Sleepwalk

21+ event w/ valid ID at Soda Bar - San Diego.

On cathartic fourth album View From The Outside, Sleepwalk take another step from their nu-gaze beginnings towards progressive yet hugely relatable post-hardcore. Five years since their last full-length and with a radically retooled line-up, the Chicago foursome has elevated its "heavy music for the lighthearted" signature with an expanded sonic palette and more cultured creative process.

"The newer stuff dips into sub-genres that weren't explored in the same way before," said guitarist Tyler Gargula. "There's dreamy things that weren't as intricate; more rocky things that are now very clearly rock focused; and even trip-hop on the album's closing track."

Formed in 2015, Sleepwalk built their rep on seamlessly melding the visceral and cerebral. Lush, fuzzy guitars and thoughtful, reflective vocals propelled by hardcore-inflected beats earned comparisons to the likes of Failure, Hum, and Quicksand across a string of increasingly well-received singles, EPs, and albums.

The Deli declared Sleepwalk's third full-length Underneath The Shade "one of the strongest albums of the year," while Stereogum declared their 2024 Out Of Focus EP "phenomenal."

Shows with fellow forward-thinkers like Glassjaw, Thursday, and Nothing spread the word among listeners seeking rock music that challenges tradition while remaining authentic and accessible. Gargula joined founding guitarist/vocalist Ryan Davis in Sleepwalk in 2023, with longtime friends Marcus Johnson (drums) and Vic Ordonez (bass) solidifying the new lineup two years later.

"The chemistry is something I've never really felt before in terms of writing, playing shows, and overall collaboration," offered Johnson. "I've known the guys for a long time, so it just makes sense." In the summer of 2025, Sleepwalk further cemented their next chapter by signing with MNRK Heavy.