By Staff Writer: Alexis Klask
Alternative band, Sleeper Agent, put on an impressive show on Tuesday, April 8th despite having a smaller crowd than the usual concerts at The Loft in Lansing.
While The Loft holds nearly 400 people, about 60 came in support to see Sleeper Agent. It was their first performance touring as the headlining act to promote their new album, About Last Night. The minimal amount of people however did not halt them from starting the tour off with a bang.
Formed in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Sleeper Agent (consisting of six band members) released their first album, Celebrasion, on August 2, 2011. They have lead singer Alex Kandel, vocalist and guitarist Tony Smith, drummer Justin Wilson, Lee Williams on bass, Josh Martin playing lead guitarist, and Scott Gardner on the keyboard.
Kandel absolutely blew me away. I had seen Sleeper Agent perform at The Shelter in Detroit a few months ago when they opened for Magic Man who opened for New Politics and her performance then was fantastic. When I heard they were coming to Michigan and specifically to Lansing, I was so ecstatic and recruited my friend to get tickets as soon as possible.
Upon seeing Sleeper Agent at The Loft, two bands went on before them so their set list had not begun until 9:30, whereas the doors had opened at 7:00. It was well worth the wait though.
They had a few light devices used that were changing colors in a strobe-like effect during a loud, jamming-out section of a song and the outcome was more than successful. Kandel was jumping up and down and singing as loud as she possibly could. Being in the front, she would look down at my friend and me while singing. She interacted with the crowd throughout her performance and in my opinion that’s the best thing a performer can do because it makes the audience’s experience so much better.
Vocal help came from Smith who also happened to be Kandel’s fiancé. During certain songs Kandel would hold the microphone between the two of them where they would harmonically sing into it while holding each other. We could all see the connection between them and it made the song they were playing a lot more interesting and special.
The crowd went wild for the songs Waves and Get Burned given that the local radio station here, 94.1 The Edge, has constantly been playing Waves as preparation and promotion of their concert. They have also played Get Burned multiple times prior to Sleeper Agent’s performance in Detroit this past February.
After the concert I was given the chance to meet with the band where I asked Kandel (having not known yet), if she and Smith had some sort of relationship going on. She told me they had been engaged for quite a while to which I reacted by grabbing her arm and jumped up and down. I apologized after but she said it was alright and jumped with me.
I met with every band member and it dawned on me on how down to earth they were. They were so kind and realized that talking to their fans and treating them like normal people rather than lunatics, was the way to gain positive feedback.
I asked when they are coming back and they all replied they most likely will soon.
They are hoping Magic Man (having performed with them earlier that year and forming good friendships) will finish their album soon so that Magic Man and Sleeper Agent can tour together.
If and when that concert is announced, my tickets will be bought about five seconds after I hear the news and will gladly wait outside hours before the show in order to see them front row once again.
Below are links to their songs. The first is Get Burned in which I feel like most people know it but don’t listen long enough to find out. Head to their website (second link) below where the newest album is posted using Spotify and can be listened to for free.
http://aboutlastnight.sleeperagentmusic.com/
