Meet Bran Merritt | Sleep Nation – Vocals / Guitars / Keys – Alternative Rock Band

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bran Merritt and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bran, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
Surrender: 40 songs, One Story by Bono is an autobiography that I’ve recently picked up and consumed. I feel like I can always pick up an autobiography and get into it really easily. This one was especially the case because I am already a huge fan of U2 and Bono. I’ve always felt close to Bono because he is also a musician who lost his mother at a young age, similar to my story. While reading the book, it was great to see Bono take such a terrible event in his life, and make such a big space with his music in a rock band. He used his platform to influence world leaders for change, aid under-privileged nations in need, and use his gifts, despite a challenging childhood, to change the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My name is Bran Merritt. I’m the vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and keyboards for the alternative rock duo from Nashville, Tennessee, Sleep Nation. The biggest challenge that we’ve overcome as a band happened in early 2020. Our guitarist and bassist decided to leave right as everything was shut down from Covid. Joey Lauretta and myself were left unsure of what to do. We didn’t even know if we wanted to continue. Thankfully, we decided to utilize backing tracks and continue Sleep Nation as a 2-piece. Since we made that decision, we’ve written more songs and become more experimental.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would eat at Emmy Squared Pizza, then we would go to Short Mountain Distillery for the spirits. The most important part would be attending a concert at the Caverns in McMinnville.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Bryanna Licciardi, is a creator in her own right. She encourages me to pursue music, spend late nights working on music, and playing shows. Before her, I didn’t realize that a woman of her caliber existed. She absolutely drew me in with the way she was able to use words in poetry that were never seen before in that genre. She understands and supports my passion while maintaining her own. She is releasing her First Full-Length Poetry Book at the end of this year. I couldn’t be more proud and excited.

Website: www.slpntn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepnationtv

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sleepnationband

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sleepnation

Youtube: www.vevo.com/artist/sleep-nation

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepnationtv

Image Credits
1st Photo – Ryan Hillier / Other Photos – Castleberry Studios