Photo Credit Alex Avedissian
Insomniac will be playing Joint Jam at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs on 10/10/2026
Interview: Van Bassman, vocalist and guitarist for Insomniac from Atlanta, Georgia.
RRX: Like songs, every artist has a unique feeling about their first show. What was your first show like? Was it your best show? If not, what was your best show like?
VB: My first performance with Insomniac was wild. I began writing lyrics and vocal duties right before the pandemic, but we were all so busy at the time, and then everything shut down. I worked on my own every night, building vocal layers on demos in my home studio and sending them to the band for notes and approval. As things got back to normal, we were able to meet, rehearse, and record what became our debut record, Om Moksha Ritam. It was a few years in the making before our first live performance together. The room was electric! It was packed with friends and family who had been waiting to hear what we had labored on for so long. I’m proud to say we delivered. It was an incredible set, and it was amazing to finally share what we had been working on. I remember driving home and ruminating on how important it was that we finally got to share this.
RRX: We all get a little support from those around us. And we also can be impressed by our fellow performers. Who do you admire in your community, and why?
VB: Absolutely! It can be a real treat to watch your friends perform their hearts out night after night. We’ve been fortunate enough to hit the road with a number of pros, and if you pay attention, you can learn something from everyone. I’d highly recommend checking out Vanishing Kids, Howling Giant, Slumbering Sun, Dead Register, and Crystal Spiders. They all spring to mind for various reasons, but what they have in common is their musicianship, work ethic, kindness, fellowship, and camaraderie. I admire them all, and am always stoked when our paths cross.
RRX: Artists, musicians, we immortalize. We set it in stone. Is there anyone who has passed that you feel you have immortalized in your work? If so, can you tell us a little about them?”
VB: Sadly, we lost our dear friend and guitarist Mike Morris right before the record came out. Adding to my vocal duties,I picked up the guitar to honor his work and spread the music he worked so hard to create with the rest of the band. It wasn’t easy, mentally or physically, to connect with him in this manner and to learn his parts, but it was rewarding, and it was the right thing to do. Mike was the coolest. I’d wager he had a hundred writing credits in his lifetime. He was laid back, funny, and one hell of a guitarist and friend. Every Insomniac performance, past, present, and future is dedicated to his memory. If you can find them, you should check out some of his other projects. Brass Knuckle Surfer, Novocaine, Witches Brew, Metal McDonald, and Zoroaster are all very different and incredibly enjoyable collections of his work through the years.
RRX: Sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Or so they say. Whether you’re off the wagon, on it, or never been, there’s something you got a thirst for. What are some of your basically harmless vices?
VB: Well, we’ve all got our own thing: roller coasters, national parks, breakfast, etc. It can be hard, but we try our best to make time for stops to break up the road. As a result of our travels, Juan and I finally got to experience Cedar Point, one of the best theme parks in the country. If we can sneak off to catch some air, you know we will! On one of our early tours, Amos picked up a parks pass. Since then, I think we’ve hit something like 17 national parks across the country. We’ve taken album photos in White Sands, gone spelunking at Carlsbad, and gazed upwards at the Redwoods in California; we’ve been lucky enough to spend time in some of the most beautiful areas of the US. And, of course, there’s always time for breakfast. It’s likely the most dangerous vice in this list, but I’ve learned it really is the most important meal of the day no matter what time you find it. This group has been excellent about supporting each other’s interests and taking the time to enjoy the flowers along the path.
RRX: What would you like fans to know before they come to see you play? (No basic stuff; get specific.)
VB: Ours is a meditative set guiding the listener through an aural journey. We intend to ride the rhythmic waves of the universe, and we would like you to share this trip with us.
RRX: How does practice go? Is the road practice enough, or do you have a practice shack? If so, how does it look? What’s on the walls? What cool sh*t is in there?
VB: We rehearse weekly in a small spot in a warehouse in Atlanta. It’s full of flyers from different performances, a lot of gear, a shrine to Mike, and a door no one can open. It’s special. It’s loud. It’s home. What we build in there together allows us to share time and space with the rest of the country, and for this we are grateful.
Visit insomniacvibes.com for more information
