Sleeping At Last!
http://www.sleepingatlast.com
by Trisha Bleau

CS: How did your group form? Did you start out together or did you pick up players along the way?

Jason: Well, Ryan and I have been playing guitar together since we were about 13. We started a couple bands, but nothing to write home about. Then we started another band (Jaundice) and we were playing out and recorded a little 3 or 4 song thing. But things just didn't click between our drummer and bass player at the time. Then we had Chad play with us and Dan not to long after that and everything seemed to work out from there.
Ryan: Jason and I have been playing together since we both got guitars for Christmas one year. We played in a few local bands, but the music that we were playing, just didn't feel right. So, we picked up Chad on New Year's Eve (2 and a half years ago) & Dan a few months later.
Chad: I started in Jaundice (Jaundice is our old name) on New Year's Eve at the final show of the now deceased True Tunes in the town that we live in, Wheaton, IL. I had only been playing for about 3 months prier to playing the show and It was one of the scariest moments of my life.
Dan: I'm the most recent addition to the band. I joined about two years ago. Chad joined about 2 and a half years ago. The other guys have been playing together for a long time in other bands.

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting?

Chad: Our main focus is people in general. We try to keep our heads straight (which my Mom does very well for us). It's hard sometimes though because you are going onto a stage where people are all looking and some are searching for something more then just a show. It's an amazing gift to be able to do two things I love the most, ministry and music.
Jason: I would have to say all of the above. Its everyone and anyone that enjoys our music. And we just try and help who ever needs it in any way that we can.
Dan: I suppose if we had to pick one I would say our focus is the lost. One of our goals as a band is to reach people that aren't saved. But I think in reality we strive to reach a lot of different people on different levels.
Ryan: We do our best to reach everyone in a different way. We don't limit our band to just Christian shows; we play bars, venues etc. We feel that in those types of atmospheres, it is a great opportunity to share God's message.

CS: Where did you come up with it your group's name?

Dan: It's from a poem Ryan or Jason read.
Jason: Ryan and I were at a bookshop one day and we were looking around in poetry books. We saw the title Sleeping at Last and we thought the poem was really beautiful. We showed it to the guys and we all thought that it fit our sound very well.
Ryan: Jason and I were in a bookstore one day and we were looking through some poetry books for some idea's for a permanent band name. We were searching for quite a while until finally I said (half kidding) "the next page I turn to will be our name!" and then we saw the title "Sleeping At Last" and from that we thought it stated the exact message that our band is trying to send. "My soul finds rest in God, for he is my salvation" Psalm. 62:1.
Chad: Hmm... Well, Jaundice really didn't fit us very well anymore. Dan and I really didn't have anything to do with that name and we really didn't like it so we spent a long time thinking of names and we had a few that were umm..
pretty interesting.

CS: Where do you see the band in five years? Ten? The future?

Jason: Well I would really like to go on the road with the band and tour for a while. Hook up with the right label. And just keep on writing music that fits our life at the time and that we enjoy to play.
Chad: I hope to be still in the band and I am hoping that we will get signed to a good label. I really want to be signed so that we can we can go on tour. I am also hoping to get married someday God willing and start a family.
Dan: Music is about the only thing I can see myself doing for a living. That's really what I hope to happen. I just want to make this band work and be able to make a career out of it.
Ryan: Hopefully we will still be sharing our love for music together.

CS: How has the group changed since you started out?

Jason: I really think that we are all a lot closer now. They are all some of the best friends that I have and ever will have.
Ryan: I've really gotten a chance to know each of the guys very well. So, that has really been a blessing. I love 'em all.
Dan: I think we all realize now what a blessing God has given us to be able to do this. He has really shown us that this is something he wants us to be doing.
Chad: I feel that as a band we have become much closer and more like a family. We have been through a lot together. We have gone though a lot of changes musically and have grown from our experiences.

CS: What is your favorite verse in the Bible and why? Same question, but for book of the Bible.

Ryan: One that comes to mind is James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." It's something to keep in mind always. And my favorite book(s) are Psalm and Job.
Chad: I would have to say that I really like 1 SAMUEL 16:7 "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but LORD looketh on the heart. I think that that says so much. My favorite book in the Bible would be either Psalm or Proverbs.
Jason: I really enjoy the whole Bible so it would be hard for me just to pick a few verses.
Dan: I really like proverbs 3:5. It's the perfect thing to remember when life gets so confusing. Plus it always reminds me of the sixpence none the richer song that uses it for lyrics.

CS: What is the biggest thing you have learned from touring and ministering through music?

Chad: I think one thing that really keeps us going is being able to reach out and just be a friend to people. It really has been cool because we play for churches clubs, Venues and houses. It is really awesome when you can see how God uses you by letting us play those places that aren't Christian oriented places because we have been able to meet and become friend with a bunch of people that aren't Christians and when they start asking questions about our faith everything becomes so worth it.
Dan: Your attitude makes a huge difference. If you're a jerk to people you can guarantee that they won't like your music and you won't accomplish anything ministry wise. But if you are generally friendly to people they notice that something is different about you and hopefully your actions alone
can be a powerful witness for Christ.
Ryan: On as well as off the stage, kindness must be genuine.
Jason: I have learned to be open to all different kinds of people. I really enjoy meeting new people and learning about them and what's going on in their life.

CS: You have played with so many different groups, and some of them have been pretty big. What is the most important thing you have learned from them?

Jason: I have learned that you must always stay humble and never to think that your better than anyone. Some bands we have played with have shown me that they are all very humble and have great attitudes and I think you will get a lot farther if you try to live like this in anything that you do.
Ryan: Well, I really enjoyed Switchfoot's company, they are all really nice guys and they were very supportive with our band. Attitudes make a big difference.
Dan: After we played with switchfoot I think is when we really started to realize what a difference your attitude makes. They were a great example of a band that we want to be like. Genuinely kind hearted.
Chad: We have been very blessed to play with all the bands that we have. Its really like a big family. For example when we met Dear Ephesus and Appleseed Cast at the show we were so nervous playing that show but once we got there and hung out with them we had such a great time and it was awesome to get to play with them. Two of the bands that I really enjoyed meeting and playing with was Viva Voce and Switchfoot. They are all such awesome people.

CS: What is the funniest thing you have seen while touring?

Chad: ooh. We have seen a lot. I think that the funniest things I have seen have been in our own van. I guess the funniest thing would have to be Jason & Ryan. You should see these guys together.
Jason: Well I have a little story for you that actually just happened not to long ago. Dan and I were on our way home from a show and there was a horrible blizzard out side. We decided to stop at a truck stop and get something to eat. So we pulled on in and when I opened to door the wind blew it right out of my hand. It went flying out and looked like it was about to fall right off or something. So we thought nothing of it and went to shut it. But it didn't shut. It was bent so bad that it would not shut. So there we are in the freezing weather and its snowing on us and the wind is blowing and we cant get the door to close. So then Dan had a idea to use our shoe laces to tie the door shut. So we did and it kind of worked. So then we walked on in to the truck stop wet and without any shoe laces and our door to the car hanging off. But I thought to myself.. "I don't care how I look because there is probably going to be only a couple big old truckers in here with mullets and they wont care what I look like." But we walked in and there are beautiful girls everywhere. I was like "eehhhh..." But oh well. Like I had a chance with them anyway. And it went for kind of a funny story anyway. Kind of.. Sorry its so long.
Ryan: We played a show in Indiana, and some people in the crowd decided to get an old acoustic guitar and break it on the floor. Then they took the remaining pieces of the guitar and took turns trying to break it on each other's heads. I think it was to impress there girlfriends or something, but I don't know. I think that would fall into the most interesting things category though.
Dan: Definitely kids beating each other over the head with an acoustic guitar.

CS: What is the biggest thing God has done during one of your concerts?

Chad: There have been so many things that God has done for us while we are playing and before we even go on the stage. There have been many times where we just don't feel like playing and somehow right before we go on something usually happens to cheer us up. It really is amazing to see how He works especially onstage because it's not us up there it's really God.
Jason: Well I was really sick at one of our shows and really worn out and I didn't feel like playing at all. I didn't even feel like walking around. I just wanted to go to bed. But I said a little prayer to myself and I felt fine when we went on. I thought it was one of our better shows actually.. God works in so many ways.. But that is just a small example of one way he worked with me before a show.
Ryan: I think just playing the shows have been all God.
Dan: He always seems to make the smallest shows turn out to be the shows where we get the best connections. We've played shows for like 5 people and it just happens that one of those five people is with a record company or something like that. It helps us to remember that we have to give every show our best effort.

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music?

Ryan: Jason or myself will usually write something little on the guitar that we like, and everyone just adds on from there.
Jason: Same thing Ryan said.
Dan: Ryan and Jason usually will write parts and then we all get together and Chad and I will write parts and then we all work on arranging the parts into songs.
Chad: Most of our ideas comes from just hanging out and just playing what we feel in our hearts.

CS: Who, aside from Jesus, is or has been the biggest influence in your life?

Chad: I would have to say by far it's been my Mom, she has helped us out with everything. She has been a really big part of Sleeping At Last. My Dad has also been a great influence.
Ryan: My Mom has been a huge blessing as well as my Dad.
Jason: I guess I would have to say friends and family. I cant really pick out just one because there are so many.
Dan: I've been reading a lot of C.S. Lewis lately and his writings have completely changed the way I think about my faith.

CS: How do you fill your spare time while on tour?

Ryan: I love to take pictures, listen to music and draw pictures. I also love to write.
Dan: I really love photography and Ryan and I do that a lot. I like to go see movies and just hang out with friends. Just normal stuff I guess.
Jason: Well I think everyone in the band would have to say that I sleep more than anyone they know. Every time we are in the car I fall asleep. But when I am awake I like to draw, read, listen to music, eat. When we are out of the car I like to take walks.
Chad: Well, we usually don't have that much spare time. The only spare time we have has been in the van driving to the shows and we seem to come up with a bunch of things to do. Mostly we listen to music, read, talk, singing while cars stroll by staring and laughing. Sleeping is also a big part of our spare time.

CS: When do you find time for personal worship while touring?

Dan: The cool thing about prayer and worship is you can do it any time and any place.
Jason: We all pray together before every show. And whenever I feel the need to I pray to my self. Car rides to the shows are a very good time to read the bible.
Chad: Before each show we make time to pray and before we start we pray to ourselves.
Ryan: I pray a lot while we are playing.

CS: Have you always had a desire to be in a group like this?

Chad: Actually I have been into sports most of my life and I never would have dreamt that I would have joined a band. I was actually into country music, yes COUNTRY. I wasn't into what we play at all when I started.
Dan: Ever since I was in junior high I've wanted to play in a band and I've been in bands all through high school. It's kind of the only thing I can do well.
Jason: I think I was one of those kids that would always day dream in class about playing in a band.
Ryan: Yeah, I have wanted to be in a band for years before I even played guitar.

CS: Do you find it strange to hear yourself singing on the radio or to see yourself in a video?

Ryan: The first time, It was a little bit silly, but it was also very exciting. I was pretty nervous though, so that kinda took the fun out of it a little.
Jason: It's kind of funny but I enjoy it.
Dan: It's more exciting than strange. It usually doesn't sink in that it's really on the radio.
Chad: It's been a great blessing but yes it is weird to think we are on the radio.

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

Dan: Be Excellent To Each other.
Chad: I would say to follow your dreams and let God guide you. It really is cool when you can put your trust in Him and sometimes things that you could never do happens before your eyes. I guess the thing I would have to say it never lose hope and never stop dreaming.
Ryan: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Jason: Every rose has its thorn. And every cowboy sings a sad sad song. Or I could just let you know to never let anyone tell you that your not good enough for what you want to do. Whatever it is just keep on trying and work hard.