Wild At Heart

"Naturally, we are inclined to be so mathematical and calculating that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing... Certainty is the mark of the common-sense life; gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, we do not know what a day may bring forth. This is generally said with a sigh of sadness; it should rather be an expression of breathless expectation"

-A quote from "My Utmost for His Highest"


This solidifies everything I've done with my life. I left home at 20 to start an unknown music career in LA, which led me to Oh, Sleeper. Had I never left, staying within the comforting walls of my parent's home, I would not have been ready for the physical, emotional, and spiritual battles to come. Understanding and preparing me for these battles will lead me to the man I hope to become; the man who will let the world feel his weight and who will make an impact.

Uncertainty is the very thing that has slowed me down and has kept me from being what I NEED to be. Never again will the mystery of my future stop me from becoming what I am meant for. By accepting that I know nothing of my future, I also accept that my future is in God's hands. He is the only one that can decide what I am here for and what I need to do. NOT me.

This takes me to what I have based my life upon: drumming. My talent was not by my own doing, however, it was by God's grace alone that I have been blessed with my gift and the position I have been put in. If I wasn't meant to be here, I wouldn't be here, plain and simple.

I am seeking God and I am finding him. Never have I felt his presence at this magnitude. Finally I am doing something right.

-Matt Davis

Oh, Sleeper - SOTM Studio Blog (Part 2)

Oh, Sleeper - SOTM Studio Blog (Part 2)

Oh, Sleeper - SOTM Studio Blog (Part 1)

Oh, Sleeper - SOTM Studio Blog (Part 1)

Writing update.

Matt and Shane here. We are snowed in Texas and have been nonstop writing stuff for 2 weeks now. This is what we do....

Matt working on MIDI drums.





Shane covered in Instruments





This is what our songs look like in MIDI form haha.





You see here that Songs 1,2,4 and 5 ARE DONE!





Til Next time!

love shane

I'm the NEW DRUMMER of OH SLEEPER!

Dudes-

The secret's out! My name is Matt Davis, I'm 21 and I'm from California. Here's how it happened: Right before Ryan announced he was leaving OS, my best friend Derek heard about it and called me right away to inform me. I never thought I would have a chance at being OS's drummer, considering the 1,000,000 other guys who probably messaged the dudes and sent in their audition vids. But by divine intervention, I had contacted Shane and he got back to me and asked for my number. It pretty much went from there; the dudes and I started talking on a regular basis about EVERYTHING; they had a ton of questions for me and vise versa.

To make a long story short, I flew out to Austin, TX and the dudes picked me up on their way to some shows with Our Last Night and Saosin. I had never seen OS, OLN, or Saosin so I was PUMPED. After those shows, we went back to their home town in Fort Worth. We jammed for about three days; we played some stuff from When I Am God, but the main thing was to try and get some new stuff written. As well as being able to play their songs, the most important aspect that the dudes were looking for was to see what my writing style was like. So they tossed a bunch of riffs at me to see what I came up with. We had exchanged some music before I flew out which made it a little easier but I still had a lot of writing to do. I also couldn't play a lot of the hard drum parts that I wrote haha... Kind of embarassing..

On the last night I was there, all of us went out to dinner. Ryan came and had me take a knee in the place and knighted me as the new drummer of OS. It was hilarious! I've never been more stoked for anything in my life. I've been playing drums for about 9 years and I've finally got what I've been waiting for...

I'm so excited for everything to come; I'm moving to Texas in January and we're gonna get down to business. There is SOOOOO much to do before we hit the studio and start the tours for '09. I hope all you guys are ready!!! This next album is gonna KILL!

If you guys wanna come say hi or if you have any questions, hit me up!

www.myspace.com/mattdavisdrum

-Matt Davis

Oh, Sleeper Worldwide

Success Is Relative

I've been thinking a lot about success lately. Mainly just the definition, and how it means different things to different people. I meet people everyday on tour who seems to think that Oh, Sleeper has "made it". I just laugh to myself, because I'm nearly 25 years old and sometimes I find it hard to do something as simple as pay for my cell phone. When I was learning how to play the guitar at 16, success in music meant "successfully writing a song" or "successfully playing a show where at least one person came to the show".  The longer that I do this and the older I get, I begin to realize that my concept of success has changed drastically.  Maybe that's a bad thing, or maybe that needs to happen in order to push myself to achieve future goals? I'm not really sure. 

At this point, I've realize that success has NOTHING to do with how talented you are, nor how hard you work. I play in a band with 4 of the most talented and hard working guys I've ever met in my entire life. They are my brothers. And my best friends. And I'm constantly seeing bands form and become "successful" literally over night. Not that these bands aren't talented or hard working, but it seems to be more of a fad than anything. I'm one of the most competitive people that I know, and I'm starting to realize that worrying over album sales and plays on MySpace only make me jaded and resentful towards music. I don't wanna become that guy, but with my personality it's nearly impossible. I'm a "numbers guy". I'm constantly trying to think of new ways to sell MORE merch, and to get MORE kids at our shows, and to sell MORE records, and to get MORE MySpace plays. But I'm afraid this is a battle that I can't win, because like I said before....none of those things are based on talent or work ethic. Which leaves me with the question, "WHAT and WHO determines those things?" 

I have so much respect for bands who can consistently draw large crowds of people all across the country. That is a very difficult thing for us to do. It seems to almost be effortless for some bands to sell out shows and to sell tons of CDs and merch. I don't believe that Oh, Sleeper is a trendy band, and we certainly aren't a MySpace hype band. We've literally had to work our ass off for every album sold and fan we've ever gotten, which rules. I think we also appreciate our fans more than most bands because of that. We have a very real and personal connection with our fans, and I wouldn't trade that for any amount of money in the world. It's just discouraging sometimes, because I've put my entire life on hold (family, friends, relationships, jobs, money, etc.) to play music for people, and sometimes we'll be driving in the van and look at each other and ask, "Are we forcing this?" 

A recent example....on 3 different occasions, we were booked a show in McAllen, Texas. The first two times, we weren't able to make it due to unforeseen circumstances that were out of our hands. We got tons of emails and messages asking us to PLEASE reschedule a McAllen show. So finally, this past week we make it to McAllen, Texas. It's a Saturday night, so we're all thinking it's going to be a great show. MAYBE 50 people paid that night, and we played for a hand full of awesome people in a room that holds 1,200 people. I'm not trying to sound ungrateful or downplay the people who DID come to the show, because I met a ton of great people that night who I will remember forever. But it blew my mind that we played a show on a Saturday night in the same state that we live in, and very few people even seemed to care. But it's not just McAllen. I'd say we get those same emails from places all across the country, and the same thing happens nearly everytime. I'm just confused, I guess. What are we doing wrong? What's the secret to drawing people to shows and selling records? That's obviously not all I care about, but it makes things tricky when you're nearly 25, living at your parents house, and simply trying to afford to live!

I apologize if it sounds like I'm complaining. This is why I made this blog, though. For the dudes in this band to spill their guts. And there mine are! All out in the open for everyone to see. I guess I said all of this to say, Success for me is being remembered for doing something great. If Oh, Sleeper is remembered in 10 years for changing someone's life, then please just disregard this entire post. And if you made it this far, thank you for reading my ramblings. :) You guys keep me afloat and I love you for that.

Lucas Starr

Ryan's Farewell

Hello Everyone,
This is Ryan and I wanted to let everyone know a little bit of whats going on with Oh, Sleeper as of late. There has been some very big decisions made regarding the future of the band and I wanted to let everyone know the new developments before rumors start circulating. First of all, I have decided to step down from my position in Oh,Sleeper, this has been something that's been in the works for a long time and I'm very happy to say that my relationship with everyone in the band is just as its always been. I love my brothers in OS and will always cherish my time with them and the band. We have had some wonderful fights, held eachother together through tradgedy and heartbreak and I've had my 4 best friends for nearly anything that might have come up in my life, we've worked together as a team and I've got no regrets for the long hours that we've all put in together. Music/touring has been what I've done since I was 12 years old and I'm so happy to have been able to tour with all my favorite bands and be apart of a record that is motivating and inspiring. I've never wanted to do anything that was a waste of time and I can honestly say that I feel we put out a record that helped kids push through problems and gave them strength and perseverence. Given that this is probably my last time to be able to impact people in this way so I wanted to leave everyone with a few words:
We believe in all of you, I believe you are all capable of great things and have it in you to accomplish what you set out to do. Whether that be college or highschool, getting through a divorce, kicking an addiction or pursuing a dream, we want you to know that OS is on your side and thats why we do what we do, WE believe in you and know that we're in the trenches with you, lets do this together, lets not survive, lets conquer, That's how we were made; to brave the waters and attach ourselves to something greater than what we know. Having that said, I want to be clear that my choice to leave is nothing more than a pressing interest and/or calling that requires 110% of my focus and have no other choice but to remove myself from the band. Our tour with Norma Jean and Haste the Day will be my last tour, please come out and tell me goodbye.

C. Ryan Conley

Oh, Shane

Luke made this thing, I have no idea what I'm doing but I thought I'd write some stuff on here.

We are finally off tour, it feels good to be home and hanging with other friends I have missed. You really get sick of being around the same 4 guys for 9 months outa the year, sharing the same 10ft by 6 foot box on wheels with them... So I'm def enjoying this.

But being home isnt much of an escape either. Since we have been home my guitar has not left my hands. I have been writing nonstop either my solo stuff, or Oh sleeper songs. Im really pushing my limits with the crap Im writing for OS...ridiculous solos and riffs that push my creativity. Ive been singing constantly also, and Im getting so comfortable with my voice. Cant wait to put it on a cd.

OS has taken alot of hits in the past few weeks, Huge terrifying hits. We could use some encouragment. srsly.

yep.
Shane Blay.

Welcome to the Oh, Sleeper Blogspot!

Archers! Thanks for stopping by. We've always been a band who've connected on a very personal level with our fans and friends. Even if it might not always be good news, we always try to explain ourselves and to give you guys a look into our hearts and souls. Even though we are a band who writes songs and plays music, we are also 5 completely different individuals with different opinions and views on life. I hope that this blog will give you and look into our personal lives and the things we go through on a day to day basis as human beings. If you are a judgmental person, then please try to refrain from making any negative comments. After all, this is the 5 members of Oh, Sleeper in our most honest state. Love you guys.

Lucas Starr

Bass - Oh, Sleeper