus far, so we’ll see where this chapter takes us. GR8T
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