In an industry obsessed with what’s next, longevity is often overlooked.
Trends come and go. Genres evolve. Scenes rise, peak, and fade. Yet somehow, through nearly two decades of change, Sienna Skies has continued to do what they’ve always done: make music on their own terms.
When we sat down with members of the Sydney-based band, the conversation wasn’t about chasing algorithms or fitting neatly into a genre. Instead, it became a discussion about authenticity, creativity, friendship, and what it takes to stay passionate about music after twenty years.
And if there was one phrase that perfectly summarized Sienna Skies, it was simple:
“No rules.”
A Band Built Without Boundaries
Ask Sienna Skies to describe their sound, and you’ll quickly discover they aren’t interested in easy answers.
The band’s catalog has always existed somewhere between emo, pop-punk, post-hardcore, alternative rock, and metalcore. Rather than choosing a lane, they’ve spent years exploring all of them.
“We like to just sit in a room and see what comes out when we write. We just take a song where it needs to go.”
For Sienna Skies, songwriting isn’t about fitting into a genre.
It’s about following the song wherever it naturally leads.
That freedom has allowed the band to evolve continuously without losing their identity. While trends have shifted around them, they’ve remained committed to writing music that feels authentic rather than strategic.
Watching Australian Heavy Music Conquer The World
One of the most fascinating moments of our conversation came when the band reflected on the Australian alternative scene.
Long before arena tours and festival headliners, Sienna Skies shared stages with bands that would eventually become some of the biggest names in heavy music.
Northlane.
Polaris.
Thy Art Is Murder.
Parkway Drive.
Many of those artists were once simply local bands playing small rooms throughout Western Sydney.
Looking back now, the band can only laugh at how surreal it feels.
“There was something in the water in Western Sydney.”
Today, Australian bands dominate lineups across the globe. Nearly every major heavy tour features at least one Australian act, something that wasn’t always the case when Sienna Skies first started.
Watching friends and peers rise to international success has been both inspiring and rewarding.
Not because they expected it.
Because they witnessed it happen from the beginning.
If You Don’t Believe It, Why Should Anyone Else?
The heart of the conversation centered around authenticity.
While discussing songwriting, touring, and the resurgence of alternative music, one idea kept resurfacing again and again: people can tell when something is real.
For Sienna Skies, that’s always been the goal.
To create music that feels honest.
To write lyrics that mean something.
To avoid saying things they don’t believe.
“If we don’t believe it, then we don’t want to hear it.”
It’s a philosophy that’s become increasingly important as modern music becomes more crowded and attention spans continue to shrink.
The band believes listeners are still searching for something genuine.
Something human.
Something they can connect with.
And that’s exactly why alternative music continues to thrive.
While mainstream trends change every year, the need for emotional connection remains constant.
The Story Behind “Elated”
One of the highlights of our conversation was discussing the band’s recent single, “Elated.”
What began as a reflection on gratitude and embracing the band’s accomplishments quickly turned into one of the funniest stories of the interview.
During the writing process, the band was searching for the right lyrics to fit the melody.
The first suggestion?
“I wanna die.”
The second?
Apparently:
“I want some fries and gravy.”
It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes moment fans rarely get to hear about.
But it’s also a reminder that even after twenty years, Sienna Skies still approaches music with the same sense of humor and creativity that got them started in the first place.
“If it’s not fun, why are you doing it?”
After twenty years, that’s a difficult argument to disagree with.
Learning To Trust The Process
One of the biggest changes in the band’s approach hasn’t been their sound.
It’s been their patience.
In earlier years, deadlines often dictated the creative process. Songs needed to be finished. Records needed to be released.
Now, the band allows songs the time they need to become the best possible versions of themselves.
Instead of rushing toward completion, they’re focused on refinement.
Experimentation.
Growth.
The result is a band that’s more confident than ever in its creative identity.
Not because they’ve figured everything out.
Because they’ve learned how to trust themselves.
Looking Forward
As Sienna Skies approaches its twentieth anniversary, the future looks as exciting as ever.
Upcoming tours with Hawthorne Heights, Memphis May Fire, and blessthefall are set to put the band in front of some of their largest audiences in years.
New music is already in the works.
And after nearly two decades together, the excitement remains unchanged.
That’s perhaps the most impressive part of Sienna Skies’ story.
Not the tours.
Not the records.
Not the longevity.
It’s the fact that after twenty years, they still sound like a group of friends who genuinely love making music together.
No rules.
No shortcuts.
Just five musicians continuing to create because they still believe in what they’re building.
And after all this time, that authenticity might be their greatest strength.
MISFIT MAGAZINE 
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