Why I Wont Talk About Sleep Token

Ever found yourself scrolling through YouTube, hoping for that one video that spills all the "behind the curtain insights" on a massive band like Sleep Token? Yeah, we get it. The allure of knowing the exact vocal chain, drum samples, or synth patches is strong. But George Lever, the producer behind records like Sleep Token’s Sundowning and Loathe’s I Let It In and It Took Everything, dropped a video titled "Why I Wont Talk About Sleep Token," and it wasn't about NDAs or lawsuits. It was about something far more crucial to a lasting career in music production: trust.

Let's be real, knowing how to dial in a killer guitar tone or program earth-shattering drums is vital. But if you can't build and maintain trust with the artists you work with, your access to those cool sessions will dry up faster than a forgotten floor tom mic. So, let's unpack what really matters beyond the console.

The Clout Chase: Why Spilling Secrets Sinks Careers

It's tempting, right? You’ve just finished a killer record, and your lizard brain is screaming, "Tell everyone! Get those internet points!" You could share engineering insights, the building blocks of songs, and maybe get a temporary dopamine hit from online praise. But what’s the real cost?

Trust: Hard Earned, Easily Shattered

Building a solid relationship with a band, like the one George describes with Sleep Token, takes an insane amount of trust. This isn't just about keeping session details under wraps; it's about artists feeling safe, respected, and understood. That trust is incredibly delicate. One misstep, like blabbing about their creative process for a few likes, and it’s gone. Poof. And once it's broken, good luck trying to glue it back together.

Internet Points vs. Real Relationships

Imagine this alternate reality: you spill the beans on a project. You get some fleeting online attention. Sweet. But then the band feels their trust was mishandled. They might not even tell you directly; they just go quiet. Next thing you know, they’re working with another producer for their future projects. You're left wondering what happened, probably crying into a pizza, and you'll likely never work with them again. That "selfish want for validation," as George puts it, is pure, unfiltered danger for your career. This isn't specific to high-profile bands; it applies to every artist relationship you build.

Managing the "I Did This!" Itch (Without Being a Dick)

Okay, so we’ve established that discretion is key. But let's be honest, that deep-seated need for validation – "I need you to know that I did this thing!" – is hard to shake, especially when you're starting out or even when you're a seasoned pro. You’ve poured your heart and soul into a project, and you want people to recognize your contribution. That’s natural! It’s what helps build your reputation and, ultimately, leads to more work and, y’know, money to buy more gear (or pay rent).

The trick isn't to suppress that feeling entirely but to become smarter at "attending to it in a way that benefits both of you." It's less about shouting your accomplishments from the rooftops and more about a "hand in hand" approach with the artist.
Think about it:

• Let the Work Speak (with Permission): When a track you’ve worked on gets released and the band is promoting it, that’s your cue. Sharing their posts, celebrating the release, and being credited appropriately (with their blessing) is the professional way.
• Focus on Process & Learning: Instead of "Here's the secret snare sample for X band," talk about your general philosophies, techniques you’ve honed, or creative challenges you've overcome without naming names or specifics unless cleared. This is where platforms like Nail The Mix shine, offering a space where artists have consented to their multitracks and processes being shared for educational purposes. You can learn how to get those pro results, and that killer portfolio will be your best validation.

The Real Talk: Building Bulletproof Artist Relationships

So, if it’s not about having a "perfect string of words" to magically win over every artist, what does work? George brought in his dad for some old-fashioned smart thinking, and the advice is gold for any producer.

Ditch the "Magic Script" Fallacy

There's no single sentence or pitch that will make everyone want to hire you. Every artist, every band, every human is different. Trying to use a one-size-fits-all approach is a recipe for awkward conversations and missed connections.

It’s About THEM, Not YOU: The Power of Listening

This is probably the biggest takeaway. So many people, when trying to network or land a gig, make it all about themselves: "I've got this, I do this, I'm brilliant, blah blah blah." Stop transmitting and start receiving.

• Center your questions around the artist: What do they need? What do they want to achieve with this record? What are their influences, their vision?
• Ask about their past experiences: What’s worked for them before? What hasn’t? What did they love about a previous production? What frustrated them? Understanding their history helps you avoid pitfalls and tailor your approach. For instance, knowing their sonic goals – whether it’s achieving a specific guitar character with precise EQ strategies for modern metal or getting drums to punch through with clever metal compression secrets – starts with truly listening to their desires.
• Use open-ended questions: Instead of "Do you like distorted bass?" try "How do you envision the bass sitting in the mix and what kind of character are you hoping for?" This gets them talking and gives you way more insight.

Active Listening & Observation: Your Unsung Superpowers

When an artist is talking, actually listen. Don't just nod while formulating your next question or rehearsing your sales pitch in your head.

• Be present: Absorb what they're saying, their tone, their body language.
• Use what you observe: Let their answers and your observations inform your follow-up questions and how you present your own skills and solutions in a way that directly addresses their stated needs. This "good old-fashioned smart thinking" is about adapting to what's right in front of you.

Beyond the Gear: The Intangibles That Keep Bands Coming Back

At the end of the day, having the fanciest "vintage microphone," the most "extortionate helpful gear," or the biggest "big dick energy amplifier" (as George hilariously puts it) won't matter if artists don't trust you or enjoy working with you. The environment you create and the strength of your relationships are paramount. These are the "untangibles," the unspoken "above and beyond" elements that keep artists coming back time and time again.

Perfect communication and solid relationship-building set the stage for any level of success, even before you hit record or open a session in your favorite DAW (whether it’s Pro Tools, Reaper, Logic, or Cubase). These skills ensure that your technical abilities – like knowing how to use that FabFilter Pro-Q 3 for surgical cuts or when to deploy a Slate Digital VBC to glue your mix together – can actually shine because you’re working with the artist towards a shared vision.

Want to see how world-class producers put their technical skills to work on real sessions from bands like Periphery, Gojira, and Opeth? That’s what Nail The Mix is all about – you get the multitracks and watch the original producers mix them from scratch, explaining every plugin choice and every decision. It’s an incredible way to Unlock Your Sound and see how these pro-level mixes are crafted.

But remember, those technical skills are amplified tenfold when paired with genuine trust and stellar communication. So, while you’re learning all the killer mixing techniques, don’t forget to cultivate the relationships that will give you the chance to use them. As George says, "Stay safe. Don't be a dick and eat your goddamn vegetables." Sage advice for music production, and life.