Track-by-Track: Sleeper Signal Tell Us ‘Tales of the Misguided Souls’

A product of their surroundings, Sleeper Signal are proud of where they come from. The band resides in Nashville, aka Music City, the place where dreams fly high, but also come crashing down. It’s been an upward trajectory for this quartet, bringing together southern grit and alternative rock fire.

This past fall, the band released their debut full-length album, Tales of the Misguided Souls. It features the single “Gone Together” and signifies a defining moment in the band’s history. The band embodies the essence and authenticity of rock music and the emotions that accompany it. They worked very hard to get to this point, and now they have a 14-track album that embodies all of the hard work they have put in to getting here.

We are joined today by Sleeper Signal lead singer and guitarist William James for an exclusive Track-by-Track rundown, diving deep into the album and the very essence of these songs.

1. “Into the Sky”

“Knowing we wanted to start the album off with a bang, we chose this song as the opener. This was the first of the new songs that we quickly threw into our live set because we loved playing it and were very proud of it. It is definitely one of the most exciting songs out of the new batch, and it goes zero to one hundred right at the start and never lets up.

“These lyrics depict men on a quest, like the Vikings or any sort of band of roaming outlaws. It is a metaphor, really. We liken ourselves, as musicians in pursuit of success, to those who set off to claim distant lands and the treasures they seek. The ‘take no prisoners’ or ‘all for one and one for all’ mindset of past conquerors is often how we have felt while chasing the dream of becoming the next great rock band. We have seen some things along the way, some pleasant, some very scary, and some beyond the pale.

“Ultimately, this song is about recognizing the fearlessness required to pursue a career in music as a travelling band, acknowledging the moments where things went wrong, and trying to correct the course before reaching the destination.”

2. “Gone Together”

“This was the first single we released from the record, which I found interesting for a couple of reasons. This song is the first of ours that starts with the chorus right off the bat, without vocals. There is also no guitar solo or extended jam section. It is one of our few songs that stays very mellow in the verses and pre-choruses. I find it to be one of our most unique tracks, and I think it truly packs a punch.

“We wanted the first new song people heard to make a strong statement about our evolving sound. In many ways, we finally found a signature identity on this record, and ‘Gone Together’ felt like the perfect preview. It opens with loud drum hits that sound like someone beating down your front door with a metal baseball bat. We had a point to prove, and this track delivered it.

“This was one of the first songs I tackled vocally in the studio, and if you listen closely, you can hear my voice pick up velocity and aggression with each chorus. That approach ended up shaping the tone of my vocals across the rest of the album.

“This is easily the most ’90s grunge-sounding song we have ever done, and in many ways, it is a nod to one of our favourite albums of all time, Nevermind by Nirvana.

“Lyrically, ‘Gone Together’ captures moments of confusion and frustration within a domestic partnership. It explores the point where you begin to analyze the damage caused by someone who shows no urgency to change destructive behaviour, and the effect that has on both themselves and those around them. It is a cry for help, a desire to see someone you love do better for themselves, and ultimately, the painful moment when you realize you may have to walk away.”

Sleeper Signal ‘Tales of the Misguided Souls’ album artwork

3. “Better Off Now”

“The structure of this song was heavily debated. There were several different directions we could have gone until we finally landed on the right one. At first, it felt like we were all hearing something different while working it out. Then it clicked.

“This track is a great example of how all our influences can coexist within one musical statement. The verse feels very different from the chorus, the pre-chorus comes out of left field, and the solo section is a beast of its own. But when it all comes together, it makes complete sense.

“All of us contributed to the lyrics, which made the process especially fun. We started with the line ‘We are better off now’ and began telling stories about past relationships. Some ended in tears, some left us wondering where those people ended up, and some still make us laugh. In a way, we were all reinforcing the idea that, no matter how things ended, we were probably better off in the end.

“This is an incredibly fun song to play live, especially for (guitarist) Erik (Zbikowski) and me, since we split the solo section. I take the first half, and he brings it home.”

4. “Tonight (You’re Not Alone)”

“There are some genuinely exciting musical moments in this song. It may be the strongest overall arrangement on the album, moving in several directions while ultimately coming full circle and ending where it began. There is a key change heading into the solo section, which then cycles back through earlier keys before settling again in the outro.

“It keeps us on our toes every time we play it. Despite the driving rhythm, there are plenty of unexpected twists, like a train that makes a few stops along the way but still arrives exactly where it is supposed to.

“The guitar solo was beautifully executed by Erik, who worked closely with (bassist) Leo (Roriz) to make it as melodic as possible. It would have been easy to lean on flashy pentatonic runs, but we chose restraint. A great solo takes you places the vocals cannot, and we wanted that moment to surprise people.

“Lyrically, the song is about standing by someone you love in a situation that is clearly unhealthy. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it does not, but most people can relate to running headfirst into a risky situation driven by passion and the hope that things will somehow turn out right.”

5. “Take Me Home”

“‘Take Me Home’ is the earliest song that eventually made its way onto the album. Leo originally wrote it before the band officially formed, and it was one of the first songs he brought to the group when Sleeper Signal expanded into its current lineup.

“It is funny looking back, because whenever we tried this song live before recording it, something always felt slightly off. I struggled with the melody for reasons I still cannot fully explain, even though it is incredibly catchy. We eventually tabled it in our live performances, but always knew it was strong enough to revisit in the studio.

“That is where the song finally came to life. We built it piece by piece, and I am especially proud of the guitar solo I recorded, which also evolved in stages. We loved the final result so much that we released it as one of the five singles leading up to the album.

“There is a darker undertone here. ‘Take Me Home’ deals with being taken advantage of in any capacity and being left to rebuild yourself afterward. Many people know that lonely and frightening feeling. The power of the song comes from moving past a traumatic experience and standing up again. In that sense, it is a clear message of defiance toward anyone who causes harm to an innocent person.”

6. “Hold On (Ballad for the Misguided Souls)”

“In many ways, ‘Hold On’ was our attempt to write a song with a melody people could chant or sing together. Think about how often you hear crowds singing ‘Seven Nation Army’ or similar anthems at sporting events. That sense of unity was our starting point.

“We pushed the idea further by incorporating instruments that gave the song a world-music feel, including sitar, clay udu drums, chimes, and glockenspiel. Erik even used a custom guitar tuning specifically for this track. I played the hand percussion myself, drawing on experience from my high school and college music studies. We had a lot of fun experimenting, and the sessions were some of the most enjoyable on the record.

“I wrote most of the lyrics, and the song is deeply personal. It is about surviving dark moments, finding strength, and emerging from periods of self-destruction or depression. It is dedicated to anyone who has managed to come out the other side of harmful situations and reclaim themselves.

“The chorus is a gradual build rather than a traditional hook, which is rare in rock or pop music. One of the few comparisons I can think of is ‘The Kill’ by Thirty Seconds to Mars. It felt like a bold choice, and one we are proud of.”

Sleeper Signal, photo by Daniel Howell

7. “One Day”

“This is my favourite song on the album. From the moment Leo shared the acoustic demo, I was completely taken by it. I believe in it so deeply that I tattooed the words ‘One’ and ‘Day’ on my wrists.

“The song emerged during a difficult period for both of us. Leo was dealing with family issues that created anxiety and stress, while I was navigating the unravelling of a relationship I once believed would last forever.

“Out of that came a song rooted in hope and perseverance. ‘One Day’ reflects the desire to believe that better times are ahead, even when things feel overwhelming. The lyric ‘I’m doing fine for now, but one day things will turn our way’ is a statement of faith in the future.

“From a performance standpoint, (drummer) Dustin (Barnak) is the unsung hero of this track. His rhythmic approach drives the song in a way that naturally pulls you along. Its placement on the album feels like a turning point, the kind of song that signals the end of an album side and invites you to keep listening.”

8. “Morning Star”

“Without question, ‘Morning Star’ is our strongest love song to date. It is interesting how vulnerable we can be in this context, considering how heavy much of our music is. That freedom comes from writing without fear and following instincts rather than expectations.

“Musically, the pre-choruses are my favourite moments. They are brief but set up the chorus perfectly. The song also draws heavily from classic rock influences, which makes it especially exciting to perform.

“About three-quarters of the way through, there is a full-band instrumental break that captures how we communicate without words. Moments like that remind us of our chemistry as a band, when everyone locks in, and the reaction is simply, ‘That was incredible.’

“The song is dedicated to Leo’s wife, Erica, who has witnessed the evolution of both the band and Leo’s career. It is about loving someone fully and without limits.”

9. “Angel”

“When I first wrote ‘Angel’ in August 2021, I was thrilled and eager to share it. Early feedback from songwriter rounds in Nashville was strong, so I brought it to the band with high expectations.

“They hated it.

“I was devastated. It took a lot of effort to help everyone understand why the song mattered to me, especially since it stood apart from the heavier material we were writing at the time.

“The song reflects my love for the Nashville sound and serves as a quiet thank-you to the music that influenced me during my time on Broadway.

“It was inspired by a woman I developed a deep connection with, someone I still have not met in person. Our friendship formed during a chaotic time in my life, and she became a source of comfort and light. She knows exactly who she is.

“The band ultimately gave the song the care it deserved, and I will always be grateful for that.”

10. “By The Gallows”

“Plain and simple, this is a murder ballad.

“We have always loved classic murder ballads in rock music, songs like ‘Hey Joe’ and ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night?’ This track is our modern blues-infused take on that tradition.

“We leaned into stoner-rock influences and had a lot of fun experimenting in the studio. The intro and outro are designed to loop seamlessly, created by reversing guitar feedback and detuning sounds layered with heavy breathing. It sounds complicated, but the effect is haunting.

“At its core, this song is about revenge after deep betrayal.”

11. “Sol De Superstición”

“This song started as a lighthearted instrumental jam we used to warm up during rehearsals. Leo came up with the melody, and we kept finding reasons not to let it go.

“Eventually, we decided to record it as a segue to break up the heavier moments on the album, almost like an intermission in a play.

“It is also a fun showcase of our chemistry as a band. Dustin had no idea what was happening during the session. We recorded the guitars to a click track, then looped the song while he created his drum parts on the fly. Meanwhile, we muted the control room and let him play take after take, encouraging him over the talkback mic. After about an hour, we realized we had everything we needed.”

12. “Cloak & Dagger”

“At the time this song came together, we were listening to a lot of nu-metal. Bands like System of a Down, Slipknot, Deftones, and Nine Inch Nails were heavy influences.

“The song was born from frustration with the music industry. We had experiences where promises were made, contracts were broken, and opportunities never materialized. In one case, Leo and I were placed on a television show and assured that it would change everything. Instead, it led to empty updates, broken agreements, and legal fallout.

“Ultimately, the artists were left behind while others benefited. ‘Cloak & Dagger’ is our response to that betrayal.”

13. “Mother”

“There is an end of the road for everyone, including our parents, the people we never want to imagine losing.

“This song reflects what it means to be present for your mother or father in the final stages of life. It captures the confusion, grief, and role reversal that happens when the people who once protected you begin to fade.

“Even in death, parents often reassure us that everything will be ok. That act of selflessness, offering comfort while facing the end, is a love unlike any other.

“The weight of the choruses mirrors that emotional cry. Leo also shines on this track, performing all of the lead guitar parts despite his role as bassist.”

14. “Thin Ice”

“This is the first acoustic song we have ever recorded, and it felt like the perfect way to close the album.

“The instrumentation and lyrics were entirely written by Leo. The song centers on the loss of a close friend and mentor who passed away unexpectedly in 2024, leaving many people searching for answers.

“It was the final vocal I recorded during the sessions, and that exhaustion and emotional weight come through in the performance. The song is a dedication to losing someone far too soon and the quiet resilience required to carry on.”