“Listen while you read”
Some bands have a way of showing you exactly who they are the moment they plug in and it’s pure connection. For California’s own Easy Sleeper, that story is one of heart, friendship, and the kind of chemistry that only comes from truly loving what you do. With a sound that blends nostalgia, groove, and emotion, they’ve carved out a space that feels both familiar and refreshing. While they were on tour, they recently came back to El Paso for their second Live From Let Down session and we had the chance to sit down with the band to talk about their journey, their growth, and their stories. Be sure to check out their latest songs “Water District” and “Infancy.” Easy Sleeper is a band you don’t want to miss!
Connect with Easy Sleeper
What sets them apart
In a world overflowing with new releases, endless playlists, and algorithm-driven noise, Easy Sleeper approaches their craft with an old-school sincerity that’s rare to find. As guitarist and vocalist Douglas Guttenberger puts it:
“No artist is owed an audience’s attention. Modern life seems to demand more and more of us—especially our free time. So, when someone chooses to spend their time with our music, we honor that by pouring all of ourselves into it. We slave over every guitar solo, drum fill, bass line, and vocal melody. If we can get that across to the listener, there’s not much else that can be asked for in life.”
And that’s exactly what makes their sound so magnetic. Every detail feels intentional. Every song feels like a promise that your time won’t be wasted.
Finding Themselves in the Chaos
For Douglas, the song “Subcultured” captures a turning point for the band, a moment of transition, risk, and renewal.
“It was one of the first songs we wrote after moving to Los Angeles in 2020. Obviously, moving across the country is a huge adjustment. At times, that big of a transition can feel daunting. But producing that song so early into our time in LA was energizing. I took the power and tunefulness of Subcultured as a sign that we’d made the right decision.”
The track radiates with that feeling of starting over, the tension between fear and excitement that only comes with betting on yourself.
From Frustration to Formation
Like most great bands, Easy Sleeper wasn’t built on convenience or luck. It was born out of frustration.
“Oddly enough, unhappiness is what pushed me to connect with the rest of the guys,” Douglas says. “I had been in D.C. for two years, playing with different bands but never really connecting. Then one of my bands booked a show with David’s old band, and I could tell he was feeling the same way. Both our projects fell apart, but we started jamming together—and that’s when Easy Sleeper really started to take shape.”
Out of those failures came something special. A new sound. A new identity. A creative chemistry that finally clicked.
Order Meets Chaos
Catch Easy Sleeper live and you’ll immediately understand why fans keep coming back. Their shows are a balancing act between control and freedom. Where tight musicianship collides with raw, unpredictable energy.
“We’re always trying to walk that line between a tight, well-rehearsed efficiency and a looser, organically developed vibe,” Douglas explains. “A perfect balance of chaos and order.”
It’s that exact blend of precision meeting passion that makes every Easy Sleeper show feel alive.
What’s Next for Easy Sleeper
As the band continues to evolve, so does their sound. They’re leaning into new textures, new moods, and new levels of production.
“We’re all really excited about the new songs we’re writing,” says Douglas. “Our sound vocabulary is growing, and we’re becoming more adventurous sonically. Plus, Alex keeps upping his game as an engineer and producer, so the future feels wide open.”
You can hear that growth in their music. Songs that move between tenderness and urgency, discipline and instinct.
Easy Sleeper’s History with Let Down
John: We first met Easy Sleeper a little over a year ago during their first Live From Let Down session, and right from the start, it was clear they were something special. We really have to thank our good friend Miggy from Bloomwave for helping us set this up. Easy Sleeper were friendly, down to earth, and incredibly knowledgeable about both music and production.
What stood out most was their openness to new ideas and their professionalism. They were locked in from the very first take. Easy Sleeper has one of those sounds that sticks with you catchy, groovy, and soaked in nostalgia. There’s a laid back confidence in the way they play, with every part fitting perfectly into the next and they performed so tightly that it felt effortless, and as producers, we barely had to lift a finger.
Their tone, timing, and chemistry made everything come together naturally. Few bands sound this good live without needing much polish. Easy Sleeper just knows their sound, and it shows. When we found out they were coming back through El Paso on tour, we were genuinely grateful they wanted to stop by again. Having already built a connection, this second session felt easy like old friends catching up and creating something special together.
We decided to change things up a bit for their return like adding small aesthetic touches like flowers, experimenting with the lighting, and dialing in a new vibe to match their atmosphere. They sounded even tighter this time around, moving through their set with ease and energy. We were flowing so well that we asked them to play a second song since we were ahead of schedule, and of course, they crushed it! We’re incredibly thankful to have crossed paths with Easy Sleeper. Beyond being talented musicians, they’re just great people, the kind you can sit and talk with for hours about music, life, and everything in between. They know what they want, how to get there, and they do it all with genuine passion. Easy Sleeper is one of those rare gems you don’t want to sleep on. Ha! Get it? Okay, bad joke aside, these guys are the real deal.
Hexx: One of my most cherished memories of owning a studio is without a doubt the day we worked with Easy Sleeper. They were one of the very first Live from Let Down sessions we ever filmed, and when we found out they were coming through El Paso on tour from California, John and I were beyond excited.
With that excitement came a healthy dose of nervousness and jitters, though. Once we learned they were confirmed, we dove straight into research. Listening through their entire catalog, watching their live performances, and realizing pretty quickly that we had an insanely talented band heading our way.
When they finally arrived, all those nerves disappeared almost instantly. The guys were so cool, fun, and down-to-earth that it immediately felt like we’d known them for years. As they began loading in and we started setting up microphones, John and I made our way into the control room to get ready for soundcheck.
That’s when one of my all-time favorite studio moments happened. I pressed the talkback mic and said, “Alright guys, let’s do a quick run-through of the song.” Without hesitation, they launched into Pleasure Thrills.
The second they started playing, John and I just sat there in awe. The sound coming through the monitors was pure professionalism. Tight, dynamic, and full of life. We looked at each other and grinned, soaking in the moment. We didn’t even bother touching the faders or adjusting levels. Fuck, they were that good!
I’ll never forget that moment.
Final Thoughts
Easy Sleeper isn’t just a band; they’re a reminder that music is still sacred and something worth crafting, sweating over, and giving your full self to.
In a time when everyone’s scrolling past faster than ever, this band slows things down just enough to remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place.
