Q&A: dune reaper’s Debut Single “forever asleep” is a Shot of Energy
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY GIGI KANG ☆
IF YOU’RE BALANCING CHASING YOUR DREAM—with the demands of daily life, dune reaper get it.
The alt-metal duo’s debut single “forever asleep” touches on themes of perseverance, financial hardship, and nonconformity.
The song acknowledges the difficulties of making a living: “I’ve been working ‘till my fingers bleed / I can’t pay the bills.” But it also refuses to lose hope: “I just need to shed this skin / power comes from within.”
The band describes the track as “a rallying cry for those yearning to break free from the shackles of routine and embrace their true passions.”
Burlington, Ontario-based dune reaper consists of Nathanael Smith and Hunter Murray. As you can tell from our conversation below, there’s an ease in their approach to music. That doesn’t mean they’re not dedicated to creating what they envision—they simply trust each other and follow the flow.
The pair’s friendship is at the core of the band. Smith and Murray first met at work on a construction site and their love for music quickly brought them together. They’ve worked up to 60 hours a week, but have continued chiseling away at their shared musical dreams.
Read Luna’s full conversation with dune reaper below.
LUNA: Because it was such a challenge getting “forever asleep” together, how do you feel now that it is finally being released?
SMITH: Some weeks weren’t as crazy as 60 hours, but being so far apart still made it tough to find time to write and record. Feels good to finally get the ball rolling after all the time struggles.
MURRAY: Feels good.
LUNA: The song was recorded in a single session and you’ve previously said, “Our band’s chemistry played a key role in achieving a high-quality sound quickly.” What role does your friendship play in your creative process?
SMITH: Honestly, our friendship and chemistry make writing super easy, so I wasn’t even surprised at how big we ended up sounding. We just hang out and the ideas flow.
MURRAY: Nate says, “What about this riff?” I say, “Cool, dude. What about these drums?” And he says, “Cool, dude.” Then we just chill and talk about clouds.
LUNA: This is your debut single but it sounds like you’ve been playing for a while. Are you self-taught?
SMITH: Funny enough, we weren’t aiming for a polished sound. The riffs and drums are tight, sure, but the mix is meant to be raw and gritty—it’s the kind of debut people either vibe with or don’t. Yes! I’m self-taught on guitar from YouTube (laughs).
MURRAY: I’ve been drumming since before I could get boners. I stopped once I could get boners ‘cause that took priority. It’s nice to be drumming again now that I have everything under control. We’ve only been playing as a band for a short time so the possibilities are endless.
LUNA: Tell me a bit about the instrumental. What did the process look like for you when deciding what this song instrumentally needed to sound like?
SMITH: We basically wanted the song to sound all over the place like one big emotional rollercoaster. The drums and guitars flip moods, going from slow and clean to super heavy and distorted.
MURRAY: Nate has the vision, I smile and nod. I’m honestly just happy to be here.
LUNA: How do you stay dedicated to your dream while balancing your full-time jobs? Would you have any advice for someone in the same situation?
SMITH: All we can really do is keep writing. If our band is going to get anywhere, it’ll be from hard work, not luck. If I had to give advice to a new band like us, I’d say make a plan, stick to it, and just keep going.
MURRAY: No idea, I’m drowning.
LUNA: “forever asleep” is great fuel for getting through a difficult day. What kind of music do you guys listen to when you need motivation? Any specific artists?
SMITH: Lately, I’d say any early Black Sabbath or Motörhead record.
MURRAY: I only listen to Kesha’s early work. My favorite song lately is “Backstabber.” That gets me rock hard and ready to rumble with whatever comes my way.
