Emerging from the dynamic San Diego music scene, Insomnia has swiftly gained some recognition for its mighty sound and profoundly introspective lyrics. Insomnia consists of guitarist and front-person Noah Lares, bassist Johnny Avila, and drummer Danny Avila, and the band blends raw emotion with an experimental edge they’ve dubbed “No-Wave Grunge.” With the release of their debut album Idiosyncrasy earlier this year, Insomnia has solidified their position as a band to watch, captivating audiences with their ability to alter solemn themes into a purifying listening experience. Let's see what the band has to say about their journey, creative process, and the meaning behind their music.

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Starting right at the beginning, Insomnia formed in early 2022 with their debut demo EP White Noise. After the release of this EP, Johnny Avila (bassist) joined the band to collaborate on the band's first album titled That's It, which was released in July of 2022. After the releases of both the 2022 EP and album started to gain some traction, the band knew they were in the perfect position to start to dive into the world of live performance fully. With this next step came the recruitment of Danny Avila (drummer), and the rest is history.

Curious about the band's name, I asked what inspired the title of "Insomnia," which led to an interesting story.

The band shares, "In early 2022, Noah Lares struggled with a sleepless week in which he passed the time by writing and recording home demos and compiling them into a body of work for streaming. Upon distributing the endeavor, Lares was reluctant in releasing the songs as an individual and chose to take the path of using a pseudonym as a means of escapism. Given the circumstances of how the music came about, and after much internal deliberation on the matter, Insomnia seemed like a fitting name for what was now taking form as a band."

Wanting to learn more about their most recent release, the album Idiosyncrasy, I was able to get some insight into what the recording process was like for the band.

"Idiosyncrasy is and was the band's first major collaboration as a true three-piece," the band shares.

Intending to create and execute something that the band was proud of, Insomnia delivered a beautifully well-done album that listeners can relish and interpret for themselves to help navigate whatever they are currently going through or experiencing. With the release of Idiosyncrasy, a more polished and distinct Insomnia sound was let out into the wild. Listeners and publications crowned the band with the genre title of "No-Wave Grunge," which perfectly describes the sonic expereince and tone that new fans will have to look forward to upon discovery.

In regards to the recording process itself, as other musicians might know, there are always challenges that can be hard to navigate which Insomnia, like all other bands, of course experienced. But, despite the typical bumps in the road, the band was able to experience a very intimate and comfortable process due to their past experiences recording and releasing music as they dived deeper into refining their sound.

When asked about what songs on the album were the band's favorites, it obviously differed from member to member. But the band did state that, "Two we can agree on would have to be Fleabag and Smother. These are songs that reflect deeply on the very personal human experience. Fleabag is a raw and gritty exploration of self-loathing and the yearning for redemption, while Smother delves into the suffocating weight of guilt and unmet expectations." 

Performing live is an aspect of being in a band that Insomnia has truly locked in over the past couple of years, with the band's favorite part of live performing being the ability to connect with the audience. This connection can range from intense, high-energy stage movement transferred from the band to an audience member, or the simple act of people standing, politely bopping their heads along and truly taking in the entire live experience.

"A particular moment we enjoy from just about all of our shows would have to be the appearance of the Rat Pope. It is always a joy to see the faces of those who know along with those who are experiencing the event for the first time." 

At its core, Insomnia's music dives into themes of self-reflection, isolation, mortality, and guilt, completely highlighting the human experience as a whole. By taking the heavy emotions we all experience and expressing them in lyrical metaphors that trigger a sense of relatability on multiple scales, Insomnia wants listeners to know they are not alone, no matter how unique or complex one's situation may be. As music can connect us, the band takes the opportunity to do so with pride.

Sonically, Insomnia highlights the concept of juxtaposition. Dynamically jumping from a whirlwind of mighty highs and bellowing lows. With this dynamic, they intertwine it with the overall meaning of their music as a whole, letting listeners ride the way with their heart and their ears.

"At its heart, the band’s music is about connection, resilience, and the catharsis found in confronting personal and universal truths."

As Insomnia continues to develop, they remain committed to pushing limitations and assembling music that echoes on a deeply human level. With more music and innovation on the horizon, Insomnia invites listeners to join them on this journey of connection, reflection, and sonic exploration. Be sure to follow them on their platforms and experience the transformative power of Idiosyncrasy for yourself.

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