Answering The Call With JOSHUA WADE From SIENNA SKIES

Interview by Kris Peters
Australian metal outfit Sienna Skies are set to finally shake the
lingering shadows of COVID once and for all when they hit the road
in the next two weeks for a run of four dates with US heavyweight
act Of Mice & Men and their long-time mates and touring
companions Dream On Dreamer.
After a prolonged absence from the stage, Sienna Skies are setting
themselves for an all-out sonic assault when they open the highly
anticipated tour in Adelaide on February 23, desperate to blow off
the cobwebs and even more excited to be performing a collection of
new songs live for the very first time.
Despite the setbacks Sienna Skies suffered as a direct result of
the pandemic, they elected to take their time in getting back into
the daily grind of the music industry, choosing instead to put the
finishing touches on an EP that was created in the midst of
adversity. They have released a steady succession of singles taken
from that EP, which will be out on March 8, each of which showcases
a more vulnerable side of the band while still retaining the
dynamic foundations upon which their sound has always been
built.
HEAVY caught up with bass player Joshua Wade to find out
more.
"We're really excited to be a part of it and the opportunity," he
smiled when I mentioned the tour. "I can't wait to get back out
there on the road."
We ask Wade if the nerves have set in yet.
"The nerves are catching up with us at the moment because it's been
so long since we've played live due to COVID and everything," he
replied. "We had an extra long break over COVID writing material so
to actually be coming back and playing some shows in some big rooms
with some friends… yeah it is starting to catch up on us a bit. But
we are looking forward to it. It's been a long time, and we can't
wait to do what we do."
In terms of time on the road this isn't a massive tour with only
four dates, but the pressures of returning to the stage coupled
with the expectations that come with supporting a major
international band would still be difficult to suppress.
"Every show is different," Wade measured. "Every market's different
and every tour is different. We have known Dream On Dreamer ever
since they started being a band, and we were bands coming up
together in the same scene. When it comes to Of Mice & Men, we
have both known of them in passing before, but never played with
them, although we have seen them at other shows and festivals
abroad. Vibe wise I think it's going to be stellar. Everyone is
going to be stoked and have a great time. Everyone online looks
like they are super keen for the shows so that helps with the
nerves, knowing it's going to be a super comfortable environment.
But to answer your question, there's not really much else to do
except just get up there and do what we've always done (laughs). As
I said before it's been a while so we are just super excited and
can't wait to get our hands on our instruments in front of people
and do it again."
In the full interview, Joshua talks more about the feelings Sienna
Skies will be going through before hitting the stage, being chosen
- along with Dream On Dreamer - by the band themselves to support
the tour, the fact two Australian bands have been chosen as
national supports and the benefits of that to the local music
scene, their mindset going into each show and how they approach
their set, writing set lists that play to the band's strengths
while also hopefully appealing to Of Mice & Men's crowd, the
new songs they will be playing live as well as the upcoming EP,
what to expect sonically from the release, their EP launch shows
later this year and more.