Lani Hernandez-David, like countless music enthusiasts, will be attending Sleep Token’s Download Festival performance this weekend. However, the 22-year-old holds a unique distinction: he played a pivotal role in the band’s remarkable ascent.
Sleep Token, known for their chart-topping debut album and viral hits, maintain anonymity behind custom-designed masks. Lani is the creator of several of these iconic masks.
Operating from a small South London studio, Lani’s passion for mask-making and costuming began at age 11. His earliest latex creation remains a testament to his journey.
Initially honing his skills through online tutorials and showcasing his work, Lani’s creations caught the eye of Sleep Token’s drummer, who contacted him via direct message.
Initially suspecting a scam, Lani confirmed the message’s authenticity through verification and a recollection of a previous Sleep Token performance. The realization dawned: “Oh, this is that band I saw.”
Collaborating with the band on design concepts, Lani embarked on the challenging task of crafting the masks, an experience he describes as “nerve-wracking,” given the scale of the project.
Sleep Token debuted Lani’s creations at their sold-out 2023 Wembley Stadium show, a moment he vividly recalls: “When they came out wearing my masks I just pinched myself,” he told BBC Newsbeat. “I remember thinking: ‘That was made on my kitchen table – that’s insane.'”
Since then, Lani, who maintains a second job at a costume shop, has received commissions from other bands, a process he approaches methodically. He immerses himself in each artist’s work, stating, “You never know what will inspire from the music, the lyrics, back into the mask-making.”
Lani attributes significant professional growth to his experience with Sleep Token, using his learnings to enhance his craft continuously.
Music journalist Emma Wilkes highlights Sleep Token’s genre-bending appeal, blending metal with pop, R&B, and trap influences. Their meteoric rise, particularly since their 2023 album *Take Me Back to Eden*, has been unprecedented.
Their latest album, *Even in Arcadia*, achieved chart-topping success, generating a top 10 single. However, this success has also drawn considerable criticism, with some labeling their music as “metal music for Disney adults.”
Wilkes expresses surprise at the level of vitriol directed at the band, suggesting that while their unique sound might not resonate with all listeners, the intensity of the negative reaction is unexpected.
The band’s masked identity is often cited as a mere attention-grabbing gimmick; however, Lani believes their music’s inherent strength transcends the visual elements. He asserts that the carefully curated lore surrounding the band significantly contributes to its appeal.
Sleep Token’s success appears to have inspired other masked bands, notably President, also performing at Download this year. Lani, having worked with President as well, views this trend positively.
While his dream client remains Slipknot, Lani is content with his current trajectory, fulfilling a long-held ambition. He’s now recognized as “the guy that does the band masks,” and envisions a future focused on independent creative endeavors.
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