In a music landscape dominated by fleeting TikTok trends and short attention spans, Sleep Theory isn’t just going viral — they’re building something meant to last.
Frontman Cullen Moore recently sat down to talk about the band’s highly anticipated debut album Paper Hearts, their emotional evolution, and why connecting with fans means more than topping charts. The Tennessee-based rock outfit might be newcomers in the spotlight, but their drive, talent, and message come from a place of true authenticity.
From TikTok to Tour Buses
It wasn’t long ago that Sleep Theory was just another band trying to break through the noise. But thanks to the massive success of their debut single “Another Way”, which blew up online in 2023, they found themselves on a rapid rise. Viral moments can come and go — but Sleep Theory used theirs as a springboard.
Cullen Moore recalls the whirlwind of suddenly having millions of eyes on them. “That first single hit in ways we never imagined,” he said. “But what we didn’t want was to be just ‘the TikTok band.’ We had something bigger to say.”
And now, with Paper Hearts set to drop on September 13 via Epitaph Records, they’re saying it loud and clear.
Vulnerability as Power
The new album dives deep into the emotional trenches. Moore says the songs are packed with raw, honest reflections on love, loss, mental health, and self-acceptance.
“There’s a lot of me in this record,” Moore shared. “It’s about finding strength in vulnerability. About dealing with your past and owning who you are — especially when the world wants you to be someone else.”
Moore, who is Black and bisexual, emphasized how important it was for him to make space for all parts of his identity in his art — especially in the rock scene, where representation is still catching up.
“You don’t see a lot of people who look like me in this space, and that’s something I want to change,” he said. “I want other kids to see us and think, ‘I belong here, too.’”
‘Paper Hearts’ Is a Message — and a Movement
If their debut EP Reflection introduced Sleep Theory to the world, Paper Hearts is a full-blown conversation. Moore says the album title reflects how fragile yet powerful emotions can be — like paper, they can fold, tear, or fly.
The band isn’t shying away from layering heavier lyrical themes with their signature hook-driven, anthemic sound. Tracks like “Gone or Staying” and “Fallout” are expected to hit with both sonic force and emotional resonance.
And for Moore, this record isn’t just about personal catharsis — it’s about building a bridge between the band and every listener who’s ever felt invisible.
What’s Next? Growth, Gratitude, and Going Hard
As Sleep Theory gears up to hit the road with I Prevail, Halestorm, and Hollywood Undead later this year, Moore is focused on staying grounded and connected.
“We’re just a group of dudes making music we believe in,” he said. “But seeing how people connect to it — man, that’s the real reward.”
Moore hopes that Paper Hearts not only resonates with listeners emotionally but also helps carve out more room in rock for voices like his.
“I want people to know they can be themselves — fully, loudly, and unapologetically. That’s what this band is about.”
