William Covert "Brotherhood of Sleep"

Sounds from the USA

22/09/2025 |

William Covert’s new single “Brotherhood of Sleep” is a haunting, immersive journey through the quieter corners of experimental rock. At 5’13”, the track unfolds with glacial patience, weaving together minimalist slowcore structures, neo-psychedelic textures, and jazzy undercurrents into a meditative whole. Drawing clear inspiration from the somber resonance of Codeine, the avant-garde ambition of King Crimson, and the eerie dream logic of Twin Peaks, Covert crafts a soundscape that feels both nocturnal and introspective. Long, echoing delays shape the dynamics with cinematic precision, while sparse instrumentation—anchored by his restrained, deliberate drumming—creates space for tension and atmosphere to breathe. The result is a dark, hypnotic piece that lingers long after it fades, like a half-remembered dream at the edge of consciousness.

A veteran of Chicago’s fertile experimental underground, Covert brings over 15 years of experience from bands like Space Blood, Droughts, and Wet Tropics into his solo work, where he merges live-looped synths with intricate acoustic and electronic percussion. “Brotherhood of Sleep” serves as a compelling preview of his forthcoming third album, Dream Vessel (Fall 2025), which expands his sonic palette through collaboration. Half the album features the newly formed William Covert Trio—with Jack McKevitt on guitar and Nathan Schenck on bass—exploring improvised noise-jazz and slowcore hybrids, while the other half showcases Covert alone, layering Frippertronics-inspired guitar loops, modular synths, and math-rock drumming into ambient, filmic compositions. Rooted in the legacy of Chicago’s boundary-pushing jazz and post-rock scenes—and informed by icons like John Zorn, John Carpenter, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra—Covert’s music is both cerebral and deeply felt, a testament to the power of restraint, space, and sonic exploration.